Obama Nominates First Openly Gay US Army Secretary

[W!nston]

Obama Nominates First Openly Gay US Army Secretary
AFP | September 18 2015 7:00pm ET

Eric Fanning, pictured on June 25, 2013, has held an array of different posts in Congress and at the Pentagon over the past 25 years​

Washington (AFP) - US President Barack Obama nominated Eric Fanning as Army secretary Friday in a move that if confirmed by the Senate would make him the first openly gay person to serve in that role.

Fanning has been active in gay rights and served on the board of the Gay & Lesbian Victory Fund, a group that aims to increase "the number of openly LGBT officials at all levels of government."

He has held an array of different posts in Congress and at the Pentagon over the past 25 years, including as special assistant and chief of staff to Defense Secretary Ash Carter.

"Eric brings many years of proven experience and exceptional leadership to this new role," Obama said in a statement.

Speaking to LGBT newspaper Washington Blade in 2013, Fanning said: "I don't think there's anything as important as just living an open life of integrity and productivity... I think that's one of the most important things we can do."

The secretary of the Army serves under the Secretary of Defense and is a non-Cabinet position.

Fanning, who holds a degree from prestigious Dartmouth College, has served as acting undersecretary of the Army since June and has expertise in matters of defense and national security.

He has also served as undersecretary and as acting secretary of the Air Force.

Pentagon chief Carter welcomed Fanning's nomination.

"I know he will strengthen our Army, build on its best traditions and prepare our ground forces to confront a new generation of challenges," Carter said.

SOURCE

Obama will be remembered as a champion of Gay Equality the same as MLK Jr. is remembered as a champion of Black Equality.

The stage is set now for an Openly Gay Presidential Candidate in 2020.

 

[gb2000ie]

"if confirmed by the Senate" - that bit worries me. The confirmation process these days it not what it used to be - it used to be about verifying that the person has the skills to do the job the President would like them not, now it's about politics, and giving the president a black eye when possible.

MAYBE the fact that this is the military we are talking about, and that the pentagon chief has welcomed the nomination will convince the Republican Senators do their duty, but I wouldn't count my chickens on this one too soon!

B.