During a news conference in Washington, D.C. on February 18, the Center for Military Readiness changed the terms of the debate on the issue of gays in the military, focusing attention on the future consequences of repealing the current law stating that homosexuals are not eligible for military service. (Section 654, Title 10, U.S.C.).

A backdrop of large charts illustrated the complexities of the proposed new LGBT) Law, which would mandate acceptance of the lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgendered agenda for the military. As Elaine Donnelly explained in her statement, if Congress passes proposed legislation (HR 1283) to repeal current law, a wide array of inherently complicated social issues would impose heavy burdens on uniformed men and women, with serious negative impact on recruiting, retention, unit cohesion, and readiness.

Donnelly criticized the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, Adm. Mike Mullen, for trying to solicit comments from two dozen active-duty troops during a visit to Amman, Jordan, putting them on the spot in the presence of the media. She also noted that Defense Secretary William Gates’ February 2 pledge to follow President Obama’s orders to repeal current law predicted only problems for the troops with no benefits in return.

NewsMax TV has posted a video excerpting the presentations of several leaders of prominent organizations who appeared with CMR President Elaine Donnelly at the news conference. They emphasized the need to ask questions that opposition leaders are trying to avoid: “LGBT Law: How Does This Improve Military Readiness?”

In addition to Donnelly, speakers included Tom Minnery, Vice President for Public Policy, Focus on the Family, Tony Perkins, President, Family Research Council, Frank Gaffney, President, Center for Security Policy, David Keene, President, American Conservative Union, Penny Nance, CEO, Concerned Women for America, Mathew Staver, Dean, Liberty University School of Law, Jordan Lorence, Senior Counsel, Alliance Defense Fund, and retired Admiral James A. Lyons, former Commander in Chief, U.S. Pacific Fleet.

The speakers emphasized the dangers of creating conditions that would undermine discipline, unit cohesion and morale. Dean Staver and ADF Counsel Lorence also explained the consequences of forcing military chaplains and schools to accept and even promote the LGBT agenda.

CMR has produced a new two-page Policy Analysis titled “The 1993 Law Regarding Gays in the Military Deserves Continued Support.” Active Duty, retired military, and civilian leaders are encouraged to use this summary to spread the word about the importance of this issue. CMR also distributed colorful buttons featuring a Pentagon shape filled with the striped colors of the LGBT movement, superimposed with a white question mark symbolizing the many important questions that should be asked before Congress votes to pass the LGBT Law.

The news conference announced the formation of a new Military Culture Coalition (MCC)—a network of organization leaders and individuals who support the current 1993 Eligibility Law, and oppose the imposition of flawed priorities and political correctness that make military life more difficult and more dangerous. In coming months the MCC will expand its reach and actively defend current law regarding homosexuals in the military.

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