-Caveat Lector- http://www.conservativenews.org/ViewDefense.asp?Page=\Defense\archive\DEF199 90831b.html CNS: Defense Update: 3:22 ET September 1, 1999 Homosexual Reservist Challenges 'Don't Ask, Don't Tell' By Lawrence Morahan CNS Staff Writer 31 August, 1999 (CNSNews.com) - Under the Pentagon's "don't ask, don't tell" policy, the Army Reserve is conducting an informal investigation into the lifestyle of an Arizona state legislator who champions gay rights and makes no secret of his homosexuality. In February, Rep. Steve May, a Republican from Phoenix and a first lieutenant in the Army Reserves, denounced a bill proposed by his Republican colleague Rep. Karen Johnson that would have prohibited using public money to pay for benefits for same-sex couples. "This legislature takes my gay tax dollars, and my gay tax dollars spend the same as your straight tax dollars. If you're not going to treat me fairly, don't take my money," May is quoted in press reports as saying. May's sexual orientation has been public knowledge since he made an unsuccessful bid for the state senate three years ago. Last November he was elected to the state legislature. May's outspokenness, however, forced the Army Reserves to investigate him under the Pentagon's "don't ask, don't tell" policy. Under this policy, which was initiated by the Clinton administration in 1993 under pressure from homosexual activists, recruiters are barred from asking applicants about their sexual orientation, and commanders are forbidden to investigate suspected homosexuality unless there is significant evidence of homosexual conduct. Under the policy, homosexuals are also forbidden to disclose their orientation in a public setting. In its sixth year of operation, "don't ask, don't tell" has been criticized by recruiters and homosexual activists alike. Young recruits disillusioned with military life now can falsely claim to be homosexuals in order to be released from the service, military personnel analysts report, while homosexual activists are citing high expulsion figures as evidence of a homophobic military. Following the publication of several news articles alleging May's homosexual lifestyle, his unit, the Phoenix-based Army Reserves 348th Transportation Battalion, initiated an investigation into May, a spokesman for the Army reserves told CNSNews.com. "He was quoted in the articles as professing his open homosexuality, so the unit commander, upon learning about those news articles, was required to start an informal investigation to determine if he has committed any acts in violation of military policy. The investigation began on August 7 and is ongoing," the spokesman said. "The Army Reserve is working to handle the issue as expeditiously as possible, while ensuring the investigation is thorough and does justice to any parties involved. It's in everybody's interest to get this over and done with," he added. At a news conference held at the Log Cabin Republicans' "Liberty for All" conference in New York this weekend, May said his case "is a clear example of how absurd and ridiculous this policy has become," according to a press release by Log Cabin Republicans. May said he wasn't subject to Defense Department regulations when he was not on active duty, and had made the disclosures about his sexual orientation by the time the Army called him back during a personnel shortage precipitated by the Kosovo crisis. Lewinsky Joins Weight Loss Plan http://www.conservativenews.org/ViewDefense.asp?Page=\Defense\archive\DEF199 90831b.html Bard DECLARATION & DISCLAIMER ========== CTRL is a discussion and informational exchange list. Proselyzting propagandic screeds are not allowed. Substance—not soapboxing! These are sordid matters and 'conspiracy theory', with its many half-truths, misdirections and outright frauds is used politically by different groups with major and minor effects spread throughout the spectrum of time and thought. That being said, CTRL gives no endorsement to the validity of posts, and always suggests to readers; be wary of what you read. CTRL gives no credeence to Holocaust denial and nazi's need not apply. Let us please be civil and as always, Caveat Lector. ======================================================================== Archives Available at: http://home.ease.lsoft.com/archives/CTRL.html http:[EMAIL PROTECTED]/ ======================================================================== To subscribe to Conspiracy Theory Research List[CTRL] send email: SUBSCRIBE CTRL [to:] [EMAIL PROTECTED] To UNsubscribe to Conspiracy Theory Research List[CTRL] send email: SIGNOFF CTRL [to:] [EMAIL PROTECTED] Om
