Activists seek followup on Ensign and “Don’t Ask” repeal

Las Vegas activists are seeking a followup meeting with Sen. John Ensign after an initial get-together last week with one of his aides on the issue of gays in the military seems to have spawned only confusion.

Following the meeting Thursday at Ensign's office in the Lloyd George Federal Building, the activists said they were told by his local military liaison the Nevada Republican was going to vote to repeal the "don't ask, don't tell" law that bans gays from serving openly in the armed forces.

But Ensign's spokeswoman denied any such promise was made, saying the visitors had "mischaracterized" what they had been told, and that Ensign remains uncommitted.

That came as a surprise to the citizen-lobbyists representing the Progressive Leadership Alliance of Nevada, the Stonewall Democrats of Nevada, Equality Nevada, and the Gay, Lesbian & Straight Education Network of Southern Nevada.

"I am just blown away. There was no mistake whatsoever," Derek Washington, chairman of the Stonewall Democratic Club of Southern Nevada, said today.

"There were about eight of us there and I know every single one of us would submit to a lie detector test and pass it with flying colors. I don't think Margot Allen would," Washington said, referring to the Ensign aide.

State Sen. David Parks, D-Las Vegas, said he understood Allen to say that Ensign planned to vote for repeal unless there were some major unforeseen show-stoppers in an upcoming Pentagon report on the topic.

Parks, who is openly gay, said he supposed it was possible there was miscommunication between Ensign and his Las Vegas aide, or that the senator was trying to preserve himself some wiggle room.

"The implication was he was in support of this repeal," said Parks, who served in the Air Force from 1967 to 1971. "Needless to say what we are now hearing coming from the senator's office is not what we were told in his waiting room."

Parks said it was also possible a press release the alliance put out on Friday announcing Ensign's commitment "might have been a little too optimistic if something came out of the report that would cause great concern."

Activist Laura Martin said she was trying to set up another meeting.

"I've been calling (Ensign's) office. I emailed them," Martin said. "We of course want to meet with them again. I would love to talk with Senator Ensign. I know we're not Republicans but I don't think that should matter."

Ensign's office had no immediate comment today on what exactly the visitors were told about the "don't ask, don't tell" law and whether he would meet with the group.

The Senate is expected to vote after Thanksgiving on repealing the law. Ensign is viewed as a potential swing vote.

Ensign spokeswoman Jennifer Cooper said he is not opposed to repeal but wanted to wait until he can review the Pentagon study. A Pentagon spokesman said it would be released on Nov. 30.

In a letter he sends to constituents, Ensign says he believes"Americans, regardless of their sexual orientation, should be able to fight and risk their lives in defense of this great nation."

But, it also says: "major changes" to personnel while troops are in combat "could be a major distraction and could degrade our troops' ability to successfully complete the mission."