I don’t see it as a sellout. After all - he had the backbone to speak out against the bogus report that Obama used to ram this pro-gay policy through congress.
Gates will follow the laws, his oath, and the legal orders of his Commander-In Chief, but we know where his heart is.
My reading on his statement is that he will do what he must under the law but he will not allow open acknowledgement or displays of homosexualism to deteriorate the disipline and efficiency of the Corps.
He cannot legally stop some from being homosexuals and he will not allow abuse of homosexuals, but he can stop them from being flaming fags and acting in any way that embarrasses the Marines Corps or other Marines or affects their combat readiness in any way.
When he says he “will personally lead this effort, thus ensuring the respect and dignity due all Marines”, I believe he is saying that he will not allow homosexuals, or their conduct, to erode the respect and dignity of the Marine Corps in general and specifically, that of the non-homosexual Marines.