Defense Sec. Gates offers ‘more humane’ words, while military board continues discharging gays
”One of the things we’re looking at is, is there flexibility in how we apply this law?… That’s the kind of thing we’re looking at to see if there’s at least a more humane way to apply the law until the law gets changed.”
Robert Gates, Secretary of Defense, who discussing the silly assertion that the military’s Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell policy might have some wiggle room in cases where a servicemember was outed for vindictive reasons rather than voluntarily coming out as gay. (Associated Press)
“The military has no choice but to follow it. We don’t pick and choose what regulations to enforce.”
Lieutenant Colonel Paul Fanning, spokesman for the New York Army National Guard, on the recommendation of a military administrative board to discharge Lieutenant Dan Choi who came out publicly as gay on the Rachel Maddow show earlier this year. (Associated Press)
”All I did was tell the truth. I refused to lie about my boyfriend. His name is Matthew, not Martha.”
Lieutenant Dan Choi of the Army National Guard and an organization of gay West Point graduates called Knights Out. He faces a discharge for coming out publicly as a proud, gay soldier taking a stand against the Armed Forces’ anti-gay military policy known as ”Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell.” (Times Herald-Record)
Support Metro Weekly’s Journalism
These are challenging times for news organizations. And yet it’s crucial we stay active and provide vital resources and information to both our local readers and the world. So won’t you please take a moment and consider supporting Metro Weekly with a membership? For as little as $5 a month, you can help ensure Metro Weekly magazine and MetroWeekly.com remain free, viable resources as we provide the best, most diverse, culturally-resonant LGBTQ coverage in both the D.C. region and around the world. Memberships come with exclusive perks and discounts, your own personal digital delivery of each week’s magazine (and an archive), access to our Member's Lounge when it launches this fall, and exclusive members-only items like Metro Weekly Membership Mugs and Tote Bags! Check out all our membership levels here and please join us today!
