Justin B Smith, 28, is a U.S. Air Force Veteran. He grew up in Silver Spring, Maryland but presently resides in Baltimore.Justin is a Gay Activist. Since 1999 he has worked with various gay organizations including the National Black Justice Coalition, Human Rights Campaign, Equality Maryland, Us Helping Us, and People Into Living Incorporated.
Justin is currently enrolled in school pursuing his degree in Communications and Journalism.
The "Don't Ask, Don't Tell Policy" was instituted during former President Bill Clinton's administration. Hillary Rodham Clinton's husband.
| A Wikipedia article about Maj. Alan Rogers, a gay soldier who was killed in January 2008 in Iraq, was apparently edited by someone in the Pentagon, who removed any mention that Rogers was gay. Maj. Alan Rogers was out in his private life but not out in the Army. Source: Blade |
Obama adds that his priority for the Joint Chiefs will be that they make decisions to strengthen the military and keep the country safe, not their position on the policy.
Obama gave this statement in an interview with the LGBT magazine, The Advocate, "I would never make this a litmus test for the Joint Chiefs of Staff."
"But I think there's increasing recognition within the Armed Forces that this is a counterproductive strategy," he said. "We're spending large sums of money to kick highly qualified gays or lesbians out of our military, some of whom possess specialties like Arab-language capabilities that we desperately need. That doesn't make us more safe."
Obama has been hit hard by a lot of gay groups for not being supportive enough. He was not surprisingly criticized by the Philadelphia for giving an interview. The Philadelphia gay magazine ran a large blank space on its front page next to an interview with Hillary Rodham Clinton to highlight that he did not talk to the publication.
"The gay press may feel like I'm not giving them enough love, but basically all press feels that way at all times," Obama told The Advocate. Obama has frequently spoken out against homophobia and in support of gay rights. He also points out the he believes in federal benefits for same sex couples.
If elected president Barack Obama says that he will not necessitate that his Joint Chiefs of Staff appointees support allowing gays to serve openly in the military.
The "Don't Ask, Don't Tell Policy" was instituted during former President Bill Clinton's administration. Hillary Rodham Clinton's husband.
| A Wikipedia article about Maj. Alan Rogers, a gay soldier who was killed in January 2008 in Iraq, was apparently edited by someone in the Pentagon, who removed any mention that Rogers was gay. Maj. Alan Rogers was out in his private life but not out in the Army. Source: Blade |
Obama adds that his priority for the Joint Chiefs will be that they make decisions to strengthen the military and keep the country safe, not their position on the policy.
Obama gave this statement in an interview with the LGBT magazine, The Advocate, "I would never make this a litmus test for the Joint Chiefs of Staff."
"But I think there's increasing recognition within the Armed Forces that this is a counterproductive strategy," he said. "We're spending large sums of money to kick highly qualified gays or lesbians out of our military, some of whom possess specialties like Arab-language capabilities that we desperately need. That doesn't make us more safe."
Obama has been hit hard by a lot of gay groups for not being supportive enough. He was not surprisingly criticized by the Philadelphia for giving an interview. The Philadelphia gay magazine ran a large blank space on its front page next to an interview with Hillary Rodham Clinton to highlight that he did not talk to the publication.
"The gay press may feel like I'm not giving them enough love, but basically all press feels that way at all times," Obama told The Advocate. Obama has frequently spoken out against homophobia and in support of gay rights. He also points out the he believes in federal benefits for same sex couples.