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Foreign Military to Advise on DADT Repeal


MILITARY MARINES X390 (GETTY) | ADVOCATE.COM

Military experts and officials from foreign forces that allow openly gay troops are scheduled to convene in Washington, D.C. to discuss integrating gays and lesbians into the U.S. armed services.

The summit this spring, coordinated by the Palm Center, will include officials from NATO member militaries as well as the Israel Defense Force.

Aaron Belkin, director of the Palm Center, notes that there are 25 foreign forces that do not ban gays from service, and they can offer lessons to the U.S. as it looks to remove its ban.

A study by the Government Accountability Office submitted to Congress in 1993 showed that the presence of out gay service members in the four countries without a gay ban at the time had "not created any problems in the functioning of military units." Last week Adm. Mike Mullen, chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, told the Senate Armed Services Committee that in his discussions with NATO allies and others that allow open service by gays (including Canada, Australia, and the United Kingdom), he found that there was "no impact" on military performance.

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FILE UNDER:  DADT

Reader Comments
  • Name: Celia
    Date posted: 2/9/2010 3:34:44 PM
    Hometown: Boston

    Comment:

    Ah yes, the progressive and forward thinking Europeans!! Such bastions of human rights especially gay friendly Russia!! I seem to remember some tidbit from history regarding massacres by the British in India, brutal repression of the Algerians by the French and the Russians are truly beloved by their gay community, who cannot even hold a gay parade in Moscow. The list of atrocities committed by Europeans goes on and on. I am happy that SOME European contries have fully integrated their military but lets not assume that means that those governments are any less sleazy than this one. And to the previous posters, spare me your tongue in cheek elitist bullshit. Europe has a long and distinguished history of human rights violations so for those that live in a glass house.....

  • Name: john in SF
    Date posted: 2/9/2010 5:43:02 AM
    Hometown: San Francisco

    Comment:

    Why don't they house the gay men with the women? Do we really want to be in there with them anyway? Besides, we know we would outperform them within a short period of time. Maybe, that is what they are afraid of, a gay unit that is superior to a straight one.

  • Name: Ashamed to be American!
    Date posted: 2/8/2010 11:37:09 PM
    Hometown: CA.

    Comment:

    HA!HA! The United States is such a sham. The leader in Human Rights. What a fucken joke this country full of religious obsessed bumpkins is! U.S.A. is now a third world country. Will the egomaniacal buffons really listen to and take advice from other countries? Fat Chance. Maybe they can come up with seperate barracks and all gay divisions within the armed services . The American Taliban also known as Focus On The Family or "Christians" run this country and will never allow gays to live in equality. Seven years till I retire and Spain, Canada, or the E.U. looks like the place to flee .

  • Name: Russianduude
    Date posted: 2/8/2010 10:23:45 PM
    Hometown: Raleigh

    Comment:

    This country is so insane that it needs confirmation from foreign nations that the skies have not fallen on Australia and the UK. Heck, Kansas-grown Rebiblican retards wouldn't know if it did, so yeah, let them hear first-hand evidence from people who live abroad.

  • Name: daftpunkydavid
    Date posted: 2/8/2010 8:50:21 PM
    Hometown: nyc

    Comment:

    at wes and eric: i swear the "and others" was not there when i read this the first time lol. i read the sentence like 3 times to make sure i wasn't missing anything haha oh well. next time i'll be sure to copy and paste so i have proof!

  • Name: Wes
    Date posted: 2/8/2010 7:58:54 PM
    Hometown: Kansas City

    Comment:

    hey daftpunkydavid, "NATO allies and OTHERS"...I thought all caps might help with your reading and comprehension skills.

  • Name: Clayton
    Date posted: 2/8/2010 7:51:44 PM
    Hometown: chicago

    Comment:

    I agree with Mark's pessimism but I also think that if the military takes this policy change upon themselves--that is they own it and continue to build a momentum of support coming from within the military--it might be difficult for republicans not to toe the line. The army is essentially a republican organization.

  • Name: Debbie Downer Sighting
    Date posted: 2/8/2010 7:22:42 PM
    Hometown: Here

    Comment:

    There's been a Debbie Downer sighting! Right here! In the comments below!!

  • Name: Mark
    Date posted: 2/8/2010 6:20:10 PM
    Hometown: Wappingers Falls

    Comment:

    All these panels and studies will be worthless unless Congress repeals the unconstitutional DADT prior to November when the Republicans take control of Congress and have vowed to never repeal it!

  • Name: Eric
    Date posted: 2/8/2010 4:47:17 PM
    Hometown: RI

    Comment:

    It doesn't say Australia is a NATO member. Where did you learn to read? ;-) Pay attention before griping. Eric



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