Ex-generals, admirals: Repeal policy on gays

[unhappycamper]

Ex-generals, admirals: Repeal policy on gays
By Brian Witte - The Associated Press
Posted : Tuesday Nov 18, 2008 5:43:13 EST

ANNAPOLIS, Md. — More than 100 retired generals and admirals called Monday for repeal of the military’s “don’t ask, don’t tell” policy on gays so they can serve openly, according to a statement obtained by The Associated Press.

The move by the military veterans confronts the incoming administration of President-elect Barack Obama with a thorny political and cultural issue that dogged former President Bill Clinton early in his administration.

“As is the case with Great Britain, Israel, and other nations that allow gays and lesbians to serve openly, our service members are professionals who are able to work together effectively despite differences in race, gender, religion and sexuality,” the officers wrote.

While Obama has expressed support for repeal, he said during the presidential campaign that he would not do so on his own — an indication that he would tread carefully to prevent the issue from becoming a drag on his agenda. Obama said he would instead work with military leaders to build consensus on removing the ban on openly gay service members.

“Although I have consistently said I would repeal ‘don’t ask, don’t tell,’ I believe that the way to do it is make sure that we are working through a process, getting the Joint Chiefs of Staff clear in terms of what our priorities are going to be,” Obama said in a September interview with the Philadelphia Gay News.


Rest of article at: http://www.armytimes.com/news/2008/11/ap_military_dadt_repeal_111708/%2e

[jeff30997]

1. I had to Google to know where the Canadian Military stand on this issue...

1992:

"The Federal Court has ordered the Armed Forces to cease discrimination as of this moment.(G&M reported 28 Oct 92 that Chief of Defense Staff General John de Chastelain issued statement confirming that "Canadians, regardless of their sexual orientation, will now be able to serve their country in the Canadian Forces without restriction."

http://www.clga.ca/Material/Records/docs/details/caf.htm

And I found this article (from 2005):

"Two men were married in the chapel at Nova Scotia's Greenwood airbase in May, in what's being called the Canadian military's first gay wedding.
Lt.-Cmdr. David Greenwood, the base's head chaplain, said a sergeant and a warrant officer were married May 3 in front of about 45 guests."

http://www.cbc.ca/canada/story/2005/06/14/militarygaywedding0614.html