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Content about Secretary of Defense

April 27, 2013
LGBT military organization protests National Day of Prayer pastor

OutServe-SLDN asks US Defense Department to reconsider having Pastor Greg Laurie participate in the National Day of Prayer.

OutServe-SLDN is asking the US Defense Department to reconsider Pastor Greg Laurie as the headline speaker at next week's National Day of Prayer.

The advocacy organization that works with LGBT military members, veterans and their families insists the minister's anti-gay past makes him an unacceptable speaker for an open military.

February 26, 2013
Chuck Hagel confirmed as US Secretary of Defense despite past anti-gay remarks

Log Cabin Republicans vow 'to make sure his change of heart is sincere'

Former Senator Chuck Hagel was approved today by the US Senate to be the new Secretary of Defense.

The narrow vote of 58 to 41 followed a bruising confirmation process that included the first-ever fillibuster to try and block a vote on the person nominated to lead the Pentagon.

February 9, 2013
LGBT troops and families still unequal even with no DADT

Don't Ask, Don't Tell is gone but LGBT troops still fighting to get what should be theirs

While LGBT US troops can now serve openly, they cannot assume the same benefits their straight peers take for granted.

According to reports, the US Department of Defense plans on making sure family members of LGBT troops are covered by military benefits.

January 31, 2013
During confirmation hearing, Chuck Hagel vows to stand up for gays in military

Secretary of Defense nominee: 'All men and women deserve the same rights'

Former US Senator Chuck Hagel was asked about gays in the military and same-sex marriages being performed on military bases Thursday (31 January) during a sometimes contentious secretary of defense confirmation hearing.

'I am fully committed to implementing the repeal of ‘don’t ask, don’t tell,’' Hagel said in his opening statement, "And doing everything possible under current law to provide equal benefits to the families of all, all our service members.'

January 27, 2013
New York Times article hints anonymous LGBT group might be supported by GOP dollars

New York Times article traces Use Your Mandate to Republican linked organizations

For the past week Use Your Mandate has been using Twitter, mailings in seven states and TV ads to knock Chuck Hagel, President Barack Obama's nominee for Secretary of Defense. The group insists it's made up of Democratic party LGBT operatives, but its members have chosen to be anonymous.

January 20, 2013
Anonymous LGBT group produces anti-Chuck Hagel video

An organization called Use Your Mandate pushes back against the Chuck Hagel nomination for Secretary of Defense

Use Your Mandate, an anonymous LGBT organization, has produced an ad against Chuck Hagel's nomination for Secretary of Defense.

The 30 second ad charges Hagel  'does not share our values' and is anti-woman, gay, and Israel. The spot ends asking viewers to urge senators to block the nominee.

January 13, 2013
Colin Powell comes to Chuck Hagel's defense

Colin Powell  stands up for Defense Secretary nominee Chuck Hagel

Former Secretary of State Colin Powell is certain Chuck Hagel will support LGBT troops if he gets to lead the Defense Department.

The retired four-star general was a guest on the Sunday news program Meet the Press. When asked how the Secretary of Defense nominee would handle the repeal of Don't Ask, Don't Tell, Powell noted the policy was gone. He added Hagel would do what was required to treat gay and lesbian troops like their straight peers.

December 31, 2012
Gay congressman Barney Frank uses last day in office to protest defense secretary candidate

Says Chuck Hagel 'voted consistently against fairness for LGBT people'

On his last day as a US congressman, Barney Frank blasted former senator Chuck Hagal who President Barack Obama is considering nominating to be the next secretary of defense.

Frank, the first openly gay person to ever serve in the congress, has not forgotten Hagel's words from 1998 when a gay man, James Hormel, was nominated by then-President Bill Clinton to be US Ambassador to Luxembourg.

December 30, 2012
Obama defends Hagel and his apology

President Barack Obama goes on Meet The Press to defend Chuck Hagel

President Barack Obama is standing behind Chuck Hagel's apology to former Ambassador, and gay man, James Hormel.

The president appeared on the news program Meet the Press. In the 30 minute interview he was asked about Hagel and his possible appointment as Secretary of Defense. In 1998, when Hormel was nominated to be the US ambassador to Luxembourg, he earned the ire of the then senator.

December 28, 2012
Log Cabin Republicans are against Chuck Hagel as US Defense Secretary

Gay group had suffered backlash for endorsing Mitt Romney for president

In the weeks leading up to the Us presiential election last month, the Log Cabin Republicans endorsed Republican Mitt Romney despite the candidate's staunch views against gay marriage.

December 21, 2012
Now a contender to be US Defense Secretary, former senator apologizes for anti-gay remarks

Chuck Hagel says he is fully 'committed to LGBT military families'

Former US Senator Chuck Hagel is reportedly being considered for the position of Secretary of Defense, a position that is second only to the president in the military hierarchy - a military that since September 2011 has allowed gays and lesbians to serve openly.

Hagel, a decorated Vietnam War veteran, would have to be in support of gay and lesbian military personnel in the cabinet-level position.

June 16, 2012
US Defense Department honors gay pride

US Defense Department celebrates June as Gay Pride Month

US Secretary of Defense Leon Panetta released a video celebrating gay pride and the contributions of LGBT troops.

'The successful repeal of "Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell" proved to the nation that, just like the country we defend, we share different backgrounds, different values and different beliefs,' Panetta said. 'But together we form the greatest military force in the world.'