WASHINGTON — Senior Republican Senator John McCain's wife Cindy has condemned the US military ban on gays serving openly -- even as her husband battles efforts to lift or ease the widely unpopular restrictions.
In a new video for a campaign aimed at battling abuse of lesbian, gay, bisexual or transgender (LGBT) youth, Cindy McCain bluntly blames the policy for encouraging bullies to target such teens.
"Our political and religious leaders tell LGBT youth that they have no future," she says in the video, which stars a range of actors, musicians, and other celebrities. "They can't serve our country openly."
Referring to bullies who target LGBT, Cindy McCain declares: "Our government treats the LGBT community like second class citizens -- why shouldn't they?"
The senator's office did not immediately a return a request for comment.
The former presidential hopeful and his wife have disagreed before on gay rights: She has supported same-sex marriage while he opposes it.
The new video emerged after media reports that a Defense Department study group has found that the United States could lift its ban on gays and lesbians serving openly in the military with little risk to current war efforts
The White House is pushing for repeal of the US "Don't Ask, Don't Tell" policy in a year-end session of Congress, before Republicans gain control of the House of Representatives when a new Congress convenes in January.
US public opinion polls have found overwhelming support for scrapping the 17-year-old ban.
(source:afp)
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