Proving that some of the opposition to repealing Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell (DADT) is rooted in homophobia rather than legitimate concerns about military readiness or unit cohesion, House Armed Services Committee Chairman Ike Skelton (D-MO) told reporters yesterday that the military should keep the policy intact “in part to avoid parents having to talk to their children about homosexuality”:
According to the Associated Press, Skelton told reporters that repeal of the policy could put families in a difficult position because it could prompt children to ask about homosexuality.
“What do mommies and daddies say to their 7-year-old child?” he asked.
Skelton, one of the 26 Democrats who opposed repeal in the House, added that his “biggest concern are the families.”
Skelton also said yesterday that he will continue opposing repeal, even though his constituents don’t care about gays openly serving in the military. “I was everywhere in my district, everywhere. It just wasn’t raised,” Skelton said. “There are other things on people’s minds, like jobs and the economy.”