Peter Sprigg of the Christian
conservative Family Research Council (FRC) has called Tuesday's
repeal of “Don't Ask, Don't Tell” a “sad day.”
The military policy that banned gay and
bisexual troops from serving openly ended on Tuesday, nearly 18 years
after its implementation and 9 months after Congress authorized its
repeal. More than 13,000 service members were drummed out of the
military for violating the policy.
During an appearance on the Christian
Broadcasting Network (CBN), Sprigg said he feared for Christians
serving in uniform.
“I think this is a very sad day in
American history,” Sprigg said. “I do fear the consequences. I
fear the consequences in terms of sexual tension, sexual harassment
and even sexual assault. I fear the threat to freedom of speech and
religious freedom for those who disapprove of homosexuality. And I
fear that this will cost us in terms of personnel, both in the areas
of retention and recruiting.”
Troops coming out will lead to “a
situation where we have sort of reverse discrimination and it will be
those … who hold traditional values and disapprove of homosexual
conduct who will be in the closet and forced to remain silent.”
(Related: Barney
Frank says DADT fears won't materialize.)