Don't Ask, Don't Tell, Don't Fly?

Pentagon-Congress flap spotlights tension over gay rights
By Jonas Oransky,  Newser Staff
Posted Apr 1, 2008 1:54 PM CDT
Don't Ask, Don't Tell, Don't Fly?
US Defense Secretary Robert Gates.   (AP Photo/ POLFOTO, Tariq Mikkel Khan)

Nancy Pelosi acted to have a gay Congresswoman's domestic partner included on a military flight to Europe, and the question of government acknowledgment of same-sex partners continues to reverberate, the Politico reports. Tammy Baldwin’s partner took the March fact-finding trip, but Pelosi and Robert Gates are at odds over whether the waiver means the Defense Department or the House granted an exception.

“This should not be viewed as a precedent which would now permit all nonspouse travel,”  said a Pentagon spokesman.“I think the military was following orders,” said Barney Frank, who saw a political motive. “I think the administration disapproves of same-sex marriage.” Meanwhile, Pelosi is reluctant to get involved in another dispute over use of military aircraft. (More Robert Gates stories.)

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