Gay and Lesbian rights in the U.S. military have been an ongoing dispute since Bill Clinton issued the "Don't Ask Don't Tell" policy in 1993. This policy was used to closet gay and lesbian soldiers hoping not to bring any interferences while serving our country. In this day and age, we are seeing the nuclear family evolve to more than just male and female couples. As Americans, we all share the same rights to freedom of speech. So why would the military knowing your sexual orientation even matter?
Gays and lesbians were born with the same rights as heterosexuals, and should have the same rights to express their sexuality. The military is asking for them not to bring their personal lives to work. But what about heterosexuals? You do not and will never see a headline on the news for a straight man or woman being discharged for talking about their sexual orientation. This is America. Everyone is considered equal. Because someone defines their sexuality as gay or straight, does not prove them any less of a soldier than the man standing next to him. Nevertheless, with the change in how the standard American should live their lives, President Obama was willing to change this discrimination.
In late 2010, President Obama revoked the "Don't Ask Don't Tell" policy. He states proudly, "I say to all Americans, gay or straight, who want nothing more than to defend this country in uniform, your country needs you, your country wants you, and we will be honored to welcome you into the ranks of the finest military the world has ever known." Statistics show from the CBS News and New York Times that with the "Don't Ask Don't Tell" repeal 58% of Americans now favor gays having the right to serve in the military and be open about their sexuality.
Being gay does not mean that one can not perform the same job as a straight person; it is not a disability. It simply means they are attracted to the same sex. Everyone is entitled to their own opinion, but there is still need for respect among gays and straights. All who enlist in the military have the same thought of fighting for our country. And if a soldier happens to die while doing so, whether he or she were gay or straight will not matter, but that they died with honor serving the U.S.A.
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Of the 58% of Americans that approve of this, how many are currently soldiers or veterans? All Americans should have rights, but gays/lesbians should not serve all of the same roles in the military. I do not believe infantrymen should be gay. Yes, they can fight just as hard and die just as easily as a straight person, but their knowingly being gay could affect other soldiers decisions in battle. Soldiers do not have the privacy that we, as civilians, have. In basic training they share a shower together with no curtain or privacy. It is the same with their toilets. Can you see how this can be disturbing and counterproductive for some people?
ReplyDeleteI personally don't think there is anything wrong with gay or lesbian soldiers. That is a good point but people need to treat people like equals. Some people are disturbed by the whole shower thing but some people are not. That alone doesn't make it okay to keep them from fighting for our freedom. I believe there are more people who don't have a problem with it than there are people who care and that should not be the deciding factor. All men are created equal and I believe if someone has a problem with gay or lesbians in the army then they should be the ones leaving.
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