Voices

The new policy is “a shattering disappointment for millions of gay, lesbian and bisexual Americans.”

--Tim McFeeley of the Human Rights Campaign Fund, nation’s largest gay political group

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‘This policy basically says,’Just don’t get caught in the act,’ which encourages deceitful and duplicitous behavior.”

--Lou Sheldon of the Traditional Values Coalition, a grass-roots Christian lobby

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‘Before the military kicked you out for lying. Now they will throw you out for telling the truth. What’s the big difference?”

--Donald Suggs, Gay and Lesbian Alliance Against Defamation

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‘My initial reaction is positive, because the policy appears to set forth standards of military conduct that are consistent with traditional military practice.”

--Sen. Sam Nunn (D-Ga.), Senate Armed Services Committee

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‘We’ve created a whole separate class called the celibate homosexual. . . . This so-called compromise does nothing but compromise our national security.”

--Rep. Robert K. Dornan (R-Garden Grove)

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‘It doesn’t bother me one way or the other. If the person can perform their job, that’s the key.”

--Tech Sgt. John Murphy, 18-year Air Force veteran