NASA Historical Investigation Into James E. Webb’s Relationship to the Lavender Scare: Final Report

Excerpt:  “In response to concerns about the name of the James Webb Space Telescope and whether James Webb had promoted anti-LGBTQI+ policies during his leadership, NASA launched an extensive investigation in 2021 into James Webb’s role during his time in leadership at the State Department from 1949 to 1952 and at NASA from 1961 to 1968. The agency’s investigation sought any available evidence placing James Webb within the context of the ‘Lavender Scare,’ a time when the outing and firing of LGBTQI+ individuals in the executive branch was a harmful and discriminatory federal policy. … The investigation closely examined two instances in which James Webb appears in the historical context around the Lavender Scare. The report found Webb’s primary involvement was to attempt to limit Congressional access to the personnel records of the Department of State. None of the evidence found links Webb to actions or follow-up in pursuit of firings after these discussions.”