"Don't Ask, Don't Tell" Reactions from the Right

This weekend, the Senate took a huge step forward for equality. By voting to repeal “Don’t Ask Don’t Tell” 
(DADT), Congress has made all of us safer and made clear that the men and women who sacrifice for our country should be treated with respect, regardless of sexual orientation. 

But even with 65 Senators who voted in favor of the final bill, the fight to repeal DADT was always difficult. The vitriol and anger of those who opposed repeal was best personified by Senator John McCain, whose furious attacks and shifting rationale made clear that there was nothing he wouldn't do to keep the policy in place. 

For those who remembered John McCain as a reasonable and sometimes even moderate Republican senator, the image was shocking. It seemed like Senator McCain had completely lost his mind. 

Maybe he hasn’t. 

Although the vast majority of Americans supported ending Don't Ask Don't Tell, the far-right base of the Republican Party was intractably opposed to extending any rights to LGBT Americans, and Senator McCain wants to remain in their good graces. Take a look at some of the reactions to the vote collected on PFAW's Right Wing Watch blog: 

Bryan Fischer of The American Family Association: "The new Marine motto: 'The Few, the Proud, the Sexually Twisted.' Good luck selling that to strong young males who would otherwise love to defend their country. What virile young man wants to serve in a military like that?" 

Tony Perkins of The Family Research Council: "It is clear why this was done: not to enhance the military's ability to accomplish its mission or to enhance national security. Rather, it is a political payoff to a tiny, but loud and wealthy, part of the Democratic base."

Peter LaBarbara of Americans For Truth About Homosexuality: "If the lame-duck Congress succeeds in ‘gaying down' our military this weekend, it will take a disastrous leap toward “mainstreaming” deviant, sinful homosexual conduct."

These aren't fringe figures in the Religious Right movement. They are important figures in the GOP, and party leaders are eager to cater to their bigoted agenda.

Thanks to a flood of new right-wing politicians entering Congress in just a few weeks, you can expect more extremism and more politicians playing political games with important issues.

Our win on Don't Ask Don't Tell this weekend was a tremendous victory, and it happened thanks to the dedicated work of thousands of engaged activists and leaders like you. But the Right Wing won't take this lying down, and we'll need your support to continue the fight for equality and justice for all people under the law.

Sincerely,



Michael Keegan, President