California Rep. Duncan Hunter has filed
a bill to protect troops from being forced to endorse gay sex.
While “Don't Ask, Don't Tell,” the
policy that bans gay and bisexual troops from serving openly,
officially ends in 18 days, Hunter wants to ensure repeal doesn't
infringe on the rights of straight troops.
The draft bill would require the
services to “ensure that a member of the Armed Forces under their
jurisdiction is not pressured to approve of another person's sexual
conduct if that sexual conduct is contrary to the personal principles
of the member,” the
Army
Times
reported.
Hunter could introduce his bill as
early as September 7, when the House returns from an August recess.
According to an unnamed aide, Hunter is
acting after hearing complaints from troops about the military's
training on repeal.
“We've heard the training is really
pushing the line for people who believe homosexuality is wrong on
religious and personal grounds. It is a legitimate concern, under
the circumstances, with the services working on disciplinary policies
for people who don't agree with this decision.”
Hunter has previously lead efforts to
delay or undermine the repeal of “Don't Ask, Don't Tell.”