Navy Secretary Compares ‘Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell’ to Racial Segregation

ashley.rae | June 8, 2016
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During a Department of Defense Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender (LGBT) Pride Month ceremony, Secretary of the Navy Ray Mabus compared supporting “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell” to supporting racial segregation.

Mabus said, “Although it took way too long for policy to match reality, and while there’s still work to be done, we’ve made a lot of progress toward achieving DOD Pride’s goal of ensuring that all members of the Department of Defense are empowered to support its mission in an inclusive workplace free of discrimination.”

“Now, a statement like that just shouldn’t be controversial. It shouldn’t be a problem. But, just five years ago, an event like this would not have been possible,” Mabus continued.

“There were those in uniform, on the Hill, and in the American public who favored continuation of ‘Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell.’ That policy required LGBT service members to lie, to hide in order to serve. It’s a policy that was insidious and morally wrong. Throughout this debate over it, those of the opposing the repeal of ‘Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell’ used exactly the same flawed logic as those who had earlier opposed racial integration or gender integration, claiming the policies of inclusion would erode the war fighting capabilities of the United States.”

“That’s a suggestion that’s not only an insult to the professionalism of our Armed Forces, but it undermines our core values as servicemen and women and as Americans.”

Later in his speech, Mabus repeated his position that “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell” is similar to opposing integration.

“When we faced racial integration, when we integrated women into the service, when we repealed ‘Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell,’ every time those changes were proposed—every time—there were naysayers saying the force would be weakened and unit morale would decrease. And yet, the Navy, the Marines, the Army, the Air Force, the Coast Guard are the most powerful forces in the world today and it shows that a more diverse force is a stronger force.”

Mabus also took the opportunity during the event to applaud the U.S. Supreme Court decision in Obergefell v. Hodges, which legalized gay marriage in all 50 states, and the confirmation of Eric Fanning, an openly gay man, as Secretary of the Army.

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