Comments on: Frank comes out in opposition to Hagel nomination http://www.washingtonblade.com/2012/12/31/frank-comes-out-in-opposition-to-hagel-nomination/ the gay community's news source Fri, 24 May 2013 14:51:55 +0000 hourly 1 By: Peter Rosenstein http://www.washingtonblade.com/2012/12/31/frank-comes-out-in-opposition-to-hagel-nomination/#comment-88499 Peter Rosenstein Tue, 01 Jan 2013 00:25:00 +0000 http://www.washingtonblade.com/?p=55652#comment-88499 While I rarely disagree with Barney and he is a hero of mine- in this case I am not sure that Hagel should be opposed for comments he made 14 years ago and that he has now apologized for.Things are very different for the LGBT community today and many people’s views of our community have changed 180 degrees in the past decade. I know that is thanks to people like Barney.

I am willing to trust President Obama that he would not appoint anyone who is not committed to fully implementing the repeal of DADT and making sure that Gays and Lesbian’s are fully integrated into the military and receive every benefit that every other person serving our nation is entitled too. Should he appoint him and then Hagel not move forward on that I would hold President Obama responsible.

]]> By: Rebecca Juro http://www.washingtonblade.com/2012/12/31/frank-comes-out-in-opposition-to-hagel-nomination/#comment-88479 Rebecca Juro Mon, 31 Dec 2012 19:35:31 +0000 http://www.washingtonblade.com/?p=55652#comment-88479 I'm with Barney Frank on this one. In addition to the reasons Frank cited, I'd add that issuing a statement in which Hagel claims to be "committed to LGBT military families" indicates that Hagel doesn't understand that the repeal of DADT applied solely to gays and lesbians and it's still very much open season on transgender military personnel in the US armed forces. That kind of ignorance on LGBT issues, especially from a former Senator and someone being considered to be the top civilian leader of our military short of the President himself, concerns me greatly and it should concern anyone who cares about finishing the job of opening the option of military service to all able and willing Americans.

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