Democratic U.S. Senator Tim Kaine of Virginia and his Republican opponent engaged in a debate in Norfolk on Wednesday, during which a controversial remark was made by the Republican candidate, Hung Cao.
Cao, a retired Navy captain endorsed by former President Donald Trump, faced backlash for his comments regarding diversity, equity, and inclusion initiatives within the military. He also insinuated that LGBTQ+ military personnel may not be suitable for service.
Cao’s comments faced immediate backlash from LGBTQ+ activists and military officials.
During a discussion about the military’s recruitment struggles, Cao expressed his belief that DEI efforts were responsible for negatively impacting recruitment efforts.
Cao expressed his disapproval of using drag queens as a recruitment strategy for the Navy, stating that they are not the type of people they are looking for.
According to him, what the Navy needs are individuals with strong and assertive personalities, both male and female, who have the determination and courage to go to extreme lengths to achieve their goals.
He emphasized the importance of having young men and women who possess the qualities necessary to emerge victorious in times of war.
The military service statement faced criticism due to its outdated and discriminatory portrayal of LGBTQ+ troops.
Rachel Branaman, the executive director of the Modern Military Association of America, strongly criticized Hung Cao’s remarks in an interview with The Advocate. She emphasized that LGBTQ+ Americans have been proudly serving in the military since the inception of the nation.
From historical figures like Baron von Steuben, known as the father of the Infantry, to Albert Cashier, a soldier during the Civil War, to the current nearly 100,000 LGBTQ+ troops serving in various roles across the armed services, their contributions should be recognized and respected.
Branaman expressed her disappointment with Cao’s comments, stating that they undermine the service and sacrifice of LGBTQ+ individuals currently serving in the military, many of whom are risking their lives.
She also highlighted the over one million LGBTQ+ veterans who have dedicated themselves to the country, some even enduring significant physical and mental hardships. Cao’s remarks, according to Branaman, do a disservice to all these individuals who have served and continue to serve the United States.
Branaman emphasized that the notion of being a “good soldier” and being “tough” being incompatible with being LGBTQ+ is not only backward but also perilous. He firmly believes that the military becomes stronger and more efficient due to its diversity, not despite it.
“LGBTQ+ individuals have been serving in the military since its inception; the only change is that now they cannot be dismissed solely based on their sexual orientation.
It is as straightforward as that. Criticizing those who courageously aim to protect and serve our nation goes against the core values of America,” expressed Narissa Rahaman, the executive director of Equality Virginia, in a statement.
During the debate, Kaine, a strong advocate for LGBTQ+ inclusion in the military, promptly addressed Cao’s criticism. As the father of a Marine Corps veteran, Kaine firmly dismissed Cao’s claim that DEI initiatives were responsible for recruitment difficulties.
Instead, he emphasized the significance of tackling broader recruitment challenges and emphasized the need to encourage diverse groups to consider military service.
“I couldn’t grasp the argument of my opponent,” Kaine admitted. “He seemed to beat around the bush, and I’m not entirely certain what he was trying to say about DEI.”
He proceeded to address the actual challenges concerning military recruitment, stating, “What we’re discovering is the difficulty of attracting individuals to serve in the all-volunteer military — only 1 percent actually enlist.
A large number of people don’t even have a personal connection to anyone in the military. We must strive to engage with new demographics and communities.”
Kaine also emphasized the tremendous advantages of military service and the importance of effectively conveying those benefits to young individuals.
He highlighted that people often have the misconception that serving in the military will hinder their progress. However, in reality, military service can propel individuals forward due to the multitude of benefits it offers, such as the GI Bill and other valuable opportunities.
Democratic Senator Tim Kaine expressed his unwavering support for LGBTQ+ service members in a statement to The Advocate. He emphasized his dedication to fighting for the rights of all individuals to serve in the military and recognized the significant contributions made by LGBTQ troops.
As a member of the Senate Armed Services Committee, Kaine has consistently championed equality and inclusivity within the military. He dismissed his opponent’s peculiar attack, highlighting that it does not align with the attitudes he encounters during his regular interactions with servicemen and women.
Cao’s remarks implied a potential revival of past policies that used to prohibit LGBTQ+ individuals from serving openly.
During the debate, Cao made controversial comments on immigration, asserting that the U.S. spends “a billion dollars a day to house and feed illegal aliens” and advocating for mass deportations.
His remarks further raised concerns as he perpetuated stereotypes by stating, “There are two truths in the world: never walk into a Target wearing a red shirt, and never go against an Asian on math.”
Cao made a false accusation against Kaine regarding reproductive rights, claiming that he supports “unlimited abortion up to including [the] moment of birth.”
This is a common misrepresentation of pro-choice positions and is not an accurate reflection of Kaine’s stance. In response, Kaine clarified that his position aligns with Virginia law, which already includes restrictions on late-term abortions.
