Secretary of the Army Says Military Ready to Lift Gay Ban

[I AM NOT THAT GUY 5,715]

SANTA BARBARA, Calif., Oct. 26 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- The Secretary of the

Army, John McHugh, indicated this weekend that the Army is prepared to lift

the ban on openly gay service if the Commander-in-Chief and the Congress

decide to end the "don't ask, don't tell" policy, a prospect that has gathered

steam in recent weeks. McHugh, formerly a Republican congressman from the

conservative 23rd district of New York, is the highest official inside the

Pentagon to express such support. He told the Army Times on Sunday that there

was no reason to fear that major difficulties would result from lifting the

ban, and that he would help implement the policy change when the time comes.

"The Army has a big history of taking on similar issues," he said, with

"predictions of doom and gloom that did not play out." He also suggested that

repeal may come in phases, with early action involving, for example, allowing

open gays to serve in some occupations and not others.

"What we're seeing is a tipping point in the opinions of both military and

civilian leaders on this issue," said Dr. Nathaniel Frank, senior research

fellow at the Palm Center. "The Army is the largest of the services and the

most heavily involved in our wars abroad, and for Secretary McHugh to state

clearly that it can handle repeal sends a strong signal to the other service

secretaries that they can do the same."

Dr. Aaron Belkin, director of the Palm Center, said Secretary McHugh's

comments were enormously significant. But he pointed out that there is no

research to support the idea of letting gay soldiers serve in some units but

not others. "The rationale for the ban applies equally across all job

categories," he said. "So if it's okay to be an openly gay Arabic interpreter,

it's also okay to be openly gay in the infantry or on a submarine. Since

conduct rules apply across the board, there's just no basis for applying

different standards to different specialties."

The Palm Center is a think tank at the University of California, Santa

Barbara. Since 1998, the Center has been a leader in commissioning and

disseminating research in the areas of gender, sexuality, and the military.

For more information visit www.palmcenter.ucsb.edu.

University of California, Santa Barbara, CA 93106-9429, (805) 893-5664,

www.palmcenter.ucsb.edu

Available Topic Experts: For information on the listed experts, click

appropriate link.

Aaron Belkin

https://profnet.prnewswire.com/Subscriber/E...e.aspx?ei=90488

Nathaniel Frank

https://profnet.prnewswire.com/Subscriber/E...e.aspx?ei=85094

http://www.reuters.com/article/pressReleas...009+PRN20091026

[I AM NOT THAT GUY 5,715]

McHugh finds himself at the center of debate over Obama’s pledge to repeal the law banning open service by homosexuals.

In the interview, McHugh carefully avoided offering his personal views on the issue, saying his job now is to provide input to Obama on how to make the change and to talk with members of Congress about the issue.

Selling the idea to Congress, which has the final say, could depend on exactly what the administration tries to do in terms of the timing of repeal and how it is applied, McHugh said.

It’s possible, for example, that homosexuals could be allowed into some occupations or units but barred from others, McHugh said, stressing that he was not aware of any such plans but only discussing how the issue might play out.

“I don’t want to prejudge the situation,” he said. “I am saying if he did that, it would be my job to explain it when the appropriate time comes.”

When asked specifically if lifting the gay ban would seriously disrupt the military, as predicted by those who oppose repeal, McHugh said there is no reason to think major turmoil would ensue.

“Anytime you have a broad-based policy change, there are challenges to that,” he said. “The Army has a big history of taking on similar issues, [with] predictions of doom and gloom that did not play out,” he said.

http://www.armytimes.com/news/2009/10/army_mchugh_102409w/

[one...two...tree 2,762]

[Chica Yeyé 41]

Excellent news. If people serve in the armed forces putting their lives on the line, it is but appropriate that their lives be respected.

[almaty 19]

true dat

[mawilson 2,133]

There was a ban? I thought it was "don't ask, don't tell"?

[I AM NOT THAT GUY 5,715]

There was a ban? I thought it was "don't ask, don't tell"?

They want to change the policy to "out and proud".

[w¡n9Nµ7 §£@¥€r 123]

Will they also be gayifing the uniforms?

[pedroh 21]

very good

now waiting for the arguments:

-but straight people are gonna be uncomfortable in the showers (because of course, all gays check out straight people)

-the morale is gonna go down

-etc bs etc bs

[Danno 1,228]

How are the going to handle those "trans gender" folks who want to serve?

Don't tell me we are only going to give "some people" the right to serve openly.

[scandal 951]

The lack of sensationalist coverage of this in the media is telling.

The fact that this thread only got to 10 posts (including a 'bump' from Bill) is also telling.

15 years ago during the Clinton administration, this was a sensational issue and would have been round the clock on cable news.

Our culture changes. Attitudes change. Sometimes, surprisingly quickly.

Don't be surprised to see things like gay marriage adopted throughout all 50 states in a decade or so from now, with as little commentary as open military integration of gays is about to do now.

[Chica Yeyé 41]

How are the going to handle those "trans gender" folks who want to serve?

Don't tell me we are only going to give "some people" the right to serve openly.

Dude, if what you called "those people" are willing to pout their lives on the line to save your sorry azz, you bet they should be allowed -and honored- as any other combatant, #######.

[Danno 1,228]

How are the going to handle those "trans gender" folks who want to serve?

Don't tell me we are only going to give "some people" the right to serve openly.

Dude, if what you called "those people" are willing to pout their lives on the line to save your sorry azz, you bet they should be allowed -and honored- as any other combatant, #######.

According to Obama's web site, the only qualification will be "a willingness to serve".

Call up a recruiter and see if they still have the height requirement? (they do)

See if the Blind are now allowed to serve or those taking seizure meds or any of the hundreds of conditions which exclude perfectly suitable citizens from service.

in fact, Obama is full of ####### on this issue: speaking before even having a grasp of the subject matter..... as if he is back smoking pot and postulating about life in his dorm room.

The reason this isn't a news story of any size is because..... after 10 months of looking and reading reports, he only found one general who agrees with him.

[Danno 1,228]

And another thought....

I really don't need a Homosexual to "save my azz" nearly as bad as I could use one to help decorate my living room (I hate trying to put colors together).

[mawilson 2,133]

I really don't need a Homosexual to "save my azz"

Because they have an ulterior motive for saving your azz?