Pentagon balked on gay partner travel; Pelosi intervened
By: Pam On: Apr/1/08 - 5 Comments
No, it wasn’t a matter of don’t ask don’t tell, it was a matter of the rules.
Under House guidelines, members of Congress may take their spouses with them on military flights if there is room for them and when it is “necessary for protocol purposes.”
I love how Nancy worded it though:
“It’s a matter of fairness that spouses should be allowed to go, and she is Ms. Baldwin’s spouse,” said Pelosi spokesman Brendan Daly. He said that Baldwin had raised the exclusion with a colleague, who mentioned it to Pelosi. The lawmakers visited France, the Czech Republic and Poland last month.
April 1, 2008 - 10:39 PM on April 1st, 2008
This wouldn’t be a problem/issue if gay marriage was equally as accepted as straight marriage.
Glad Pelosi won this one…
Anti-gay forces – once again – look stupid and backwards.
April 2, 2008 - 12:36 AM on April 2nd, 2008
SFL, understand that I am not opposed to gay marriage. However, you and I are in the minority on this one, and this is supposed to be, at least on paper, a democratic republic in which the majority rules. The VAST majority of Americans do oppose gay unions being recognized as marriages and therefore the RULES say that gay partners are NOT considered spouses. It may suck, but it is the rule. To continually subvert the rules whenever it suits a Democrat to do so does NOT improve the chances of getting the majority to change its mind. A much more effective ploy would be a photo of teary eyed gay partner waving good bye at the airport.
April 2, 2008 - 06:16 AM on April 2nd, 2008
That same rule applies to girlfriends or boyfriends, but that isn’t the issue really. The issue is why are we, the taxpayer, footing the bill for any of the trips for spouses, family etc.
What did Pelosi win? She had to sign off on it, and neither Baldwin nor her partner are discussing the subject. That is odd in that they are outspoken lesbians fighting for gay rights. Why no comment? I will be following the money..
April 2, 2008 - 12:05 PM on April 2nd, 2008
Agree. If this trip is legislative business, why isn’t ANYONE else going at their own cost?
Simple way to avoid this whole gay partner issue: ANYONE else pays their own way.
Of course none of the leeches who call themselves our “representatives” will do that…
April 2, 2008 - 12:37 PM on April 2nd, 2008
Any real legal marrage is between one man and one woman gay marrages are unethical and SFL is still a dweeb