Groups opposed to repeal of “Don't
Ask, Don't Tell” are praising language added in the Republican
Party's 2012 platform.
The platform, which still needs to be
ratified by Republicans meeting in Tampa next week, outlines many of
the party's official positions.
Unlike the 2008 document, which
blatantly stated that military service is “incompatible” with
homosexuality, the proposed platform instead gives a nod to opponents
with more subtle language.
It states that Republicans “reject
the use of the military as a platform for social experimentation”
and support “an objective and open-minded review of the current
Administration's management of military personnel policies and will
correct problems with appropriate administrative, legal or
legislative action.”
Elaine Donnelly of the Center for
Military Readiness, which believes gay people should be ineligible to
serve in the military, praised the language.
“It will be important for the next
Commander-in-Chief to give permission to all personnel – especially
close combat troops whose views were ignored by the Obama
Administration – to candidly report on the true consequences of
imposing LGBT law and related policies on our military,” she said
in a statement.
Aubrey Sarvis, the outgoing executive
director of Servicemembers Legal Defense Fund (SLDN), told BuzzFeed:
“Our nation's senior military leaders, Congress, and the American
people have spoken on the repeal of 'Don't Ask, Don't Tell' and moved
on. Maybe in time the GOP platform committee will come around too,
rather than suggesting the repeal policy may be revisited by a Romney
administration.”
The platform also states that a
Republican president would “protect religious independence of
military chaplains and people of faith.”