They are American values,” he said during the Spirit of Stonewall rally, which honored gay New Yorkers who fought police harassment in 1969.Īs a symbol, having an openly gay military leader means something, said George Hotaling, 29, a gay former Army officer who volunteered at the rally. But equality and inclusivity are not experiments.
“Today, when our critics say that the military is not a place for social experimentation, they may be right. On Friday evening, Fanning addressed the accusations of social engineering. In 2013, the Pentagon began the process of opening all combat jobs to women - something that culminated last year with the first women to earn Army Ranger status.Īnd last month, Defense Secretary Ash Carter declared an immediate end to rules that bar openly transgender troops. “Don’t ask, don’t tell” ended in September 2011, after turbulent debate in Congress. military and the LGBT (lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender) community.”Īmerica’s military has undergone a whirlwind of social policy change in the past five years under the Obama administration - moves that some conservatives have decried as social engineering. “With their actions, they sent a clear message to our country: That it’s possible to take deep pride in being part of two great families, the U.S. “For many in our military, Pride in San Diego has special meaning,” Fanning told an audience during a rally Friday evening at Balboa Park.