Oklahoma state lawmaker Rep. Mike Reynolds (R) has proposed legislation that would force gay and lesbian servicemembers in the state’s National Guard back in the closet and reinstate the Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell policy:
The bill is being proposed in response to requests from members of the Oklahoma National Guard, Reynolds said….Reynolds’ bill would amend the existing state law that allows any able-bodied U.S. citizen or person who has declared intentions of becoming a citizen and who is at least 18 years old and not yet 70 to serve in the Guard.
Last year, Reynolds endorsed the Response, Texas Gov. Rick Perry’s controversial public prayer event, which was organized and attended by a who’s-who of anti-gay leaders. “I am encouraging Oklahomans to join with thousands of other Christians from around the nation in participating in this event. Go and show your support of public prayer,” Reynolds told the Pauls Valley Democrat in July.
A supporter of state Rep. Sally Kern’s (R) “Oklahoma Citizens Proclamation for Morality,” Reynolds has also spoken out against so-called “homosexual activists” after a gay minister recognized a same-sex couple in the gallery during an opening prayer.
Lawmakers in the Virginia House of Representatives also proposed reinstating Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell, but the measure died in a legislative committee.
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