homeEntertainment

First openly gay army secretary confirmed by US Senate

Suzette Gutierrez Cachila May 21, 2016 02:45 PM EST

Eric Fanning in an undated photo. September 18, 2015 06:05pm EDT | REUTERS/DoD

The Senate confirmed on Tuesday, May 17 the nomination of Eric Fanning, who stands as the United States' first openly gay person to become Army secretary.

Fanning was nominated by Pres. Barack Obama in September 2015. However, it was temporarily put on hold by Kansas Sen. Pat Roberts to prioritize another issue regarding Guantanamo Bay detainees. After being reassured by the administration that the detainees will not be transferred to Fort Leavenworth in Kansas, Roberts released the hold on the nomination.

Gay rights and human rights groups consider Fanning's confirmation as a milestone in the U.S. military.

"Eric Fanning's historic confirmation today as Secretary of the U.S. Army is a demonstration of the continued progress towards fairness and equality in our nation's armed forces," Human Rights Campaign President Chad Griffin said in a statement.

Fanning served as the Air Force undersecretary from 2013 to 2015 and was acting secretary for about six months. He also served as special assistant to the Deputy Secretary of Defense, Robert Work.

Fanning also became principal adviser to the Army secretary regarding operation and management. Functioning as the Army's chief management officer, he likewise advised the Secretary on how to efficiently manage the business operations of the Army.

His duties as Army secretary will encompass all concerns of the U.S. Army, including weapons systems and equipment acquisition, manpower, installations, personnel, environmental concerns, reserve affairs, financial management and communications.

"I'm honored by today's Senate confirmation and thrilled to return to lead the total Army team," Fanning said.

The 47-year-old Dartmouth College graduate was unanimously confirmed. Some considered his nomination a "historic moment."

"Congratulations to Eric Fanning on historic appointment as the first openly gay @SECARMY," House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi tweeted.

Sen. Dan Sullivan also praised Fanning's confirmation in a tweet, saying it was "an historic moment for #LGBT service members."

Latest News

Sight & Sound’s ‘David’ showcases a king's sincere heart to pursue God

LANCASTER, Pa. — Four years in the making, the production “David” opened at Sight & Sound Theatres this year and explores the journey of an unassuming shepherd boy who became a king.

Presbyterian Church in America votes to leave National Association of Evangelicals

The Presbyterian Church in America has voted to leave the National Association of Evangelicals due to the ...

Secular intolerance of Christians' views is leading to self-censorship, report warns

Secular intolerance has a “chilling effect” on Christians who are having to practice “various forms of self-censorship” as they're finding it difficult to express their faith freely in society, according to a new report detailing accounts from four countries.

Over 50 killed in 'vile and satanic' attack at Nigerian church on Pentecost Sunday

Gunmen suspected to be Islamic Fulani herdsmen barged into a Catholic Church in southwestern Nigeria, opened fire and detonated explosives while the congregation was celebrating Mass on Pentecost Sunday, killing at least 50 worshipers, including women and children. It's feared that some Christians were also abducted after the attack.

Leah Sharibu held captive over 1,500 days in Nigeria, but family advocates haven't lost hope

For more than 1,500 days, Nigerian Christian teenager Leah Sharibu has been held captive by the Boko Haram terrorist group as Christians continue to be the target of attacks in the West African nation.