Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell
by Don’t ask, Don’t tell, is what gays and lesbians in the military have been told since 1993. Hopefully that is changing. Defense Secretary Robert Gates and Adm. Mike Mullen testified last week in a hearing of the Senate Armed Services Committee in favor of ending Pentagon’s restrictions against gay men and lesbians in the military.
A first step was taken last week in a hearing of the Senate Armed Services Committee. Defense Secretary Robert Gates and Adm. Mike Mullen, chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, testified in favor of ending the Pentagon’s restriction against gay men and lesbians in the military. The policy has been “don’t ask, don’t tell” requiring military personal to hide their sexuality in order to serve their country. It still might take 10 or 20 years but gays and lesbians are on the way to receiving justice at last.
We can look forward to a day when gays and lesbians will have the same liberties that everyone else enjoys. They will be protected from discrimination in housing and employment. Fall in love and marry, adopt children, and make end of life decisions for their partner.
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Adm. Mullins said, “Speaking for myself and for myself only, it is my personal belief that allowing lesbians and gays to serve openly is the right thing to do. No matter how I look at this issue, I cannot escape being troubled by the fact that we have a policy in place which forces young men and women, to lie about who they are, in order to defend their fellow citizens.”
Senator John McCain promptly reversed his 4 year old promise that he would be guided by the opinion of military leaders. Instead he said that he was deeply disappointed by Mullins and Gates testimony. There always has to be someone who fights any action for progress and McCain seems to be holding down that position.
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Leonard Pitts says, ” The basic architecture of this issue hasn’t changed since 1993. Gay people haven’t changed. Service hasn’t changed. What has changed is us. We watched, “Will and Grace” We made gay friends, we found some measure of acceptance that had always eluded us.”
It is a foolish idea and a waste of taxpayers money to kick a military person out because he are she is gay or lesbian. It’s a waste of resources and ability. Plus an insult to a person because some others don’t agree with their sexual orientation.
We can’t ask people to wait until we are ready to accept them. Those who we consider different have just as much right to live, work and be accepted for who they are as we do. We don’t have the right to say who deserves it and who doesn’t. It’s wrong to say a person can’t serve in the military because of their sexuality. As good as it is to see the march of progress, military careers have been needlessly broken by antiquated ideas that should never have been in place. What is it we are afraid of anyway?
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Post CommentDaisy Peasblossom
On February 13, 2010 at 9:57 am
Excellent work, Ruby! Acceptance is going to still take a long, long time, but this one step will help with easing confusion and pain for a lot of young people.
CRYSTAL EVANS
On February 13, 2010 at 10:36 am
good article..people should not be discriminated against because their lifestle are different from ours.
Paul Roberts
On February 13, 2010 at 11:29 am
Service to your country or service to yourself, either way, be true to those around you. We already know, now let the words come out as truth. Some of the staunches contenders, later were revealed as gay. Honorable service marred by a lie. Friend, fan, smile
martie
On February 13, 2010 at 11:55 am
It was always a stupid policy to begin with and so unneccesary.
Frances Lawrence
On February 13, 2010 at 12:11 pm
In UK we are ahead of you in establishing these rights in law and I thiught we were shamefully late in dealing with it!
Anuradha Ramkumar
On February 13, 2010 at 1:18 pm
I’m not sure how long it will take to accept. In our country, this acceptance has not yet come.
Kate Smedley
On February 13, 2010 at 1:52 pm
I agree with you Ruby, what does it matter – and what are we afraid of?! Great article.
PR Mace
On February 13, 2010 at 2:16 pm
Ruby, I really agree with you. What does it matter what people do behind closed doors in the bedroom. Acceptance is needed but I think a long time if ever coming.
Authoress Terry E. Lyle
On February 13, 2010 at 2:39 pm
Ruby great article as usual and it’s about time we live up to the standards that the United States pride themselves on, that all men and or women are to be treated equally. Thumbs up on this article.
8Shei8
On February 13, 2010 at 3:39 pm
It has been a long struggle and it is not over! Great article Ruby.
Judy Sheldon
On February 13, 2010 at 11:10 pm
What two consenting adults chose to do in the privacy of their bedrooms should have no bearing on their rights. Good points, Ruby.
Shirley Shuler
On February 14, 2010 at 12:19 am
I couldn’t agree with you more, Rudy. Great article.
albert1jemi
On February 14, 2010 at 7:27 am
interesting one
bailieman
On February 14, 2010 at 8:30 am
I remember reading that Gay men were being singled out for ill treatment by their fellow soldiers and some deaths in training camps were suspicious. This was one of the reason behind the Don’t ash, don’t tell situation.
sambhafusia
On February 15, 2010 at 4:53 am
nice share..interesting..thnx for sharing..