The controversial repeal of the “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell” policy regarding homosexuals serving in the military, may be a moot point for the Oklahoma National Guard if State Rep. Mike Reynolds, R-91, has his way.
Reynolds proposed HB2195 in early January that would reinstate the policy, implemented by federal law in 1993. The Obama administration’s repeal of the policy took effect Sept. 20, 2011. Reynolds’ bill would return the Oklahoma National Guard to the policy it lived under for the past 16 years, Reynolds said.
“I feel like it is very important to show support to the military by returning the National Guard to the policy it had for 16 years before Obama and his homosexual agenda,” he said.
Reynolds said his bill is legal because the National Guard is under the authority of the governor and not the federal government.
“I think it will be a great encouragement to many of the members of the Guard,” Reynolds said.
The Virginia Legislature killed a similar bill in committee last year. Reynolds said since the bill is not in committee yet, he doesn’t know what kind of support it has, but a few representatives have indicated like the idea and asked questions about the bill.
The Human Rights Campaign and the Equality Network of Oklahoma condemned the legislation in a joint statement saying, “The bill goes beyond the discrimination contained in the now-repealed DADT statute, and allows government officials to directly question someone about their sexual orientation – essentially removing the “Don’t Ask” component contained in DADT.”
The next step is for the bill to be assigned to a committee and Reynolds is hoping for a hearing in committee in February. The next legislative session begins Feb. 6.
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