Fewer gay
translators discharged in 2004

The number of Arabic translators dismissed from the U.S. military due to their sexual orientation dropped dramatically in 2004, according to Pentagon data released Thursday. Only one gay Arabic language speaker was discharged this year, and no Farsi speakers were let go. In contrast, between 1993 and 2003, 54 Arabic and nine Farsi speakers were dismissed under the military's "don't ask, don't tell" policy. The reason for the decrease in 2004 is unclear. "The military may be firing fewer Arabic experts for homosexuality to avoid public embarrassment during a time of dire shortages of Arabic linguists," said Nathaniel Frank, senior research fellow at the Center for the Study of Sexual Minorities in the Military in Santa Barbara, Calif. The military has come under intense criticism during the past few years for releasing any translators--even the gay and lesbian ones, who are required to remain in the closet under "don't ask, don't tell." There's a shortage of Arabic speakers who are crucial when it comes to intercepting messages between terrorist organizations. The latest data was requested by the center and Rep. Marty Meehan. The Massachusetts Democrat is sponsor of the Military Readiness Enhancement Act, which seeks to repeal "don't ask, don't tell" and replace it with a policy of nondiscrimination on the basis of sexual orientation. He recently announced that 100 cosponsors on Capitol Hill have signed on to the bill. According to Meehan, taxpayers spend more than $20 million a year enforcing "don't ask, don't tell." Meanwhile, the cost to taxpayers for recruitment and training to replace discharged gay and lesbian soldiers is at least $200 million and could be significantly higher. (Neal Broverman, Advocate.com)