[Press Release: Congressional Resolution Introduced] Page: 2 of 2
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Joining Boxer in presenting the resolution was Rep. Ted Weiss
from New York, who explained, "It acknowledges what the Pentagon
already knows -- that gay men and lesbians do not pose a security
threat to the United States; that these men and women have served
our nation, in peace and at war, with the same dedication and
professionalism as heterosexual service personnel."
Tim McFeeley of the Human Rights Campaign Fund, a member of
the Military Freedom Project coalition, also spoke at the press
conference. Two representatives of the Gay, Lesbian and Bisexual
Veterans of America (GLBVA) presented testimony.
"Every member of our organization has been directly affected
by the military's anti-gay policy," said Karen Stupski, co-chair of
the Hampton Roads (Virginia) GLBVA and a former lieutenant in the
Navy. While assigned to the U.S.S. Sylvania, Stupski attempted to
hide her sexual orientation while she completed her tour of duty
but was discharged after confiding in a commanding officer.
"As I became more comfortable with the idea of being a
lesbian, my fear turned to anger and frustration at the
discrimination that gays and lesbians face in our society,
particularly in the military," said Stupski. "I wanted to express
myself honestly both in my personal and professional life."
Alan Stephens, president of the Gay & Lesbian Veterans of
Maryland, former Army captain and teacher of learning-disabled
teenagers in Baltimore, outlined for reporters the reasons the
Pentagon has historically used to justify its policy, including the
so-called "foxhole" theory.
"The 'foxhole theory' is based on the assumption that as
bullets are flying on some obscure battlefield, in some unknown
war, deep inside a muddy foxhole occupied by a homosexual and a
heterosexual, the [military] mission is going to be comprised by
the raging hormones of the homosexual," said Stephens. "I assure
you my hormone level is the same as yours. The inference that
homosexuals would rather look at someone's butt, than guard the
rear, is insulting and ridiculous."
Secretary of Defense Richard B. Cheney recently called the DOD
policy "somewhat of an old chestnut" that he "inherited."
Besides NGLTF, GLBVA and HRCF, the Military Freedom Project
includes the National Organization for Women, American Civil
Liberties Union and Lambda Legal Defense Fund.
NGLTF urges activists to pressure their Congressional
Representatives in Congress to sign onto the resolution. To obtain
a copy of the resolution (H.Res. 271), send a self-addressed label
with your request to: House Document Room, H2-B18, House Office
Building Annex II, Washington, DC 20515.
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National Gay & Lesbian Task Force. [Press Release: Congressional Resolution Introduced], text, November 14, 1991; (https://digital.library.unt.edu/ark:/67531/metadc851859/m1/2/: accessed April 16, 2024), University of North Texas Libraries, UNT Digital Library, https://digital.library.unt.edu; crediting UNT Libraries Special Collections.