Sexual Behavior and Security Clearances: Navigating Guideline D
In 2026, the federal government’s evaluation of Guideline D (Sexual Behavior) has shifted. Adjudicators are rarely concerned with an individual's private sexual preferences. Instead, they focus on whether the conduct is criminal, indicates a lack of judgment, or—most importantly—makes the individual vulnerable to coercion or blackmail.
Prostitution, Escorts, and the Risk of Blackmail
Engaging with prostitution or escort services, even in jurisdictions where it may be legal or "decriminalized," triggers several adjudicative red flags:
Guideline D (Sexual Behavior): Focuses on whether the conduct is "compulsive, self-destructive, or high-risk."
Guideline J (Criminal Conduct): Prostitution remains illegal under federal law and in most U.S. states.
Guideline E (Personal Conduct): If an applicant is not open about this behavior with their family or employer, they become a prime target for foreign intelligence services looking to use "honeytraps" or blackmail.
The Polygraph Factor
For those in the intelligence community (IC), these issues often surface during a polygraph examination. The danger is often not the act itself, but the omission of the act on the SF-86. A "lack of candor" (Guideline E) regarding sexual behavior is frequently cited as a reason for clearance revocation more so than the underlying behavior.
How to Mitigate Guideline D Concerns
To defend your clearance against sexual behavior allegations, we focus on:
Transparency: Demonstrating that the behavior is known to relevant family members, thereby removing the threat of blackmail.
Cessation: Proving the behavior was a past indiscretion that has stopped and is unlikely to recur.
The Passage of Time: Highlighting the time that has elapsed since the last incident without further issues.
Professional Counseling: Showing that any underlying compulsive behaviors have been addressed through therapy.
If you have questions or concerns about your security clearance, contact the Security Clearance Professionals, at securityclearancepro.com, asya@securityclearancepro.com, or call (904) 884-5891.
