Navy Videos Show Depths of Homophobia in Military

Former Navy Capt. Owen Honors' homophobic videos raise a big question in the wake of the repeal of Don't Ask, Don't Tell, writes Meghan McCain in the Daily Beast. Now that gay service members can serve openly, why on earth would they in that kind of environment? "What gay sailor would want to come out of the closet to his or her peers when a video like Captain Honors’ was being applauded on an aircraft carrier?"

The scandal illustrates "the blatant and seemingly rampant acceptability of homophobia across ranks in the military," writes McCain. This wasn't just any enlisted man, after all, it was a Navy officer. The quick outcry from military brass is a good sign, but "it's clear there's still much work to be done," she writes. "While the repeal of Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell is an important piece of legislation, a crucial cultural shift must continue to take place." (More Don't Ask Don't Tell repeal stories.)