Kirkland, a doctor from Jackson, Tennessee running on opposition to health care reform, and his fellow candidates were discussing their views on repealing Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell.
Another candidate at the forum, identified only as “Smith” in the Tennessean.com story reporting on the event, tried to match Kirkland’s menacing declaration, saying of his service during the First Gulf War that “I definitely wouldn’t want to share a shower with a homosexual. We took care of that kind of stuff, just like (Kirkland) said.”
In case you forgot, DADT is not just a form of employment discrimination, but also provides cover to a range of homophobic harassment, abuse, and violence, detailed in a letter to President Obama sent by former Navy Petty Officer Joseph Christopher Rocha, and released yesterday by the Servicemembers’ Legal Defense Network. And people wonder if the Tea Party movement is “really anti-LGBT.”
Elsewhere…
D.C. – Rep. Patrick Murphy (D-PA), the main Congressional backer of a DADT repeal, said he was “blindsided” by Defense Secretary Bob Gates’ letter essentially demanding repeal be put off until after the mid-term elections, when Democrats may loose control of the House of Representatives. Murphy, however, says he’ll press on. Towleroad has a summary of reactions to Gates’ letter. (The Advocate, Towleroad)
D.C. – Another anti-bullying bill in the works. (The Washington Blade)
Teh Interwebs – Chely Wright comes out as a lesbian, arguably the first country musician to do so. (Towleroad)
California – Haven’t you always wanted to know more about ACT UP founder Larry Kramer’s sex life? Me too. (South Florida Gay News)
California – The Transgender Economic Empowerment Initiative in San Francisco is facing cash-flow hurdles, despite backing from several major figures. (The Advocate)
Egypt – Elton John won’t be playing in Egypt any time soon. (The Advocate)
The UK – Anti-gay preacher arrested by gay cop for homophobic comments made in the course of street preaching. A man was seen biting a dog shortly afterwards on the same street corner. (The Advocate)