Blog Entry: Republicans Did Not Come To The Gay Soldier's Defense

By Shannon Ralph

In a televised Republican presidential candidate debate on Thursday, a gay soldier was booed by the crowd after asking a question about Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell (DADT). In a response that is both incredibly sad and a telling testament to their character, not one candidate on the stage came to the soldier’s defense. Not a single candidate said a word to the crowd about booing this man. Not a single candidate took a stand to defend a man putting his life on the line in service to the country they hope to one day lead.

“In 2010, when I was deployed to Iraq, I had to lie about who I was, because I’m a gay soldier, and I didn’t want to lose my job,” said Stephen Hill, whose image was projected on a large TV screen in the debate hall. “My question is, under one of your presidencies, do you intend to circumvent the progress that’s been made for gay and lesbian soldiers in the military?”

Members of the crowd booed loudly at the question. Rather than first thanking Hill for his service or acknowledging his tour in Iraq in any way, Rick Santorum answered the soldier’s question by launching into an impassioned diatribe about reinstating DADT.

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