At our GayPatriot LA dinner last night, a reader told me that earlier in the day she had heard conservative talk radio host Mike Gallagher, a staunch opponent of gay marriage, call or the repeal of Don’t Ask/Don’t Tell (DADT), the Clinton-era policy banning gay people from serving openly in the military.
It’ll be interesting to see if, in the coming days, any of the gay groups highlight Gallagher’s support of gay people serving openly in the military. The Service Members Legal Defense Nework (SLDN), perhaps the least partisan of the gay organizations, did issue a release yesterday touting a Gallup poll showing that a majority of conservatives favor gays serving openly in the military:
Majorities of weekly churchgoers (60 percent), conservatives (58 percent), and Republicans (58 percent) now favor repealing the “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell” law, up 11 to 12 percentage points from 2004.
While my reader reported that many of Gallagher’s listeners called in to criticize his position, in coming out against the ban, he does represent a majority of conservatives.
Let us hope gay leaders reach out to Gallagher and get him to speak out more often on this issue. They may not like all of his stands, but he may be able to do something to help repeal the ban. And he does have credibility on the right and, as from what I understand, among the military.
This goes to show that just because someone holds a position at odds with the gay establishment on one issue doesn’t mean he will disagree on every issue. “Opinion,” as Michael Barone obseves,”is not arrayed on a single dimension, but flies all over the place in two or three or even four dimensions (which is to say it changes over time).” And so it is on gay issues, where someone can oppose state recognition of gay marriage, yet support the open service of gay men and lesbians in our armed forces.
Let’s hope gay groups give Gallagher some credit for publicly speaking out against DADT and find ways to work with this outspoken conservative to repeal that gratuitous legislation.
I have zero opposition to gay patriots serving in the military. But, I expect gay militants to make sure that the gays are outed and to push for recognition. I have no reservations about gays being able to carry out the military mission. I have great reservations about the military being able to carry out the mission of militant gays.
As a supporter of DADT, I absolutely support gay men and lesbians serving in the U.S. armed forces. Hooha!
Hooah!.
Hooha is female genetalia.
#3 – Really? I thought it was another term for one’s backside.
Regards,
Peter H.
We have the finest military in the world. In the long run, that military will be even stronger if it includes the bravery and talent of all our citizens, including gay men and women who have already proven their ability and desire to serve our country.
http://axisofreason.com/2009/07/09/time-to-repeal-don’t-ask-don’t-tell/
I think people take the Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell suggestion so seriously.
This entire country is hoping for a Don’t Ask Don’t Tell world! (not going where you think)
I am an IT Recruiter for several large Corporations in Chicago.
I have to prep people when they interview that if they are going to work their school schedule around their work schedule, not to bring up the fact that they are in school.
So because they are a diverse environment, they can interview in drag, but if they are going to school, they have to keep it a secret or they will fail the interview.
Face it.. our country went to extremes. And there is no way back.
Perhaps 2012 we can start over again.
I am an infantry lieutenant colonel who is ready for the DoD to lift the gay ban. Our Soldiers are flexible, tolerant and ready to put this unconstitutional provision in the past. DADT had its place but it falls short of providing life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness to gay military citizens. We should not make them live their military lives with fear and uncertainty.