Marine Commandant Says He’s ‘Fine’ With Gay Marines Bringing Their Partners To Marine Corps Ball

[w8liftinglady]

http://thinkprogress.org/lgbt/2011/10/21/349852/marine-commandant-says-hes-fine-with-gay-marines-bringing-their-partners-to-marine-corps-ball/

Marine Commandant Gen. James Amos — who strongly opposed the repeal of Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell last year — told NPR’s Morning Edition yesterday that he is “very proud” of how the Marines have handled the repeal of the policy last month. “I’m very pleased now,” Amos said and explained that his previous statements in support of the ban were expressing the hesitancy for change within the Marine Corps.

Amos also came out in support of gay Marines bringing their same-sex partners to the Marine Corps Ball:

NPR: How comfortable are you with the idea of a gay couple showing up?

AMOS: I’m fine with it. I’m fine with it. I expect it to happen, I expect it to happen across the Marine Corps. And I mean, that’s part of the repeal of Don’t Ask, Dont’ Tell. I mean, that’s part of it. You can’t go half way. You can’t say we’re going to repeal it and you now can become public, but I’m going to restrict your behavior. We’re not going to do business that way.

[joeybee12]

1. KNR...sounds like a great guy willing to learn

[xchrom]

2. Hmmmmm. Nt

[msongs]

3. Marines Corps is loaded with closet case gays....

who joined thinking it would turn them into "real" men. Now what are the closet dudes gonna do lol

[MadMaddie]

4. I am guessing that he had many high level Marines come out

to him and he realized that they were good soldiars.

Good for him for leading by example..

[noamnety]

5. But they will be discharged from service

if they attend the ball with their sleeves rolled up.

I'm glad he's shifted his attention to something else, anyway.

[ProgressiveProfessor]

6. In the upcoming cutbacks, I expect to see most out Marines to leave

The encouragement might be subtle, but without a war going on...barracks politics will be king

[roguevalley]

7. they have an approved reading list of books to promote literacy

they want to make their branch stronger. doesn't surprise me in the end. I think he was worried it wouldn't be good rather than having a problem with it personally. IMO

[William769]

8. Well at least now when someone says to you "oh yea you & what army"...

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