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Compiled By GayToday
Three national public interest organizations decried the military's policy action against May--including the Gay and Lesbian Victory Fund, which helped elect May to public office; the Log Cabin Republicans, the gay GOP organization for which May serves as a national board member; and the Servicemembers Legal Defense Network, which is advising May during the investigation. "Lieutenant May has a flawless record of military service, and yet he is being targeted for investigation just because he has the character to be honest about who he is," said C. Dixon Osburn, co-executive director of the Servicemembers Legal Defense Network--which provides legal help to members of the armed forces harmed by the military's "Don't Ask, Don't Tell, Don't Pursue" policy. "When Lieutenant May was called up for the active Reserve, he was obligated and honored to answer the call. Now he may be penalized for doing his duty."
"Voters value honesty it's a shame that, at least with respect to our gay soldiers, the military doesn't. One day the military's misguided policy of mandatory discrimination will end." May had joined the Army ROTC while in college and then served on active duty for two years before being assigned to the Inactive Ready Reserve. In February 1999, May received orders to report to the Active Reserve when the recent crisis arose in Kosovo. After May obeyed those orders, the military began looking more closely at his public statements as a legislator and opened an investigation of May under the discriminatory "Don't Ask, Don't Tell, Don't Pursue" policy. "What is happening to Steve clearly shows how absurd this policy is," said Rich Tafel, executive director of the Log Cabin Republicans. "Clearly, the next president of the United States will have to address 'Don't Ask, Don't Tell.' There is no justification for kicking out an exemplary public servant like Steve May." |
Arizona State Rep. Steve May 
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