Anti-LGBT Army Secretary Nominee Mark Green Withdraws From Consideration

In a radio interview, Green claimed trans Americans were an "evil" that must be "crushed."
From: NewNowNext

Mark Green, Donald Trump’s nominee for Secretary of the Army, has withdrawn his name for consideration after months of criticism from LGBT advocates, who point to his lengthy record of homophobia and transphobia.

“Mark Green’s dangerous views and hateful comments are disqualifying for any public servant, let alone someone wishing to serve as secretary of the Army,” said HRC’s Chad Griffin. “His nomination was a clear indication of Donald Trump’s lack of judgement and failure to be a president for all Americans.”

As Tennessee state Senator, Green authored a bill that would allow businesses to ignore local anti-discrimination policies as long as they were in compliance with state law. He also encouraged Tennessee clerks to deny marriage licenses to gay couples, and has repeatedly used slurs against transgender Americans.

Despite the fact that the Armed Forces lifted its ban on trans service members last year, Green declared trans people were an “evil” that must be “crushed,” in an April 20 radio appearance on The Hotwash with CJ and Alex.

“There are 300,000 rapes in the United States every year,” said Green, a former Army medic. “Three hundred thousand women who are sexually assaulted by predators. We know this. It’s documented. It’s factual. To think that some young guy isn’t going to take advantage of the system where we’re going to allow guys to go into the bathroom ― the women’s bathroom ― to think that it’s not going to happen is just ridiculous.”

In the same segment, Green opposed welcoming Syrian refugees.

“I’m going to protect women in their bathrooms, and I’m going to protect our state against potential infiltration from the Syrian ISIS people in the refugee program. And whoever wants to stand up and take me on that, I’m ready to fight.”

GLAAD’s Sarah Kate Ellis said the White House must have been “desperate” to pick Green.

“Mark Green’s anti-LGBTQ remarks should disqualify anyone seeking to be in charge of the United States Army, which includes many out and proud soldiers. Our nation is strongest when we are together ― and calling transgender people ‘evil’ does just the opposite.”

Previous Secretary of the Army Eric Fanning was the first openly gay head of a branch of the U.S. military.