He makes the case for equal citizenship for gays and lesbians as well as anyone. And in the Army Times. Money quote:
We can easily see why some people are physically disqualified for military service, but it is much harder to see why the fact of private consensual sex between adult citizens disqualifies them from military service. What democratic principle justifies this discrimination?
The law barring gay military service imposes private religious and moral commitment through the instrument of public law. Gays and lesbians are American citizens, and many are silently serving in our military now as they have in all of our wars. The war in Iraq highlights the shortsightedness of discharging Arabic linguists who happen to be gay. But far worse than this failure in reasoning is the more general democratic failure of refusing full citizenship to able and willing citizens making personal choices the majority does not like.
I think the substantive debate on gays in the military is largely over. Significant majorities among the public support lifting the ban. Britain, the U.S.’ closest ally, has done so – with no problems. My simple view is that anyone able and willing to serve his or her country should be able to do so, and be governed by the same rules as anyone else. We should be grateful to these people, not dismissive.
The Dish 