AMPA calls for further changes to address equal opportunity for LGBT uniformed troops
The American Military Partner Association (AMPA), the nation’s premier organization for LGBT military spouses and their families, responded to the signing of the new Human Goals Charter by the Department of Defense Officials (DoD). For the first time, sexual orientation was included with the goal to make military service in the Department of Defense a model of equal opportunity.
The 2014 Human Goals Charter Signing Ceremony took place at the Pentagon Auditorium on April 28th, in Washington, D.C. The ceremony included Secretary of Defense Chuck Hagel, Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Army Gen. Martin E. Dempsey, and Acting Under Secretary of Defense for Personnel and Readiness Jessica L. Wright. It is important to note that while the Human Goals Charter sets “goals” for the Department, it does not necessarily reflect a change in official policy or law.
“We applaud the Secretary of Defense and the Administration for including sexual orientation with these important goals in equal opportunity to build stronger and more inclusive command climates throughout the Department of Defense (DoD),” says Stephen Peters, president of AMPA.
While the current DoD Military Equality Opportunity Program protects against unlawful prejudice or discrimination based upon sexual orientation for DoD civilians, it does not do so for uniformed troops.
“However, we call upon the Secretary and the Administration to take swift action in changing the official DoD Non-Discrimination Policy and the Military Equal Opportunity Program to include sexual orientation as a protected class for uniformed troops against unlawful prejudice and discrimination,” says Peters.
Furthermore, “We need these changes to ensure gay and lesbian troops are treated with the respect and professionalism they deserve and have appropriate courses of action that can be taken to address concerns. We also look forward to the day when the Human Goals Charter addresses gender identity and our transgender service members are no longer forced to serve in silence.”
The American Military Partner Association (AMPA), a non-partisan and non-profit 501(c)3 organization based in Washington DC, is the nation’s largest organization for LGBT military spouses and their families. Founded and led by same-sex military partners in 2009 as the Campaign for Military Partners, AMPA is committed to connecting, supporting, honouring, and serving the partners and spouses of America’s LGBT service members and veterans.
For more information: www.MilitaryPartners.org