FRC Urges Pentagon to Postpone Opening Military to Homosexuality

WASHINGTON, Sept. 19, 2011 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Family Research Council (FRC) today urged the Pentagon to postpone allowing open homosexuality in the military, which is scheduled to begin tomorrow. FRC also called on Congress to hold hearings to determine whether the Obama administration exerted pressure on high ranking military officials in its rush to overturn the law, commonly referred to as "Don't Ask, Don't Tell."

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Family Research Council President Tony Perkins issued the following statement:

"The American military exists for only one purpose – to fight and win wars. Yet, tomorrow, the U.S. military becomes a tool in reshaping social attitudes regarding human sexuality. Using the military to advance a liberal social agenda will only do harm to the military's ability to fulfill its mission.

"I thank House Armed Services Committee Chairman Buck McKeon (R-CA) and Rep. Joe Wilson (R-SC) for making one last effort to persuade Defense Secretary Leon Panetta to postpone lifting the ban on homosexuality in the Armed Forces. They correctly note that the Pentagon has yet to finalize 'all the policies and regulations necessary for the transition.'

"Members of Congress are still waiting for answers to their questions about how opening the military to homosexuality will affect issues of religious freedom, conscience exemptions and same-sex partner benefits. Congress doesn't even have copies of the rule changes itself.

"There is also disturbing evidence that this administration has twisted the arms of a certain high-ranking military officer to get him to change his congressional testimony. The episode – confirmed by the Daily Beast – is the latest in a string of incidents that have given Republicans sudden fodder for questions about whether the Obama administration is politically interfering in routine government matters that affect donors or fundraisers.

"Congress should hold hearings to find out whether this happened during the debate over 'Don't ask, Don't Tell,'" concluded Perkins.

SOURCE Family Research Council