Now that states are slowly beginning to legalize gay marriage one can only begin to question how institutions like the military, church and their constituents will react.
Will these beloved and celebrated institutions finally begin recognizing the rights of homosexuals?
With Tuesday’s repeal of the military’s ”Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell” policy, gays and lesbians are now free to serve openly in the U.S. armed services.
Since it’s inception and rejection and repeal, the U.S. military has spent time preparing for the repeal, updating regulations and training to reflect the approaching change.
According to reports, the Pentagon has already begun accepting applications from openly gay men and women.
Besides the constant blows against equal rights for homosexuals, everyone wants to know who’s gay, why and who he or she is doing.
Homosexuality and sexuality are such taboo topics; but somehow we find ourselves in positions where we’re debating the rights of our fellow man. Sounds very familiar…
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Let’s get this out of the way now: I have no problem with anyone who decides to go out and fight for our “freedoms” and protect us from the big bad Islamic monsters.
I know I am not interested in joining and suiting up. I hate checking that box when applying for financial aid, so I commend any and everyone who decides to make that decision with his or her life.
Trust me, in the thick of battle the enemy does not care about sexual orientation. They’ve come to kill, divide and conquer.
Since it’s adoption by President Clinton back in September 1993, the act has been responsible for the removal of more than 14,000 gay and lesbian military officers.
The policy prohibits people who demonstrate a propensity or intent to engage in homosexual acts from serving in the armed forces of the United States.
According to the policy, it was enforced because the presence of homosexuals would create an unacceptable risk to the high standards of morale, good order and discipline, and unit cohesion that are the essence of military capability. Whatever all that means.
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Sources reported from the Government Accountability Office spent at least $95.4 million in recruiting costs and at least $95.1 million for training replacements for the 9,488 troops discharged from 1994 through 2003, while noting that the true figures might be higher.
Trying to enforce a rule spending this much money is definitely a waste. If supporters for the policy can’t see it with the numbers then I can’t see it for them either.
Homosexuality is not a disorder that enables people from functioning in society- in this case armed forces. Someone who is comfortable with his or her sexuality should not be discriminated.
Being gay carries a strong negative connation in our culture. Men are taught at a very young age that you have to be a man; you have to be masculine. Don’t cry. Don’t speak with your hands. No milk and cookies.
Coming out is something many homosexuals, especially those who are African American, deem as a strong quality; even by those stuck in the closet.
Being comfortable enough with your sexuality to expose your sexual preference is something homosexuals are challenged with.
With every issue I write about sexuality, I can only hope this opens up the discussion about homosexuality and equal rights for everyone.
Now that “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell” has been repealed, I hope the services revisit their mission and also focus on ways openly gay and heterosexuals can serve together productively.
Maybe one-day homosexuality won’t be viewed as a defunct social behavior or plague against the red, white and blue. The separation must be present.
