Cases against gay, lesbian airmen will continue

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Posted by Administrator in Military on February 19, 2010  |  0 Comments More from this author  |

Gay and lesbian airmen who disclose their sexual orientation will be dismissed even though the “don’t ask, don’t tell” law is under review by the Pentagon, according to the service’s top civilian leader.

“We are continuing to process those cases,” Donley replied when asked whether the service would wait to act until the Defense Department finishes its assessment, which should be in 45 days.

Donley declined to discuss specific cases such as the potential dismissal of Lt. Col. Victor Fehrenbach, an F-16E Strike Eagle weapons systems officer who was outed by an acquaintance.

The review, ordered by Defense Secretary Robert Gates, will address whether an airman who is outed violates the ban on gays serving openly.

The number of airmen dismissed because of their sexual orientation has steadily declined in the past few years, Donley said. The Air Force let go about 100 airmen in 2006, compared with about 75 in 2009, he said.

In his State of the Union address, President Obama told a joint session of Congress that he wants the ban lifted.

“The president as commander in chief has answered the question of whether this legislative change will be pursued, and the answer is ‘yes,’” Donley told the several hundred airmen who came to hear him speak. “We know this will be an issue of interest to all airmen and is certain to generate much discussion.”

Donley warned the audience that the Air Force cannot be “pulled into the political debate” and that it should “add light and not heat to the discussion.”

Beyond legal issues, Donley said, the Air Force will advise the Pentagon on how repeal of the law could affect unit cohesion and military readiness.

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