From a Human Rights Campaign press release:
WASHINGTON - Today, the Human Rights Campaign (HRC), the nation's largest lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender (LGBT) civil rights organization, praised the news that Eric Fanning, who is openly gay, will be nominated to serve as Secretary of the U.S. Army by President Barack Obama. Fanning currently serves as Acting Under Secretary of the Army.
"Eric Fanning is the perfect choice to lead the world's best-trained, most dedicated, and formidable Army," said HRC President Chad Griffin. "Considering the tremendous struggles that LGBT Americans have faced within the Department of Defense, Fanning's nomination is deeply significant. This is a sign of hope and a demonstration of continued progress towards fairness and equality in our nation's armed forces. We urge the Senate to quickly confirm this remarkably experienced candidate to this important post."
Earlier today, HRC also praised the news that Amanda Simpson was sworn in as Deputy Assistant Secretary (DAS) of Defense for Operational Energy. DAS Simpson is the nation's highest ranking openly transgender official in the Obama Administration.
The Human Rights Campaign is America's largest civil rights organization working to achieve lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender equality. HRC envisions a world where LGBT people are embraced as full members of society at home, at work and in every community.
From a White House Office of Communications press release
Secretary of Defense Ash Carter statement on the nomination of Eric Fanning to be Secretary of the Army:
"Today, I want to congratulate Eric Fanning for his nomination to be the next secretary of the Army. President Obama has made an excellent choice, and I hope for a quick Senate confirmation.
"Eric served as my first chief of staff at the Pentagon, and it has been a privilege over the course of my career to work alongside him and watch him develop into one of our country's most knowledgeable, dedicated, and experienced public servants. I know he will strengthen our Army, build on its best traditions, and prepare our ground forces to confront a new generation of challenges."
From the American Military Partner Association:
Washington, DC — Today, the American Military Partner Association (AMPA), the nation's largest support organization for lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender (LGBT) military families, praised the news that President Obama has chosen to nominate Eric Fanning as Secretary of the U.S. Army — making him the first openly gay civilian to be nominated as secretary of one of the military services.
"We are thrilled to see Eric Fanning nominated to lead the world's greatest Army," said AMPA President Ashley Broadway-Mack. "History continues to be written and equality marches forward with the nomination of an openly gay man to serve in this significantly important role. Fanning's expertise and knowledge within the defense community together with his sensitivity to issues faced by LGBT service members and their families is why we urge the Senate to move quickly to confirm his appointment.
Fanning has been acting undersecretary of the Army since June 2015, and has also served at senior levels in both the Navy and the Air Force.
For more information about the American Military Partner Association and LGBT military families, please visit our home on the web at www.MilitaryPartners.org .
The American Military Partner Association, a non-profit and non-partisan organization, is the nation's largest organization of the partners, spouses, families, and allies of America's LGBT service members and veterans. Based in Washington DC. AMPA is committed to education, advocacy, and support for our "modern military families."
