European Stars and Stripes (Newspaper) - January 30, 1993, Darmstadt, Hesse                                Pago 4 0 the stars and stripes Gays in the military i saturday january 30,1993 Gays in service pleased at Clinton move by Ron Mckinney staff writer president Clinton has done Quot what the  Community expected him to by suspending a ban on homosexuals in the military a  airman said thursday. Quot in a real Happy with what he has done a said the airman who is assigned to a military Hospital in Germany. The airman who asked that his name be withheld was among other military and civil fights workers who greeted the announcement with Relief. A spokeswoman for the human rights Campaign fund in Washington said that the organization does not see Clinton s plan to ease restrictions on Gays in the military for six months before taking More definitive action As breaking his Promise a we Don t see this in any Way As backing away from his Promise to overturn the ban Quot said Cathy Woolard the spokeswoman for the human rights activists satisfied by decision Campaign fund. A i feel very confident that this ban will end in a forthright  Woolard said Clinton s interim order will allow  and lesbian services cab ers to continue their work without fear of harassment or Witch Hunts. The Germany based airman said he now Felt comfortable enough to admit his homosexuality to co workers if asked. A i would t go around wearing a to shirt saying i m . But if someone were to ask me tomorrow if i was  i would admit it a he said. Still he said he did t feel comfortable enough to place a picture of his Lover on his desk explaining that he would constantly be harassed for that. As for his admission however he said he would expect some support from friends and co workers. I a some people will harass me a he said. A a you re going to get a few snickers but i think Overall people will respect you for it. If they Don Toh Well they done to pay your  t it the airman said there is still anxiety in the military  Community for fear of retribution from homophobic. He pointed out the Sailor in Japan who was murdered after he admitted he was . A it s a Vety real threat to All Gays because of the mentality of the military. The military has fostered this mentality against Gays Quot he said. In the United states  activists Are saying the storm will pass and Clinton will keep his pledge to lift the ban on homosexuals. The american Public once broadly behind lifting the ban now appears to be split. Key democrats Republican rivals and the joint chiefs of staff have been critical of Clinton since it became Clear that he intends to revoke the ban within six months. Senate opponents of the ban Hope to add an amendment tacking the military exclusion Law onto a popular family leave Bill. Gay activists say they have no regrets about pressing the Battle. A it s very important for America to move toward ending prejudice. You never make any Progress if you done to try a said rep. Barney Frank d-mass., who is . Gay proponents contend that reaction to perceived intolerance at the Republican convention last summer showed that voters done to like prejudice. They say Clinton s stand on principle will win him Points in the end a even from people no disagree with him. Associated press contributed to this  lines drawn among by Robert Dvorchak the associated press on military bases and in veterans clubs around the country debate is raging Over president Clinton a bid to lift the ban on homosexuals in the military Frederick Seltzer a  journalist and Seaman apprentice at a Navy submarine base in Bangor wash., said he hoped an executive order  come too late for him. In december the Navy recommended that he be discharged. A we Are not sexual predators a the 21-year-old said. A we arc basically Normal human beings but the one thing in our lives that is different is our  discharge is also pending for capt. Pam Mindl of the Minnesota army National guard she came Forward in july out of a duty and Honor to Tell her Supri ors she is lesbian. �?o1 was sick and tired of seeing Quality people being kicked out because of their orientation a Modt said. A a in be served 16 honorable years not marred with any Type of allegation of inappropriate sexual conduct. Let our records speak for us. V the reaction was far different among other marines soldiers sailors and airmen As Clinton prepared to fulfil a Campaign Promise to lift the ban. Sgt. Jeff Parish at Francis e. Warren fab in Cheyenne wyo., called the move a a big  a if they do let Mem in the first time i work with one in a getting out Quot he said. Quot homosexuals in the military a no . Said Lance Cpl. Richard Mcdowell at the Marine base at Camp Pendleton Calif �?o1  feel comfortable with some Guy who a  in a fighting Hole in the Middle of Battle. You  know if head be thinking about fighting or be thinking about you know  army pfc. Paul Rader stationed at fort Campbell ky., said allowing homosexuals in the military a disgusts a  lie said  soldiers on Active duty would be treated roughly by comrades. A if they want to put All the females and one  Guy in the same platoon that a Fine a just keep them away from me Quot Rader said. �?o1 done to want somebody looking at my butt in the Shower if they re the same  and capt. Tim my ers commanding officer of the Chicago Navy Roth said the close quarters of sea duty would pose problems. A i think it is very difficult for the heterosexual and  male to live beside one another for six months on a ship a Myers said a there is no place to go if someone is  members of the Alexander Hamilton american legion Post the nations Only  Post stand thursday in san Francisco. A most  men in the military you would t know one from the other Quot said foun a person from left in the second Row. Those attitudes were seen As  bashing by some. A quite honestly the Only Way to describe the opponents reaction is hate a said Sam Gallegos a reporter for a  Magazine who was discharged from the Colorado National guard in 1991. Most Public opinion polls show the american Public split on the Issue. The 650 members of veterans of foreign wars Post 658 in Macon ga., were among those opposed to Clinton a plans a the people who Are pushing do not realize the possible repercussions against those individuals accepted in the military service who Are . I think its putting their lives in jeopardy a said retired Brig. Gen Dan Bullard the Post adjutant. Founder Paul Hardman the third but at the 140-member Alexander Hamilton american legion Post in san Francisco the Only  Post in the United states world War ii Veteran Paul Hardman blamed a sanctified ignorance for opposition to Clinton a move a most  men in the military you would t know one from the other Quot said Hardman the Post s founder. Some veterans questioned How Clinton As commander in chief could act if he resisted military service. A if he was Ever in the service he  do this a said Ted Weisenhorn a world War ii Veteran and adjutant at the James Caldwell american legion Post no. 185 in Caldwell . Schwarzkopf astounded by focus on  Issue Toledo Ohio a retired army Gen. 11. Norman Schwarzkopf who opposes repealing the Pentagon a ban on homosexuals in the military questioned president Clinton a priorities in making the Issue a major concern. Schwarzkopf said he was a astounded that the new administration with All of the problems this country has that they chose to focus on this  Schwarzkopf who retired after 35 years Schwarzkopf said in the army became a nationally known a we have always discriminated and figure leading Allied forces during the surrendered civil rights As members of persian Gulf War in 1991. His remarks the armed forces. We discriminate on the came thursday night at a $150-a-plate basis of age and sex.�?�. Junior league fund Raiser. At Camp Pendleton calf marines military groups work As a team and shared the retired general a concern Over once a homosexual a comes out of the Clinton a plan. Closet and publicly avows their Homo sex a a it san uproar on base right now a uni it All unit cohesive Ness is lost a a said 1st it. Donnell Oroshi. A a there a a lot of hostility and  some marines said comrades were talking about leaving the marines once their Tours of duty end a or even sooner. A a you be got a lot of Good people you respect who Are saying a look personally i can to live with this policy a a said capt. Clark Fleming. A when you see Good people get out like that it s got to have an