Defense Officials Move To Repeal 'Don't Ask, Don't Tell!'
The nation's top defense officials declared yesterday that they are moving forward with the plan to repeal the US military's "don't ask, don't tell" policy that would mean gay men and women to serve their country openly. Defense Secretary Robert Gates and Joint Chiefs Chairman Adm. Mike Mullen have requested a year to study the impact of such a decision before Congress would lift the policy.
Mullen spoke about the controversial policy at the Senate hearing.
"No matter how I look at the issue, I cannot escape being 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. For me, it comes down to integrity – theirs as individuals and ours as an institution."
Beautifully spoken!! And so right on all counts!!
Although President Barack Obama has endorsed the 11 month review of how to lift the ban, there is no deadline to end the policy. Gates, however, plans to to loosen the enforcement of the rule in the meantime. If the policy is repealed, it would be the largest change to the military since President Truman integrated the services in 1948!!!
However, as to be expected, many Republicans on the Senate Armed Services Committee were strongly against the proposition for change, including Senator John McCain, who claimed to be "deeply disappointed" and claiming the assesment to be "clearly biased" in presuming the law should be changed.
Well, we're 'deeply disappointed' that that your 'clearly biased' bigotry is affecting your ability to reason rationally! Not that we're surprised!!
We think that Colorado Senator Mark Udall, who quoted Senator Barry Goldwater, said it best:
"You don't have to be straight to shoot straight."
AGREED! We're thrilled that there are so many officials - including some Republicans!! - fighting the good fight in Washington, DC!! It's time to end this silly, hate-fueled policy!!
What do U think?? Should 'don't ask, don't tell' be repealed??
[Image via AP Images.]
Fall Out Boy Breaks Up For Good?
What Did You Expect, Franken-Heidi?!
The biggest disappointment I felt in the Clinton administration was this policy….I am so pleased that more equality is being considered..and gained!
If you're so thrilled douchebag how about enlisting? You'll be in charge of Homoland Security.
"The nation's top defense officials declared yesterday that they are moving forward with the plan to repeal the US military's "don't ask, don't tell" policy that would mean gay men and women to serve their country openly" - WHAT???? that's not an entire sentence….it doesn't make any sense………another example of your inaptness and lack of intelligence…………
Hell yes it should! It should not matter if a person is gay or straight, who am I to tell someone that he cannot defend his or her own country because they choose to sleep with someone of the opposite sex. It was a stupid law/rule in the first place!
Yes! It should be repealed. Just think back to when black and white units were segregated. Doesn't that seem preposterous now? In time, we will look back on the bigotry towards homosexuals with the same shame and incredulity as we do racism.
I'm a straight member of the military and I think it is abotu time! Anyone who has a problem with it is the problem. Those who "worry" about gay people hitting on them… Well, I don't want straight guys hitting on me at work… THAT is inappropriate and it is the same for same-sex offenses…
The year to study is a delay tactic. The Pentagon already studied this issue back in 1989. Their own Pentagon and DOD researchers concluded that there was no reason to keep gays out of the military, so the Pentagon tried to bury the report until some Congressment demanded to see it. It's already been studied, there are already thousands in the military serving openly who's commanders haven't tried to kick them out, stop wasting time.
I think its a good thing to have if they're gonna ask if someone is gay & if they are, they won't let you serve. But otherwise, I don't see why it has to be repealed, unless people are planning on being openly gay, which I don't have a problem with, but otherwise I think its fine that they have it.
But, because I don't fully understand what it is, like is it preventing homosexuals from serving?, I feel that any orientation, nationality, ethnicity, etc, should be able to serve.
It's NOT, I repeat, NOT going to happen. The study is just that, a study. One of the things they will be looking at in the study is providing separate facilities (housing and/or showers) for gay soldiers, since most straight soldiers won't want to sleep or shower with them. With those kinds of conditions, I think most gays in the military will just decide to stay in the closet.
Plus, the votes aren't in Congress now to repeal it (many Dems are even against it), and, with Democrats expected to lose big in November, there will be even less of a chance of repeal in the next few years. Obama has the power to repeal it on his own if he wanted to, but he won't. He doesn't want that on his hands….he'll lose the black vote. He's such a coward!
itz
none
of their
effen buzinezz…
if anything
they zhould hire the gayz
b/4 the otherz
coz clearly they r better
at everything than normal lazee
effffffffzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz
Oh, and Senator McCain is being challanged from the right in AZ, and his poll numbers are tanking so he thinks taht attacking gays will get the right off his back. To show you what a hypocrite he is. His chief of staff Mark Buse is openly gay and has worked for the Senator for over 20 years and yet McCain is willing to throw him under the bus to try to keep his job. What a cynical hypocrite!
This is the biggest win for the gay community in a long while. Repealing this will add huge strides to public opinion about lgbtq issues. If/When repealed I think people will start to think differently about the rights we currently deny the gay community. A change in pulic opinion is the first step toward changing laws!
Barry Goldwater is a fierce Libertarian (RINO), so that's why he is in favor of gay marriage!
he was probably one of the best politicians EVER.
Mario please enlist and go to Afghanistan to help our troops.
this was a pleasant thing to read, of course it should be repealed, and of course it won't be repealed as soon as we are being told it will be, even if that is a lengthy 11-months…. DC is ridiculous…
You act like gays are a different species, Parasite. I think most of us here grasp that you are a freak (a gay-agenda obsessed freak), but most of us don't focus on the sexuality of another person. I don't sit in a restaurant and wonder if the people at the nearby table are gay, or what they think about gays. And don't start on the "rights" shit. What you do with your genitals is no one's business, and it's not a "civil right." Get over this shit already.
.
Re: Honk_If_You_Hate_Perez – ROFL … you never disappoint.
my thought is, why does it matter? I never talk about where I am sticking my dick at work. Shouldn't matter if you are gay or straight, has nothing to do with the job.
I wish all the gays would stop thinking most people care whether or not they are gay. I'd say 90% of the people out there just dont give a damn what anyone else does in the bedroom.
As long as the study is to see how they are going to repeal don't ask, don't tell and not if they are going to repeal it then it will be fine. Its about time.
Gay, Straight, Purple, Blue…………. who cares! They are OUR soldiers, risking their lives for OUR FREEDOM. Aren't we (America) past this?? We are better as a nation than this- sounds like to me that they are trying to segregate again, just with a different reason. What it comes down to for me is the integrity, abilities, and quality of a person. What does their sexual orientation have to do with it? Nothing, if you ask me. Sounds like they deserve the very thing they are expected to fight for in a war zone- to name a few: Freedom, Equality, and the right to live as they so choose.
Although I don't agree with members of the military being "medically discharged" for being homosexual but i also understand how it might make certain members of the military uncomfortable. The only reason I say that is because living quarters on a submarine are close, showers are all together, and you even SHARE beds with someone on ships/subs. I'm not saying you can "catch the gay" (hahaha) but it can create some very uncomfortable situations between military members and distrust. When you are running from fire, you need to be comfortable and trust the men around you. Repealing this wont make things better for the military….education about toleration is what's going to make things better
Although I don't agree with members of the military being "medically discharged" for being homosexual but i also understand how it might make certain members of the military uncomfortable. The only reason I say that is because living quarters on a submarine are close, showers are all together, and you even SHARE beds with someone on ships/subs. I'm not saying you can "catch the gay" (hahaha) but it can create some very uncomfortable situations between military members and distrust. When you are running from fire, you need to be comfortable and trust the men around you. Repealing this wont make things better for the military….education about toleration is what's going to make things better
Re: Sam
– They already do serve and have for years. It's not as though repealing "Don't Ask Don't Tell" will finally permit gays to enter the military. They're already there and have been for a long time. The military isn't, under that rule, permitted to ask about sexual orientation, and the personnel aren't allowed to admit their sexuality. I don't care if the rule stays or goes; I'm not in the military, and so it has no impact on my life.
DADT needs to be repealed. I served 21 years in the Navy and the closer I got to my retirement the more worried I became that I'd be outted and could possibly lose my benefits. The policy discriminates…period. I know many gays currently serving and some even risking their lives in the war zones. They deserve to serve our country without the worries of being discharged because they are gay. Society has evolved since the implementation of DADT and NOW is the time for a change to this outdated policy.
And Mario is the CO of the 69th Fighting Cornholers of West Hollywood.
Countries were gays can serve openly:
Australia (always legal) Austria Belgium Bermuda Brazil Canada Czech Republic Denmark Estonia Finland Finland France Germany Ireland Israel Italy Lithuania Luxembourg The Netherlands New Zealand Norway Peru Philippines (as of 2009) Romania Slovenia South Africa Spain Sweden Switzerland United Kingdom and Uruguay
America is in some bad compay along with Russia Iran Nth and South Korea who still ban openly gay service and China, and Japan who refues that gay exsist.
Re: Honk_If_You_Hate_Perez –
at leazt
he'd have
a biggazz
choice..heheheeeee
all thoze cute boybuttz..
woohooooooooooooooooooooooooo
zhitfukzhit
Re: sayswho –
what a gorgeouz doggee♥
NOW….
u r right ..thiz policy did pazz
during the Clintonz prezidency….
Bill our Gold Clinton didn't want thiz bill….
IT WAZ
HIZ REPUBLICAN CONGREZZ THAT EFFEN THEM!!!
Re: melissamomof2 – You are 100% right on! The thing that matters in a job-any job is not if you are gay or straight but to be professional.
Homophobes really need to stop being busy-bodies!
Countries that ban gays the right to serve openly:
Cuba
China
Egypt
Greece (they make me laugh)
Iran
Jamaica
North Korea
Pakistan
Russia
Saudi Arabia
Serbia
Singapore
South Korea
Syria
Turkey[
Venezuela
Yemen
United States
Re: SheriMoonZombie – You're absolutely correct He'd be assigned to the Rear Platoon.
Does the NFL have don't ask don't tell? HMMMMM???
President Truman acted unilaterally (alone) to end racial segregation in the military. Why does Obama have to wait another year and let a lot of homophobes chime in and derail the process despite the vast majority of military and public who support ending DADT? (Latest poll shows 68% agree) Good thing Truman, or LBJ with the Voter Rights Act, wasn't so timid. When "W" had the reins he did what he wanted. Now the Dems have power and are too afraid to exercise it. The President is doing this to test the water and see whether there's a political price for doing what's right. LBJ risked his presidency because he knew what was right and did it. Kinda sad, isn't it?
well maybe if gays can't serve in the military without lying, than maybe gays shouldn't have to pay taxes either.
i bet the celeb's that Hilton spreads gossip about want him to 'don't ask, don't tell'
Re: Honk_If_You_Hate_Perez – LOL. Good one!
They should repeal but don't fool yourself I'm afraid its never gonna pass this is just another side show….
BBD is hittin' the road soon to promote Steak & Blowjob Day, March 14, I'll be cummin' to a town near you!
I am concerned about this law because I believe the "don't ask, don't tell" should apply to everybody. I don't care about anybody else's sexual preferences, nor do I feel the urge to announce mine. It's a personal thing & should be left at that. My ex was a Navy man & he would frequently tell me horrifying stories of what happened to gay men. He was on the Norton Sound aka The Love Boat. I believe it was on a trip to Panama when they beat a fellow sailor & trew him overboard just because he was gay. I'd hate to see good men get hurt or die because of this law.
The United States is the LAST Western country to let gays serve openly in its armed forces. And the sky didn't fall on any of them. What right do they have to dictate human rights to other countries when they don't practice it? Hypocrites!
Re: chrisjman – Why??? Because Obama doesn't support this, or any gay cause, that's why. The only reason he brought this up at all was to try to win back some gay votes. The only reason they're doing this "test" is to find out if this move will win him some public opinion back. That's pretty much the only reason Dems do anything, to follow public opinion.
A positive move.
.
Hey Sheri!
Hey BBD!
Hey Spindoc
.
Hey Buck…. Shut the Fuck Up!
McCain is a flip flop hypocrite.
I think they should let the members of the armed forces decide! THEY are the ones who have to live with it! Let them vote in a special election! Majority rules! Sorry, but those senators aren't in the military, so why should THEY decide?
no matter what, people are people. they screen you before you go in the military, its not as if all of a sudden these soldiers are gonna go, "were here were queer" and rip off their uniforms…thats just looney behaviour! i dont think its really going to affect anything, but its good that they realize we are now in the year 2010
So when you're in the military ( and I was ) and you live in the dorms, the showers are one big open room. We shower with 6 other guys. Should straight people be forced to shower with gay people? Can I shower with the women? If gay people promise not to hit on me, and I promise not to hit on the women, then whats the difference? Will they now build straight(male), straight(female), and gay dorms? What about basic training? If I am not screaming that I am straight, then why does anyone need to scream they are homo? I went in with a knee problem that had I told them it would have kept me out. I didn't and nobody ever knew. If they don't tell anyone then they can come in too. Everyone needs to get off their soapbox.
Re: melissamomof2 – you could not have said it better sister, lol you are awesome
My only concern with repealling dont ask dont tell is a safety concern. Will an openly gay or lesbian soldier be safe. will they be hazed or mistreated by their fellow soldiers and although i know it would be wrong women have been raped in the armed forces with little or nothing done to the rapist, will being openly gay in the military make you more of a target?
If you are not in the military or havent sevred you may not comment you have no clue! I know that military agrees with dont ask don't tell
It's so great that they're trying to repeal this. If someone wants to fight for American freedom and such they should be allowed to, especially when they realize they don't even get the full freedoms they deserve. Thanks for bringing the info forward Perez
Countries that disallow homosexuals from serving in the military:
Cuba
China
Egypt
Greece
Iran
Jamaica
North Korea
Pakistan
Russia
Saudi Arabia
Serbia
Singapore
South Korea
Syria
Turkey
Venezuela
Yemen
United States – Don't ask, don't tell
That's some great company the USA is with there… Good on Obama for this, it's about time.
Countries were gays can serve openly:
Australia (always legal)
Austria
Belgium
Bermuda
Brazil
Canada
Czech Republic
Denmark
Estonia
Finland
France
Germany
Ireland
Israel
Italy
Lithuania
Luxembourg
The Netherlands
New Zealand
Norway
Peru
Philippines (as of 2009)
Romania
Slovenia
South Africa
Spain
Sweden
Switzerland
United Kingdom
Uruguay
•73 percent of military personnel are comfortable with lesbians and gays (Zogby International, 2006).
•The younger generations, those who fight America's 21st century wars, largely don't care about whether someone is gay or not-and they do not link job performance with sexual orientation.
•One in four U.S. troops who served in Afghanistan or Iraq knows a member of their unit who is gay (Zogby, 2006).
=
No other law mandates firing someone because they are gay or lesbian.
Re: SWEETPIECE! – Hey SweetieP!
Re: Aussieone – 29 and 51 Thank you for putting this debate in global perspective.
Re: b a t k i s s – Your welcome
Re: Rascals – Thank you for your service.
I see the idea behind lifting this but its not as easy as everyone thinks. Its not like ok now gays can come in and thats it. There are issues they have to deal with. The military has plenty of gay folks in it and everyone knows they are gay but its an entirely different thing to have the government say we know that this person has the possibility of being attracted to you, now get naked. What are they going to do? spend millions on gay bathrooms and showers, wouldnt that still be segregation? People are morons.
Re: KelAud – I hate to say it but I see it the opposite. Lifting this law isnt going to make it suddenly ok to the homophobe soldiers its just going to make more obvious targets. More opportunities for people to get jumpy when they are forced to shower together and such. I worry that eliminating it will actually kill a lot of people.
Re: chrisjman – I respect the President for giving Congress an opportunity to act to end DADT. While the end does justify the means in this case, the means expressed by many is more powerful and shows greater leadership. In the event Congress does not move forward the President can, and will have to, exercise unilateral authority.
Re: areyoukiddingme –
*
Gays have always served in the the Australian Army Navy and Airforce with no problems!
*
Woman serve on Australian subs along side the men again with out drama.
*
Are you saying Americans troops are more stupid then Australian or all the other countries which have gays serving openly ?
Re: areyoukiddingme – Here's an idea: Self-identifying homophobes should be given a 'no questions asked' opportunity to leave the service. If they can't follow orders they should not be there.
Senator John McCain you should be ashamed of yourself!
It is okay to put one's life on the line for your country - but you can't be yourself with truth, pride & honour??
You who are against this new policy are on the wrong side of history & your grandchildren will be ashamed of you.
Honestly this is so tricky. I mean its not a matter of whether or not they can serve in the military. It's about protecting them. If we lived in a perfect world than yea throw it out this policy but the fact is we live in a society where homophobia is alive and well. I mean look at the story of Barry Winchell, its horrible. The only fair way to do this (which would never happen) is poll the homosexual population and see if they want it banned or not. I dont see why they would if its to protect them from hate crimes?
I would like to hear from all of the Vietnam era people who used being gay as a way NOT to serve. I guess it's ok when it suits your cause.
For those of you that posted the countries that do and dont allow, this list is very telling. A lot of the countries that do not allow it have very strong military forces. The list of those that do allow, I only see Israel as a serious military force. I would also like to know what the living arrangements are for the countries that allow it. I served my country, and I remember what basic was like as well as living in the dorms. A gay straight mix would not work in either situation. I do not agree that someone who has served their country without any problems should be kicked out for being gay, but I was in the USAF, and they kicked out people that were overweight all the time. The USAF is not the Army or Marines, we really didn't need to be that fit, just really smart. I was an Air Traffic Controller, and I knew 3 people that were very good at their job that were booted out for being like 20lbs overweight.
Re: b a t k i s s – Hi Batkiss! oxox This is a good thing.
Sometimes it's embarrassing to be American. The problem with "gays" in America is the knuckle-draggers' reaction to gays, not gay people themselves. Passing on so much talent, ability and creativity because of who someone loves is stupid and self-defeating. And why are we so obsessed with other people' sex lives? Mind your own business and do your job!
"In the almost seventeen years since the 'don't ask, don't tell' legislation was passed, attitudes and circumstances have changed," Colin Powell, the former chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff and former secretary of state said on Wednesday.
Im all for equal rights and I love my gay boyfriend but I'm also a military wife and trust me when I say if this ban is lifting nothing good is going to come of it, harrasment is going to go threw the roof and most of it will be false accusations because lets face it most military men and women dont support that life style and will try and get them discharged for other reasons plus I dont even want to think about what some of the truly backwards military personel will do to them. There saftey will be at risk and half of the military will not re enlist, you may say thats fine let the bigots get out who needs them well this country does and right now with everything going on I dont think we need to have a huge uproar in the military there focus will no longer be on keeping us safe but omg the guy shareing my barracks is a homo.
Re: Frag The Paps – Comparing now and then, were the draft to be reinstated I would expect being gay would not be a reason for being precluded from service.
=
Comparing the list of countries who do allow gay citizens to serve and those who do not, which list contains more countries with which America has serious issue with style of government? It almost sounds like you are suggesting because other countries "have very strong military forces" the US should not allow gay citizens to defend their country, thereby emulating Cuba, China, Iran, South Korea, Russia or Venezuela's military models.
"I fully support the new approach presented to the Senate Armed Services Committee this week by Secretary of Defense Gates and Admiral Mullen, Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff. I will be closely following future hearings, the views of the Service Chiefs and the implementation work being done by the Department of Defense," Powell said.
Honestly, it may sound great and it seems as though they are all really concerned with what effect this has on the gay community serving in the military but I think there's another reason……..at the start of the recent war a lot of people tried to get out of the military by doing one of three things: 1. do drugs and fail a drug test, 2. say you're gonna kill yourself or convince your command that you are not mentally stable enough to serve or 3."come out the closet". Having been in the military myself and witness to these actions, I have to ask, why change the policy now? While I feel that no one should have to hide who they are in order to serve their country, joining the military is a choice that not many are willing to make but I think this whole repeal is just a way to keep people in the military, but it's under the guise of overturning something that should not have been in place to begin with.
[re=4723846]Re: P
Re: cookereh – If you really didn't give a shit about if someone is gay or not you would join the president and head of the military in backing the fact that being gay is not something that should get you fired. I'm not sure people talk about being gay ,you might mention who you are dating just like straight guys talk about their wives or like most straight guys speak in disrespetful ways about the last woman you fcked . So yes it doesn't matter who you sleep with but if you muzzle gays then let's muzzle straights.
Re: La Garse – You really are a disgusting piece of work. Because gay soldiers are being kicked out the military even highly decorated ones when it comes to light that they are gay should be your business. You should want to live in a country that doesn't abuse people simply because they are gay. So I'm sure you belive men have 0 to say about abortion because they will never have a baby. How a country's people are treated should affect you,yes even a simpleton callous bitch like you.
Re: secretfluff – Actually ugly girl many in the military don't share your ugly bigotry and don't pretend to speak for them ,redneck.
Re: areyoukiddingme – Who cares if someone is uncomfotable with their bigotries ,bigots will have to adjust.
Re: areyoukiddingme – Well the law would not give the homophobes side a pass and all this" so the gays better shut the fuck up or we will kill them"line from fellow soldiers has to be th most disgusting thing to say or repeat. How much of a pig are you?
wow; I can't believe it's going to take 11 months to decide whether the stupid policy should be REPEALED . Millions are actually going to be wasted on bureaucratic bullshitting to decide if questioning the abolishment of hate.. soo incredibly obvious … it’s not like there’s a recession going on or anything.
It will end up costing a fortune, I would not want to shower or sleep in the same room as guy, so why would I want to with lesbians? Ditto for guys. I am sure most guys wold be very uncomfortable showering with guys who might be checking them out.
The biggest problem was that this became law in the first place!
All I can say is Thank God McCain didn't become president!
What an old douche he is! The rest homes will be fighting over him,soon! (nobody will want him!)
Re: cookereh – See,the thing is nobody has to say they're gay in the military. all that has to happen is some asshole finds out and runs to whoever is in command and that poor person gets kicked out!
We don't come out to flaunt it to all you bigots,we come out to share our lives and who we love with our family and friends,just like everybody else does.
I can't believe the ignorance that some people spew! This is 2010,not 1910,for God sake! There are changes all the time,in life. Get with the fucking program!
Re: diajamb – The majority rules statement is total bullshit!
The majority should NEVER be able to decide on the lives of any minority!
How the hell would YOU feel if I decided you couldn't be with the person that YOU loved? Not a nice picture,is it!
I believe everyone should have a right to join the military and not have to lie about pretty much who you are. I am mostly Republican as well.
The one thing they need to change is, the privacy they military people don't have through basic and many barracks whether this goes through or not…
I just feel that if they are going to allow this, everyone should have much more privacy. My husband is in the army and in basic, not sure if all bases are like this, but all men had to shower together, and all women have to shower with all women… The military needs to spend some money to make separate showering stalls. Like they do in dorms at colleges.
To me, I wouldn't be comfortable showering with a man… and its the same thing if you are showering with a lesbian. Yes there are probably a lot of gays and lesbians in the military, but it's not really fair for people to have forced to shower with people who are sexually attracted to that gender, ya know?
I think this is a good cause, just for the fact if someone is willing to risk their lives for us, they should be able to be honest with who they are and not be punished for it.
Homosexuals are human beings and feelings like any other heterosexual and if I joined and I was a lesbian or bi-sexual, it would be very hurtful to have to lie to people about who I really am. I feel bad for them
What's hurtful, is people are bashing Mccain… Okay so he is a republican and has very different thoughts on this than a lot of people… but bashing him because he doesnt believe in gay rights, only makes gays look worse to society. I'm not very fond of Obama, haven't been and I have my own reasons for that. I dont agree with a lot of what Mccain says either. All president canidates seem to be crooks anymore, anyways.
But what I'm trying to say is, if you want rights and you want respect and want to be more part of society… running your mouth like an ignorant fool, pushes people to be more against things like this.
Be mature about stuff, acting like a child when you're probably older than myself, gets you no where. Respect people, respect.
As long as gay men don't serve infantry im all for it
Re: Honk_If_You_Hate_Perez – LOL! That really made me laugh.
Re: yippee_ki_yay – Omg so fcking funny,are you 6 years old. Yawn
Re: SWEETPIECE! –
hey sweetz♥♥
xoxoxoxoxoxox
govt.
leave
the gay peepz do
wtzfzf ever they want….
maybe we ought
2/apply the don't azk…tell
thing
to the govt. employeez…
zo many feet tapperz..unreall!!
difference iz tapperz r married
w/children..zo don't trazh uz….
I'm all for this policy being lifted but at the same time I can't help but think about how this could backfire. There are a lot of people who are against gays being in the military that are themselves enlisted. This could cause hate crimes within the military and could potentially lower the moral of the troops. As I said, I'm all for it but I'm anxious to see how this 11 month review goes over.
I'm just wondering what sexual orientation has to do with serving in the military… Straight men and women in the military don't feel the need to let people know that they're straight and proud. It is ok of course to be who are you and love whomever you love, but I think the place and time to parade your sexual preference. You are there to do a job and to serve the people of our country not to find a date for when you get out of bootcamp. I think the don't ask don't tell policy is more to prevent turmoil in the military so focus isn't redirected to the wrong areas… it's a touchy subject but I see arguments for both sides..
Re: DanelleMyBell – It's not about parading. It's about being able to live with or be seen with your significant other without the fear of losing your job. Also, the ability to marry them (in states where its legal) and even provide benefits. No one wants to throw parties or anything, they just don't want to sneak around in fear either.
Re: DanelleMyBell – What proof do you have for the following assertion? "Straight men and women in the military don't feel the need to let people know that they're straight and proud."
=
Everytime a male soldier hooks up with a female soldier, they are both asserting they are straight. You better believe everytime that recently laid male soldier brags about his sexual conquest to his platoon, he is asserting he is straight. Everytime a soldier speaks about how hot his girl at home is, he is defining his sexuality. By the way, everytime a married soldier get to live with his wife in separate housing, the sexuality of the couple is in evidence. I would also suggest everytime a homophobe soldier verbally or physically acts against a gay soldier, the homophobe is asserting he is straight…but suffers from a massive absence of military pride.
Re: DanelleMyBell – Really straight men and women dont' tell other soldiers who they are dating or married to? Where do you get this fucking bs from scumbag? The fact remains that most gay people never talked about being gay in the military while most hetros talk about being straight all the time like having pics of wives out or talking about loving someone ,thats the context it's in moron. If someone asks you who you are dating you can either lie or say ,if you are a gay man ,that you are dating a man. That.s it its not about parading your sexuality you redneck piece of shit.
As long as no one is sexually harassing anyone…everybody should be allowed to serve…