Anti-Gay Bomb Slur Wrong, Navy Says
Anti-Gay Bomb Slur Wrong, Navy Says
WASHINGTON (AP)
- An anti-gay slur written on one of the bombs used in the strikes on Afghanistan was inappropriate and commanders have been directed to prevent similar incidents, a top Navy official said. Pilots or crews of U.S. warplanes often write messages on bombs, either taunting the enemy or praising America. Messages written on bombs during the anti-terrorism airstrikes have included several references to the Sept. 11 attacks. A news photograph of a plane on the USS Enterprise aircraft carrier last week showed one bomb with the message, ``High Jack This,'' followed by an anti-gay slur. The Human Rights Campaign, a gay rights group, complained about the bomb's message. Rear Adm. Stephen Pietropaoli, in a letter to the group Wednesday, said the Navy does not tolerate discrimination and the bomb's message was an ``isolated incident.'' Several newspapers across the country also asked the Navy about the bomb's message earlier this week, said Pietropaoli, the Navy's chief of information. ``We immediately notified Navy commanders involved with Operation Enduring Freedom to ensure steps were taken to prevent a recurrence of this unfortunate incident. They have done so,'' Pietropaoli wrote. Elizabeth Birch, executive director of Human Rights Campaign, said in a statement that the letter was ``a welcome clarification and we are pleased the Navy has stated that this type of anti-gay behavior has no place in our armed forces.''
WASHINGTON (AP)
- An anti-gay slur written on one of the bombs used in the strikes on Afghanistan was inappropriate and commanders have been directed to prevent similar incidents, a top Navy official said. Pilots or crews of U.S. warplanes often write messages on bombs, either taunting the enemy or praising America. Messages written on bombs during the anti-terrorism airstrikes have included several references to the Sept. 11 attacks. A news photograph of a plane on the USS Enterprise aircraft carrier last week showed one bomb with the message, ``High Jack This,'' followed by an anti-gay slur. The Human Rights Campaign, a gay rights group, complained about the bomb's message. Rear Adm. Stephen Pietropaoli, in a letter to the group Wednesday, said the Navy does not tolerate discrimination and the bomb's message was an ``isolated incident.'' Several newspapers across the country also asked the Navy about the bomb's message earlier this week, said Pietropaoli, the Navy's chief of information. ``We immediately notified Navy commanders involved with Operation Enduring Freedom to ensure steps were taken to prevent a recurrence of this unfortunate incident. They have done so,'' Pietropaoli wrote. Elizabeth Birch, executive director of Human Rights Campaign, said in a statement that the letter was ``a welcome clarification and we are pleased the Navy has stated that this type of anti-gay behavior has no place in our armed forces.''
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