|
The New York Times
U.S.
Gay Partner Initially
Barred by Pentagon
By AP from
nytimes.com on the Web, April 1, 2008
WASHINGTON -- The Defense
Department initially blocked the domestic partner of Congresswoman Tammy Baldwin
from going on a congressional delegation trip on a military plane -- but
acquiesced after House Speaker Nancy Pelosi asked that the partner be allowed.
The Pentagon says it was merely following House rules, which allow spouses of
lawmakers on the trips -- but don't specify anything about domestic partners.
A congressional leadership aide confirmed the Pentagon had said Baldwin's
partner, Lauren Azar, could not go on the trip. Defense Secretary Robert
Gates reversed that decision after getting a call from Pelosi, according to the
aide, speaking on the condition of anonymity because of the sensitivity of the
matter.
Baldwin, a Wisconsin Democrat and openly gay House member, declines to talk
about the incident, which was first reported by Politico.
|
