Equador Considers allowing Gays in the Military

The web site Blabbeanado is reporting that Ecuadorian Defense Minister, Lorena Escudero has announced her resignation from office in the wake of her efforts to allow gays and lesbians to serve in the Ecudorian armed forces. Ms. Escudero's troubles began last week when El Universo reported that the Ecuadorian Defense Ministry intended to revise its regulations and allow gays and lesbians to serve in that country's military. Such a move would have placed Ecuador on a growing list of 24 nations that allow gays and lesbians to serve openly in their armed forces (Australia, Austria, Belgium, Britain, Canada, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Ireland, Italy, Israel, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Netherlands, New Zealand, Norway, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland & South Africa). According to the report, Ms. Escudero's efforts were part of a larger reform package that would have brought the country's military in line with the Ecuadorian constitution, which bans discrimination based on sexual orientation. In a carefully crafted statement to media, Ms. Escudero explained that her efforts were aimed specifically at retaining gay and lesbian soldiers who were already in service, and should not be seen as an effort to recruit gays and lesbians into the armed forces. However, by Friday, August 31st Ms. Escudero announced her resignation. That same day, media outlets reported that Dr. Wellington Sandoval would become the next head of the Ecuadorian Defence Ministry. All is not lost for Ecuadorians who beleive that gays and lesbians should be allowed to serve in their military. Before her departure, Ms. Escudero told reporters that Ecuadorian President, Rafael Correra told her, "It is the role of government to advocate for equal rights."