Chuck Hagel Celebrates LGBT Pride month At Pentagon Event
Secretary of Defense Chuck Hagel marked June as LGBT Pride month at an event at the Pentagon today, describing gay and lesbian servicemembers as "integral to America's armed forces."
It was a first for Hagel, who was confirmed as defense secretary in February, and a historic moment for the Department of Defense, marking the first time a defense secretary has attended a Pentagon Pride event.
"Our nation has always benefited from the service of gay and lesbian soldiers, sailors, airmen, and coast guardsmen, and Marines. Now they can serve openly, with full honor, integrity and respect. This makes our military and our nation stronger, much stronger," Hagel said at the 30-minute event, that was also attended by White House senior advisor Valerie Jarrett and Acting Secretary of the Air Force Eric Fanning. "The Department of Defense is very proud of its contributions to our nation's security. We're very proud of everything the gay and lesbian community have contributed and continue to contribute. With their service, we are moving closer to fulfilling the country's founding vision, that all of us are created equal."
The mere thought of a sitting secretary of defense attending a Pride month event for out servicemembers would have been inconceivable a few years ago, as Fanning, who is gay, noted. "Just two years ago, you couldn't openly serve in the military, and today we have had the secretary of defense kick off our Pride celebration," Fanning said. "Your presence here today means more than you could possibly understand."
But since the repeal of "Don't Ask, Don't Tell," the military has taken steps to embrace out gay servicemembers.
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