"Obama nominates openly gay man to lead army"

Unit: The Constitution

Link: http://www.cnn.com/2015/09/18/politics/eric-fanning-secretary-of-the-army/index.html

Synopsis:
In this article, Kristen Holmes reports on the President's decision to nominate Eric K. Fanning to the office of secretary of the United States Army. The President elucidated on Fanning's knowledge of the military branch through experience and leadership in the field. Fanning, an openly gay man, will be the first gay secretary of the military branch. He worked as chief of staff to Secretary of Defense Ash Carter and then under secretary of the Army since June, 2015. Carter voiced his own support for Fanning: "I know he will strengthen our Army, build on its best traditions, and prepare our ground forces to confront a new generation of challenges". The American Military Partner Association, a group for families of LGBTQ soldiers and veterans to gain advice and relief, also backs up the nomination. Because of Fanning's sexuality, the President's decision appears to be emphasizing the cessation of the "Don't Ask, Don't Tell" policy that kept gay men and lesbian women from dedicating their service to the United States Army. He additionally maintained support of transgender people serving in the Army, momentous in the gay rights movement attempting to erase the powerful sentiments of homophobia clinging to the institution.

Analysis:
Considering the steps made in the gay rights movement what with the legalization of nationwide same-sex marriage this year, further progress in other facets of society is clear. The case of Obergefell v. Hodges in the United States Supreme Court made the ban against same-sex marriage unconstitutional, overturning previous cases over the issue like Baker v. Nelson in 1971. Using the rights outlined in the Fourteenth Amendment, due process in justice and equal protection under the law made the Supreme Court Justice's decision. This is significant considering the words of the constitution and the natural rights of the people protected within its command are now ensuring the life, liberty, and happiness of gay and lesbian individuals. However, the constitutional rights of military members are not similar to the civilian rights because of the nature of the institution and the actions with which it operates. For example, the searching of individual soldier's private property and the structure of militia law are set in place for the preservation of the whole. Although the fact that the sexuality of a man is an issue in his search for an occupation poses some concerns over personal privacy, since Fanning is openly gay it is not unreasonable to infer that he will allot part of his position of secretary of the United States Army to the integration and support of LGBTQ service men and women. Because of stigmatization over societally unconventional sexualities, the President's nomination is a reflection on the government's growing recognition of the diversity of the citizenry.  Overall, this article encapsulates another win for equality in both a social and legal facet that will serve as an example for the creation and enforcement of gay rights in the United States Army.