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But GOP Rep. Pat Tiberi of Genoa Township and Sen. George V. Voinovich want to hear more before they make up their minds -- and noted that the military will be studying how to move forward on the issue. Several other Ohio Republican lawmakers remain leery or outright opposed to a repeal of the policy.
Adm. Mike Mullen, chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, told lawmakers this week that he supports repealing the policy banning gays and lesbians who are open about their sexual orientation from serving in the military. That followed President Barack Obama's calling for the repeal during his State of the Union address last week.
Brown supports that repeal, said Meghan Dubyak, spokeswoman for the Ohio Democrat.
Kilroy said yesterday she agrees with Mullen that a change is needed.
"I'm also troubled by the fact that we have in place a policy which forces young men and women to lie about who they are in order to defend their fellow citizens," Kilroy said.
Military leaders have said it could take a year for the military to figure out how to accomplish the repeal.
Asked for Tiberi's position, spokeswoman Breann Gonzalez said the Genoa Township Republican is focusing on economic and national security concerns right now.
"As Adm. Mullen said in front of the Senate ... a study about 'don't ask, don't tell' won't be complete for another year," Gonzalez said. "Congressman Tiberi looks forward to reviewing legislative proposals when they're introduced and will continue to focus on creating jobs and helping Ohio's businesses thrive again."
Voinovich spokeswoman Garrette Silverman said the Republican senator is "examining the impact of the current policy and the implications and ramifications of changing that policy. Once that process is complete, and he has reviewed (the Defense Department's) report, he will make a statement on the issue."
Also saying he intends to study the issue is Democratic Rep. Zack Space of Dover. A spokesman for Space said that "there are certainly a range of opinions on this issue, and Congressman Space respects the passionate views on all sides."
Rep. Steve Austria wants to know from frontline military leaders whether the policy should be changed.
" 'Don't ask, don't tell' seems to be working, and we should be consulting with our commanders on the ground on whether or not there is a problem and if the current policy needs to be reviewed," the Beavercreek Republican said.
GOP Rep. Jim Jordan of Urbana remains opposed to repealing the policy.
"Active-duty military service and civilian life are vastly different, and I would have great concerns about what introducing open homosexuality into the military might do to jeopardize the effectiveness, readiness and preparedness of our military," Jordan said.
Dispatch reporter Jack Torry contributed to this story.
jriskind@dispatch.com
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