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Navy Leaders Claim
to 'Understand' & 'Share' Gay Concerns

U.S. Navy: Anti-Gay Slur on Dropped Bomb 'Inappropriate'

Rear Admiral's Letter Clarifies 'Highjack This, Fags' Graffiti

Compiled by GayToday

Washington, D.C.- "Your concern about the photograph of an inappropriate comment scrawled on a piece of ordnance aboard USS ENTERPRISE is both understood and shared by Navy leadership," said a letter to the Human Rights Campaign's Elizabeth Birch from U.S. Navy Rear Admiral S.R. Pietropaoli.

The British newspaper ^Metr~o had released a photo of the bomb, which clearly showed the message ^'Highjack This Fags' ~written across its side. The photo had been taken by the Associated Press.

"The message is insulting and inappropriate," said Servicemembers Legal Defense Network Legal Director Sharra E. Greer. "It is also in clear violation of the United States military's stated policies on harassment and morale."

"Harassment in any form detracts from mission readiness," said C. Dixon Osburn, SLDN's Executive Director. "We appreciate the Navy's pledge to curb harassment, especially at a time when it needs all service members to focus on our fight against terrorism."

Elizabeth Birch , HRC's Executive Director, expressed similar perspectives when responding to the Navy's statement. She said:

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"We are appreciative they have actively taken steps to end anti-gay episodes, such as this, at a time our nation needs to be united against the new and dangerous threats we face."

Rear Admiral Pietropaoli's Letter
to HRC's Executive Director Birch

October 17, 2001

Elizabeth Birch
Executive Director
Human Rights Campaign
919 18th Street, NW, Suite 800
Washington, D.C. 20006

Dear Ms. Birch:

Thank you for taking my phone call earlier today. This letter is a follow-up to that conversation.

Elizabeth Birch

Your concern about the photograph of an inappropriate comment scrawled on a piece of ordnance aboard USS ENTERPRISE is both understood and shared by Navy leadership. This first came to our attention earlier this week in phone calls from several newspapers with similar concerns. We immediately notified Navy commanders involved with Operation Enduring Freedom to ensure steps were taken to prevent a recurrence of this unfortunate incident. They have done so.

As I told you on the phone, there is no written Defense Department guidance governing spontaneous acts of penmanship by our fighting forces. We do, however, expect oversight and leadership on the scene to ensure such actions are appropriate. The overwhelming majority of statements we have seen on ordnance have been positive expressions of support for victims of the terrorist attacks or those who answered the call and responded to the emergency. "FDNY," "NYPD," "Pentagon," "WTC" and "I (heart) NY" have been the norm. Clearly the photograph in question failed to meet our standards, and I assure you that had it been a Defense Department photo, it would never have been released. In this case our commitment to media access to our aircraft carriers meant the AP photographer was free to shoot and file what he or she chose. Navy had no control over the wire service product.

The U.S. Navy does not tolerate discrimination of any kind. I sincerely hope this isolated incident will not detract from the hard work and dedication of the thousands of Sailors and Marines serving our Nation in this war on terrorism. Thank you again for your concern and understanding in this matter. If I can be of further assistance please do not hesitate to call.

Sincerely,
S. R. PIETROPAOLI
Rear Admiral, US Navy

Photo of anti-gay-graffiti-laden bomb:
http://dailynews.yahoo.com/h/p/ap/ 20011011/wl/1002789017attacks_military_xent191.html