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Tony Perkins Disinvited To Speak At Andrews AFB Over DADT and Anti-LGBT Views

Posted by: Bridgette P. LaVictoire on February 27, 2010.

02/27/10-by Bridgette P. LaVictoire
Family Research Council president Tony Perkins is not happy about being disinvited to speak at Joint Base Andrews Naval Air Facility Washington, formerly known as Andrews Air Force Base, over his views concerning the repeal of Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell. Perkins, who is strongly anti-LGBT, has stated on his website “Do not let our military be used to advance a radical sexual agenda.” He had been invited by Air Force Chaplain Lt. Col. Gary Bertsch to speak at a prayer luncheon this passed Thursday. Perkins is being vocal about his rescinded invitation.

Unfortunately for Mr. Perkins, his views regarding homosexuality made many on the base uncomfortable. Lt. Col. Bertsch wrote to Perkins rescinding the invitation stating “As a former Marine officer, I’m sure you understand the situation in which we find ourselves. As military members we are sworn to support our Commander in Chief, and are forbidden to make or support statements which run counter to our roles as members of the armed forces.”

Andrew AFB’s public affairs office issued a statement to CNS New “The Chaplain’s office retracted Mr. Perkins’ invitation after his recent public comments made many who planned to attend the event uncomfortable. This was a local decision made by the chaplain’s office who wanted the luncheon to be inclusive for the entire base community. The chaplain’s office respects and defends Mr. Perkins right to express his opinions, and regrets any inconvenience to him. We thank and respect him for his prior military service.”

Perkins countered with “People don’t understand that in the military there is a chain of command, and you have to follow orders. You’re not free to disagree.” He also went on about how this will degrade the right of people in the military to oppose LGBT-rights on the basis of religion. Of course, Mr. Perkins might want to notice that his statements are in opposition with each other.

The overwhelming majority of Americans support the repeal of DADT- some seventy percent on average. A bare majority of active service members and veterans oppose repeal at fifty-one percent via the latest polling; though, the evidence is that the current military either does not care or supports repeal.

On the issue of civil rights, Mr. Perkins might want to take note that it has often been stated that soldiers do not have civil rights in the same way that many Americans do, and thus, their right to oppose homosexuality on religious grounds flew out the window the second that they joined the armed forces.

Perkins invite pulled over ‘Don’t Ask’