The New York Times

Tuesday, April 18, 2000

Navy Boss: Don't Test Gay Issues

By The Associated Press

MIANNAPOLIS, Md. (AP) -- Secretary of the Navy Richard Danzig told an audience at the U.S. Naval Academy that the military should not be considered a testing ground for gay-rights issues.

Responding to a question about gays in military service, Danzig said Monday night that American society ``hasn't reached a consensus'' on gay rights.

``In the end, the military itself shouldn't be a driver of that, but a follower of the consensus of society,'' he said.

``It is really much more an issue for society-at-large as it is for the military,'' he said. ``The military isn't essentially a testing ground.''

Defense Secretary William Cohen last month said he would create a special committee to investigate anti-gay speech and harassment after a Pentagon inspector general's survey found that the problems are commonplace in the American military.

The Clinton administration's ``don't ask, don't tell'' policy permits gays and lesbians to serve in the military as long as they keep their sexual orientation to themselves and commanders do not inquire about it.

The Pentagon was forced to take a closer look at how the gay policy is being implemented after the bludgeoning death last July of a gay Army private at Fort Campbell, Ky. His killer, a fellow private, was convicted and sentenced to life in prison.