Members of the LGBTQ community within the intelligence sector, who have expressed feeling “silenced or purged” during the Trump era, now seem to be planning their return to intelligence roles, as reported by HUMINT founder and intelligence correspondent Sasha Ingber.
Ingber mentioned in a Substack post that she attended a “resignation party soiree” at a gay karaoke venue in Virginia, which also celebrated former CIA analyst Julia Curlee. Curlee, who was the first CIA officer to openly transition and continued in her position until she was laid off in the early part of President Trump’s second term, had previously gained media attention, as reported by PBS News.
The invitation for this gathering humorously suggested, “Come join the Deep State plot against the regime,” Ingber shared.
She noted, “There was more than just sadness over being silenced or purged; there was anger at being seen merely as ‘DEI,’ at being unable to utilize their invaluable skills to serve a country they had vowed to protect.” Ingber observed a certain steadfastness in their belief, along with a desire for justice and to return to their roles.
In a video posted on Substack, Ingber pointed out that attendees were visibly frustrated about being characterized primarily by their identity, which felt superficial—just about appearance or sexual orientation.
“This was the strong impression I got,” she said, “that they felt pressured and pushed out for engaging in what is now often stigmatized as DEI work. They’ve lost their positions and feel reduced to a label that minimizes their true expertise.”
Ingber elaborated on the critical skills these individuals possess, indicating that many wish to remain in their jobs. There’s a hope that when a new administration takes over, things might change for the better, allowing opportunities to return, even if the support they once had isn’t replicated exactly. She expressed a sense of duty in sharing these developments.
“It struck me as significant that the advocacy surrounding DEI is far from finished,” she added.
Curlee was not immediately available for comment.
On August 17, Curlee published an op-ed in The Atlantic, revealing that the Trump administration had relied on her until her transgender identity became widely known. She remarked, “As I walked out with my belongings, I understood the warning: ‘Be discreet.’ I had been needed, but once my identity was public, every contribution I had made was disregarded. My service, my experiences in conflict zones—none of it mattered. I became seen as the wrong kind of American.”
The Trump administration has notably implemented widespread restrictions on DEI initiatives throughout the nation.
