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CNN Live At Daybreak

Gays in the Military: Coming Out, Speaking Up

Aired December 11, 2003 - 06:18   ET

THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.


THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.


CAROL COSTELLO, CNN ANCHOR: A little more than 10 years ago, the military instituted its don't ask, don't tell policy for gays in the military. Well now three high-ranking officers have come out and are speaking out about the policy.
For more, let's head live to Washington and Kimberly Osias.

Good morning -- Kimberly.

KIMBERLY OSIAS, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Good morning to you, Carol.

Two generals and an admiral, both retired, are now coming forward for the first time saying that for years they denied their true self in order to serve another love, their country.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

REAR. ADM. ALAN STEINMAN, U.S. COAST GUARD (RET.): I couldn't have the same kind of normal life that everybody else had, but I was willing to pay that price in order to serve in the Coast Guard.

KIMBERLY OSIAS, CNN CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): Rear Admiral Alan Steinman lived a lie for decades, concealing his homosexuality from his friends, family and the U.S. Coast Guard. Now he and two other retired high-ranking officials have come forward in this "New York Times" article. They say the don't ask, don't tell policy established by the Clinton administration in 1993 was good then. The first time in anybody's memory the military now allowed gays and lesbians to serve.

Now the three say that policy just doesn't work any longer. While groundbreaking a decade ago, now they say the Pentagon needs to revamp and revisit. They fear that good men and women may shy away from any armed service because of possible repercussions.

C. DIXON OSBURN, SERVICEMEMBERS LEGAL DEFENSE NETWORK: We're losing critical talent, like the Arabic linguists.

OSIAS: The three officials are asking the Pentagon to update the policy regarding gay and lesbians.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

The Defense Department has said it will not revisit this issue in this administration. However, it will currently enforce the law -- Carol.

COSTELLO: Kimberly Osias, live from Washington this morning, many thanks.

TO ORDER A VIDEO OF THIS TRANSCRIPT, PLEASE CALL 800-CNN-NEWS OR USE OUR SECURE ONLINE ORDER FORM LOCATED AT www.fdch.com







Aired December 11, 2003 - 06:18   ET
THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
CAROL COSTELLO, CNN ANCHOR: A little more than 10 years ago, the military instituted its don't ask, don't tell policy for gays in the military. Well now three high-ranking officers have come out and are speaking out about the policy.
For more, let's head live to Washington and Kimberly Osias.

Good morning -- Kimberly.

KIMBERLY OSIAS, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Good morning to you, Carol.

Two generals and an admiral, both retired, are now coming forward for the first time saying that for years they denied their true self in order to serve another love, their country.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

REAR. ADM. ALAN STEINMAN, U.S. COAST GUARD (RET.): I couldn't have the same kind of normal life that everybody else had, but I was willing to pay that price in order to serve in the Coast Guard.

KIMBERLY OSIAS, CNN CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): Rear Admiral Alan Steinman lived a lie for decades, concealing his homosexuality from his friends, family and the U.S. Coast Guard. Now he and two other retired high-ranking officials have come forward in this "New York Times" article. They say the don't ask, don't tell policy established by the Clinton administration in 1993 was good then. The first time in anybody's memory the military now allowed gays and lesbians to serve.

Now the three say that policy just doesn't work any longer. While groundbreaking a decade ago, now they say the Pentagon needs to revamp and revisit. They fear that good men and women may shy away from any armed service because of possible repercussions.

C. DIXON OSBURN, SERVICEMEMBERS LEGAL DEFENSE NETWORK: We're losing critical talent, like the Arabic linguists.

OSIAS: The three officials are asking the Pentagon to update the policy regarding gay and lesbians.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

The Defense Department has said it will not revisit this issue in this administration. However, it will currently enforce the law -- Carol.

COSTELLO: Kimberly Osias, live from Washington this morning, many thanks.

TO ORDER A VIDEO OF THIS TRANSCRIPT, PLEASE CALL 800-CNN-NEWS OR USE OUR SECURE ONLINE ORDER FORM LOCATED AT www.fdch.com