Barney Frank’s Republican House challenger Sean Bielat argued this weekend that gay people should be as accepting of the fact that they can’t serve in the military — since people under 5’2” tall are also prohibited.
“There’s no absolute right to serve. Men under the height of 5 feet, 2 inches can’t serve — I don’t see anybody protesting,” Bielat said, according to the Boston Herald. “Where are the people standing in front of the White House, the short guys standing in front of the White House? You don’t see it.”
“We understand that there’s no absolute right to serve in all these other areas,” he went on.
Bielat has been scrutinized in recent days for gay baiting — subtly and unflatteringly alluding to Frank’s homosexuality. If he’s looking to dispel those rumors, his anti-gay rights stance on Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell won’t help.
Brian Beutler
Brian Beutler is TPM's senior congressional reporter. Since 2009, he's led coverage of health care reform, Wall Street reform, taxes, the GOP budget, the government shutdown fight, and the debt limit fight. He can be reached at brian@talkingpointsmemo.com.
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