CAPT Mark Melson, commanding officer, USS Makin Island, speaking at his ship’s LGBT pride event:

“Pride Month shows the importance of diversity in our Navy, and how that diversity makes us stronger.”

How, precisely, does diversity in sexual behavior make the Navy stronger?  “Pride month” doesn’t make that explicit (no pun intended), and the Department of Defense has not said homosexuality has improved the ability of the military to accomplish its mission.

If diversity in itself is what “makes [the military] stronger,” the US military is doing it wrong with its traditional focus on uniformity.  Something in that statement doesn’t make sense.

“If you or your shipmates can’t serve while being genuine to yourself and who you are at your core, then it makes it hard to be an effective Sailor and warfighter.”

How about those Sailors who, in being “genuine” to themselves, adhere to a religious faith that will not affirm homosexuality and transgenderism? What is the US Navy doing to help them be a more “effective Sailor and warfighter”?

“You should be true to yourself and okay with who you are no matter who you love. We, as a Navy and as human beings, should always treat everyone with dignity and respect regardless of age, race or sexual orientation.”

…and religion. Religion alone, not sex nor even age, is a liberty called out within the US Constitution for special protection.

It is probably advisable to ensure actual rights are being protected — and not infringed upon — in the midst of advocacy for created ones.

ADVERTISEMENT