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Well, I for one am ready, as are many soldiers who have been repressed for quite some time.
The Military Personnel Eligibility Act of 1993, more widely known as “don’t ask, don’t tell,” is under scrutiny by our commander-in-chief as well as many high-ranking military officers.
I believe it is deservedly so. This policy does not deny homosexuals and bisexuals the right to serve, but it is intended to prevent them from serving openly. Consequently, it prompts the removal of anyone speaking of gay lives back home as quickly as people caught in the act.
The amendment to the former ban on gays in the military and the current debate drip with bigotry and fear. Originally President Bill Clinton was aiming at completely removing the ban, but when met with extreme disapproval from his constituency, a compromise was made and thus the current policy.
In the debate at hand, many right-wing talking heads bring up the notion of showering together, sharing bunks and foxholes. Do they not share those situations with homosexuals as the law stands?
Just because they don’t know that their fellow soldiers are gay doesn’t mean they are not. Is the “bliss” of ignorance justified? A soldier I had a chance to talk to – who must remain anonymous – says no. “Well, there are myself and probably six or seven others that I know of that the DADT policy applied to,” he said. “I think it’s absurd that any of us should have to act any differently than who we are.
“My contract is up next month with honorable discharge. I’ve done everything expected of me, and my orientation had absolutely no impact on any of it. I wasn’t silent about it. Lots of people in my unit knew about me. It’s more acceptable to soldiers than people might choose to believe. In my opinion, all of us had the right to defend what we believe in, and our freedoms, just the same as anyone else.
“This policy is a gross violation of the freedoms our country claims to have. Anyone who says otherwise disrespects me, several others that I’ve served with and the job we performed.”
This belief stands true with many of our armed forces, including the more than 12,500 service members, according to the Service Members Legal Defense Network, who have been discharged since the enactment of the policy in 1994.
Outrage by heterosexual enlisted men and officers has been voiced as well. One officer, Lt. Gen. Benjamin Mixon, spoke out, saying, “The central question that has to be asked is if homosexual activity is in accordance with those values of not only the military but those of America.”
In my opinion, it is. Anyone can be gay and still do an outstanding job. Many high-powered officials are gay, all the way down to electricians and even further still, to the teens who bag your groceries. The implication that homosexuals do not possess morals stands as proof that they not only are looked down upon and are denied fair treatment, but they unmistakably are oppressed. Something has to be done.
No matter what I believe, it comes down to whether the armed forces want the policy repealed or if current closeted members in the service want to be ousted. Secretary of Defense Robert Gates said in a press conference recently that the opinions of the men and women of our military are of the highest concern. A high-level working group has been formed to determine how the repeal of DADT will affect our troops. The first priority is the frontline, getting their objective ideas and thoughts before they can be contaminated by partisan ideals back home.
Another mainstay in the political debate is that heterosexuals shouldn’t be forced to be around transvestites and sexual misconduct. Sexual harassment and sex between soldiers was an affair handled when women first began to serve, and the basics most likely will stay the same.
One man I happen to agree heartily with is former Gen. Wesley Clark. He reminds us that many other militaries, including those of Israel and the UK, allow gays to serve and have had no real problems.
“Other nations have looked at this and they have said, ‘It isn’t don’t ask, don’t tell, it’s don’t misbehave,’” Clark said.
This is not the country or world of times gone by. We have evolved both intellectually and socially. It is time that our hypocrisy is laid to rest. If somebody is willing to risk their life for you, don’t you think you should take all the help you can get?
Joshua Lanpher is a Ranger reporter and page 4 news editor. He can be reached at jlanpher21@my.actx.edu.
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