William White,
the gay president of New York's Intrepid Sea, Air, and
Space Museum, is being named as a possible Navy secretary in
the Obama administration.
White, who has
been with the museum since 1992, according to
Newsday, would be the first openly gay chief of
a military branch. The secretary is a civilian position,
meaning his appointment would not be a direct
violation of the military's ban on openly gay and
lesbian service members.
Members of
Congress and retired members of the Joint Chiefs of Staff
have contacted Obama's transition team, urging him to
pick White.
Retired general
Hugh Shelton said White "would be phenomenal." He
added that White's extensive background as a fund-raiser for
veterans' and military causes would be helpful in the
job. Congressman Jerrold Nadler said White is "very
capable" on the basis of observing his work at
the Intrepid, located on the Hudson River, which is in
Nadler's district. Nadler added that White has been a
friend of service members and their families through his
work with the museum and philanthropic
efforts, according to The Washington Times.
Aubrey Sarvis,
executive director of the Servicemembers Legal Defense
Network, told Advocate.com on Thursday that White's
appointment would have resonance in Washington.
"I think his
appointment would have have an influence on the culture
at the Pentagon," Sarvis said. "It would be a significant
statement to others in the military branches." He also added
that repealing the military's ban on openly gay and
lesbian troops is seemingly a top priority for the
incoming Obama administration. Sarvis expects the
president-elect will work with the new Congress to
shape a bill ending the ban.
However, some
observers are not happy that White is being considered for
the position. Elaine Donnelly, president of the Center for
Military Readiness, said White's appointment as Navy
secretary would be "demoralizing to the troops,"
according to the Times. She added, "It's a matter of
judgment, and I think that would be very poor judgment on
the part of the commander in chief." (Michelle Garcia,
Advocate.com)
