America’s first openly gay military officer
IMPORTANT UPDATE: The story of an appointment to the Georgia National Guard for Sir Ian McKellen isn’t true. He was appointed to the Governor’s “aide de camp” in the 1990s, but not the National Guard. For more see the NY Blade.
So it seems that on the same day a federal judge says an openly lesbian woman can’t be re-instated to the Armed forces and that despite the United States Military’s ban on openly gay, lesbian and bisexual servicemembers, America now has one, and only one, openly gay officer in the Armed Forces.
According to an PlanetOut Network (PNO) article from Yahoo! News, British actor Sir Ian McKellen, who stars in the hit movie The Da Vinci Code, was honored by Georgia Governor Sonny Purdue by being named a lieutenant colonel in the Georgia National Guard.
Each state’s national guard and reserve units fall under the authority of United States Military codes and laws, including the Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell policy (which is actually federal law, not just a “policy”).
According to the article:
Sir Ian, out since 1988 and knighted by Queen Elizabeth in 1991, was a founder of the British gay rights group Stonewall. He has been active in many gay causes — in 2002, for example, he was among a group of celebrities calling on the European Unionto pressure Egypt to free 23 men imprisoned for being gay.
Perdue’s office did not respond to PlanetOut Network’s requests for comment. That may be because, according to Chuck Bowen, executive director of Equality Georgia, they’re a bit embarrassed by the news.
“We had a good laugh in our office when we heard about this,” Bowen said. “I’m pretty sure they didn’t know (McKellen) was openly gay, or they wouldn’t have given him the honor.”
Bowen explained that, in the American South, being named a colonel is a huge deal, a way of recognizing distinguished citizens. But Perdue is on the record as opposing marriage equality and supporting “don’t ask, don’t tell,” and much of his base feels the same way.
Steve Ralls of the Servicemembers Legal Defense Network thinks Perdue should not rescind the honor, but rather take the extra step to say a man like McKellen is worthy of sharing a foxhole with a straight soldier.
“Perdue gave this honorary appointment to Sir Ian McKellen because he thought it was the right thing to do,” Ralls said. “And he should extend the same privilege to gay and lesbian members of the Georgia National Guard who don’t want to serve in silence.”
Whether Perdue rescinds the award, ignores the issue, or starts waving a rainbow flag, “don’t ask, don’t tell” will be an issue in Georgia in the coming weeks.
The city council of Atlanta, a relative LGBT oasis surrounded by red-state conservatism, is working with Equality Georgia to draft a resolution to repeal “don’t ask, don’t tell.” If it passes, Atlanta will be the fifth U.S. city, after Palm Springs, New York, San Francisco, Los Angeles and St. Louis, to adopt such a measure. Bowen said its chances of passing are good.
Tomorrow morning I’m calling the Office of the Governor of Georgia, the White House, the Department of Defense/Pentagon and my Senators and House Representative.
Just what is happening here? An openly gay British actor can be in the military but people who serve us day in and day out, putting themselves in harm’s way can’t? Honored and distinguished American citizens who just happen to be gay can’t serve (or are forced to serve in silence and fear), but some famous gay guy from across the pond can?
This is hypocrisy and an injustice and tomorrow my government and the government of the State of Georgia is going to hear it. (I’ll be polite tomorrow though… I promise, lol)
About the Author: Matt
3 Responses to “America’s first openly gay military officer”
This is ironic, that Ian would be so-honored. It should make for some lively discussions in Georgia over the next few weeks.
As for the military DADT policy. When I was in the Air Force, long before DADT, during the Reagan buildup, the military wasn’t as gay hostile as generally believed. Yes, it was official policy/law that if you were gay you could be discharged for that reason alone. The DADT policy changed it so that you not only had to be gay, but open about it.
In reality when I served was that as long as you didn’t try to be flagrant about it, it was not a problem. Note that this was also true with straight folks. There were policies against PDA of all types (PDA = Public Display of Affection. Holding hands was considered just as bad a PDA as kissing). Of course, if you had a homophobic commander it could be bad, but that is true in the regular workplace.
After my years of being gay while in the Air Force, and my being gay was no secret by any means, I do not get as exercised about DADT. Over the years, having talked with others in and out of the services, both gay and straight, it is not an issue usually. It can be if you want it to be, but not if you don’t.
Maybe one day if I start getting regular at my blog I will go into a lot more detail on this. My experience shows me it’s not as bad as it is painted.
By Michael on Jul 27, 2006
The Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell Policy represents government endorsed and sanctioned discrimination. Yes… it is bad and it needs to go.
By Matt on Jul 27, 2006