US Lawmakers want answers on dismissals of gay linguists

[Harold Schiffman]

Lawmakers want answers on dismissals of gay linguists
Posted: 12:59 PM May 24, 2007
Last Updated: 12:59 PM May 24, 2007

WASHINGTON (AP) -- Some members of Congress charge the Pentagon is hurting
itself by getting rid of service members who are gay. They say the "Don't
Ask, Don't Tell" policy has cost the military dozens of *Arabic
language*experts. More than three-dozen House lawmakers are calling
for legislation
to repeal the policy agreed to under the Clinton administration. They argue
the continuing dismissals are compromising national security.

Don't Ask, Don't Tell allows gays to serve as long as they keep their sexual
orientation private. A former Navy petty officer says he lost his job as a
language expert for using a military computer to send messages to his
roommate, who was serving in Iraq. He says he was fired even though others
who committed the same offense but aren't gay were allowed to stay.

The Pentagon says it's just enforcing the law.
http://www.wifr.com/webnews/headlines/7668967.html


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