DADT, the U.S. Navy, and Beth Coye

The other day, WNYC's "It's a Free Country" covered the author's work, her book, and her story, on the whole:

This morning on The Brian Lehrer Show, Commander Beth Coye, former naval officer and author of My Navy Too, reacted to the repeal of the "Don't Ask, Don't Tell" policy affecting gay servicemen and women. Since retiring from the military, Beth Coye has been a tireless advocate for repealing "Don't Ask, Don't Tell." It's surprising to note that one of her childhood friends has also been one of her biggest opponents: John McCain. On Saturday, the Arizona Senator gave what is likely among the last in a long line of speeches against allowing gays and lesbians to serve openly in the military. Of all the politicians in Washington, McCain has been the most recalcitrant about repealing DADT, by turns citing the need for further studies, consultations with top brass, and the status quo as reasons not to abandon the policy just yet. While frustrated by the foot-dragging, Coye says that a lifetime in the military lets her see where McCain and others are coming from.

Download the WNYC podcast about these issues, the author, etc., here. Coye recently wrote about senator McCain in The Seattle Times. The article was titled, "Time for Sen. McCain to support ending the military's 'don't ask, don't tell' policy." She begins with:

ALMOST 70 years ago, Johnny McCain and Beth Coye, ages 5 and 4, played together on the sands of the Panama Canal Zone. Their mothers, Roberta and Betty, were part of the Navy's submarine family and no doubt were discussing the possibility of their husbands going off to war as the children frolicked in the sands.

Coye closes with: "The American people now welcome gay men and lesbians to the table: More than 89 percent believe gay men and lesbians should have equal rights in the workplace. The Pentagon's exhaustive report found that 70 percent of troops do not believe the change would have a negative impact on morale, and troop readiness would not be affected. The Pentagon Study Group is convinced that our military can repeal DADT, even during this time of war. We can only hope that John will take off his blinders and welcome us to the table, too."