09-21-2015, 10:53 AM
Fanning's experience makes him well-qualified for the job. And, he is reportedly well-respected and liked at the Pentagon.
I don't need to know that he's gay either, but I can see where it's important symbolically to show the progress of gay equality in the U.S.
Not that long ago, the army could reject or eject people for being gay. Then, the army agreed not to reject or eject people for being gay, so long as those people kept quiet about being gay. Now, not only does the army accept openly gay people, the highest Army civilian post will be occupied by an openly gay person for the first time in the nation's history; a gay man who could also legally get married for the first time in the nation's history.
I think it's newsworthy because it's a historic "first" (and the Senate will likely confirm the appointment without much resistance).
I don't need to know that he's gay either, but I can see where it's important symbolically to show the progress of gay equality in the U.S.
Not that long ago, the army could reject or eject people for being gay. Then, the army agreed not to reject or eject people for being gay, so long as those people kept quiet about being gay. Now, not only does the army accept openly gay people, the highest Army civilian post will be occupied by an openly gay person for the first time in the nation's history; a gay man who could also legally get married for the first time in the nation's history.
I think it's newsworthy because it's a historic "first" (and the Senate will likely confirm the appointment without much resistance).