Pentagon Defends Gay Questionnaire

The Pentagon is on the defensive about a questionnaire, sent to 400,000 members of the military, that asked provocative questions about what they would do if they had to shower with a gay person or if they would shop at the same store on post as a gay neighbor. The Defense Department says the survey was meant to help it prepare for integrating gays and lesbians into the military, but critics say the questions were biased and meant to inflame homophobic fears. The confidential, $4.5 million survey was sent out this week, and the press quickly obtained copies. Polling data could be skewed by outcry over the questions, the Pentagon says, insisting that the questionnaire is not a referendum on ending Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell.