John Ashcroft has reversed his order cancelling a Gay Month celebration by gay employees of the Justice Department. The NYTimes is offended that his decision still "has downgraded the event to unofficial status and wants the group to pay for it." It doesn't mention whether the employees want paid time off for this event.

Would the department pay for an employee event celebrating heterosexuality, marriage, families or womanhood? Gay rights advocates claim that they aren't demanding special rights. If that is true they shouldn't be asking for official status or financial support.