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Army general is military's first openly gay flag officer
The U.S. military has its first openly gay flag officer with the promotion of Tammy Smith to the rank of Army brigadier general on Friday.
Brig. Gen. Tammy Smith
Smith received her stars in a private ceremony at the Women's Memorial at Arlington National Cemetery, according to a press release from the Service Members Legal Defense Network, an organization promoting lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender equality in the U.S. military.
Friday was also the first day she publicly acknowledged her sexuality, according to a report from Stars and Stripes, and that acknowledgement comes less than a year after the military ended the "don't ask, don't tell" policy under which an active-duty service member faced punishment or discharge if he or she admitted being homosexual.
“I don’t think I need to be focused on that," Stripes quoted Smith as saying. "What is relevant is upholding Army values and the responsibility this carries.”
Smith is serving as deputy chief at the Office of the Chief at the Army Reserve in Washington. She is a 26-year veteran of the Army and has served in Afghanistan, Panama and Costa Rica as well as stateside assignments.
“It is indeed a new era in America’s military when our most accomplished leaders are able to recognize who they are and serve the country they love at the same time," Aubrey Sarvis, executive director of the Servicemembers Legal Defense Network said in a statement.
Smith's spouse is Tracey Hepner, director of operations for the Military Partners and Families Coaliton, an advocacy and support organization for LGBT members of the military.
Hepner presented Smith with her stars at Friday's ceremony.
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The right wing christian fundamentalists were mostly opposed to the civil rights movement, and weren't successful there. Won't be successful in their fight against gays either. Wrong side of history on both counts.
Joseph is your tyical leftist liberal blowing smoke about untruths. Christians were mingling with blacks long before it was fashionable to do so. You libs want to keep bashing conservatives with the "hate" label when, in fact, you are nothing more than a bunch of "pious pete's" who don't think their stuff stinks.
Oh man. I wish her well.
Jeff Frank (R-Ohio) "Right Wing Insanity",
If you were a real user of a dictionary, you'd shut up and know that "observer" can mean "commentator". Ooops!
@Joseph
And your last name is Stalin I suppose?
Congratulations to the General !
Come and watch me perform in all of my glory. You will not be disappointed in the magnificence of me. I am a singing bobcat and will take requests after my debut performance. Am I male or female? Check back for details.
Jeff Frank (R-Ohio) "Right Wing Insanity",
Speaking of "twips", consult unabridged dictionaries before you continue to embarass yourself with your ignorance.
@Observer
In my humble opinion, "you are where you belong". Good Night.
I think that anyone who is gay in our military service should be shot by a firing squad they are a let down to our country and all true non gay country men and women plus they are bound to burn in hell
That made no sense at all you moron.
What you are expressing is true bigotry. It's like saying someone should be shot for being a different race or practicing a different religion.
Congrats General
All gays will burn in hell because no where in the bible does it say woman&woman/man&man so they shouldn't be allowed to serve in our nation's military or hold office as a public figure
No where in the Bible does it say we can take aspirin for pain, fly in airplanes or watch baseball on TV, does that mean those are sins as well? However it does say that a rich man can no more get into heaven than a camel can get through the eye of a needle (Matthew 19:24). Funny how all you far right wing nuts always ignore that one.
Is this a serious comment?
The bible also does not mention the United States at all... so your point is moot. That does not change the fact that you are a far right bigot though.
Jason white,
Was your comment a joke? Were you faking all that ignorance?
If I had a say into the matter i would burn all gays a the stake like they did witches because they are the outcast of our communities and the wrong influence on our straight kids today
You alll forget that serving gay in the military was not allowed under "Don't Ask, Don't Tell", so for many years this now General has had no integrity, only selfishness to a career. This is what our military has come to be, not a protector of this nation and pride, only who can make the bucks and per diem. This country is weak in morals and values and it shows everywhere. To all you folks who think this is so cool and funny, laugh when the Chinese Army come and roll over all your gay soldiers, marines, airmen and sailors
DADT means that. Gays COULD serve just not openly.
Actually, being gay in the military was allowed under DADT. That's what the law was enacted for. We couldn't talk about it, but we could serve. But I'm not surprised at your ignorance; it seems to be fairly status quo, based upon the comments here.
Serving gay HAS been allowed. Don't ask don't tell simply meant you should not disclose it. She did exactly as she was asked.
jason white,
Your comments reflect the intelligence level of those who burned witches at the stake.
It doesn't get much worse than that.
I just want to thank her for her service to our country.