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Will policy on gays in military be overturned?

69% of Americans favor military with openly gay troops.

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By Margo Rutledge Kissell, Staff Writer Updated 12:05 AM Friday, May 29, 2009

The latest USA Today/Gallup poll released Wednesday, May 27, revealed that 69 percent of Americans are in favor of military service by openly gay men and lesbians.

That is a “major shift” since 1993 when no more than 43 percent of Americans favored it, Gallup said. The Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell policy was approved by President Bill Clinton in 1993.

U.S. Rep. Ellen Tauscher, a Democrat from California, introduced a bill in March to repeal the law. No Dayton-area lawmakers appear among the 141 co-sponsors.

Angela Trumbauer of Huber Heights was in tears last week when she learned that her brother, Air Force Lt. Col. Victor Fehrenbach, is facing discharge from the military for homosexual conduct.

“I cried not just for my brother’s plight and the loss of his distinguished career, but for the 12,500 others since 1993 and for the multitudes sent packing during my own enlistment,” she wrote in letters sent Wednesday to U.S. Sen. Sherrod Brown, D-Ohio, and U.S. Rep. John Boehner, R-West Chester. Boehner’s congressional district includes Huber Heights, where Fehrenbach grew up.

Trumbauer served as an airman in the Air Force from 1985 to 1990.

She pointed out her family’s long military tradition, with both parents serving in the Air Force in the 1950s and 1960s. Trumbauer’s husband is a retired Air Force master sergeant, and her stepson is an active duty enlisted member of the Air Force who has served three combat tours in the Iraqi theater.

Fehrenbach, 39, a decorated military weapons systems officer, is being recommended for discharge for homosexual conduct after 18 years of service.

Fehrenbach, who is stationed at Mountain Home Air Force Base in Idaho, has received nine air medals including one for heroism during the 2003 invasion of Iraq.

He said he kept his “private life private” for 18 years and was outed by a civilian acquaintance.

Trumbauer wrote in the letter that she believes those in Congress will repeal Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell and implement a policy of anti-discrimination against gay servicemen and women.

She said this country has worked to get civil rights for blacks and legislation to prevent discrimination based on age or disabilities. “This is the next one that has to be dealt with.”

A White House spokesman said last week that officials are working to overturn the policy that blocks gays’ service if they disclose their sexual orientation. The response came two days after a Pentagon spokesman said the military had no plans to repeal it.

Policy specifics

The law requires the Department of Defense to separate from the armed forces members who engage in or attempt to engage in homosexual acts; state they are homosexual or bisexual; or marry or attempt to marry a person of the same biological sex.

The law establishes the basis for separation from the armed forces as conduct, not orientation. The policy reflects the law, i.e., no military member is discharged solely due to his or her sexual orientation.

Separated members have the opportunity to continue to serve their nation and national security by putting their abilities to use by way of civilian employment with other federal agencies, the Department of Defense, or in the private sector, such as with a government contractor.

Source: U.S. Department of Defense

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