The “don’t ask, don’t tell” policy has been around since 1993. This policy allows gays and lesbians to serve in the armed forces as long as they abstain from homosexual activity and do not disclose their sexual orientation. Is this really fair? Why should the people risking their lives for our country have to abstain from revealing their sexual preference?
As someone who serves in the armed forces, I believe that this policy does nothing for morale. The military is constantly emphasizing the “morale” of the troops and the welfare of others, so how does this fit in? The answer is: it doesn’t. It forces gays to hide who they truly are while lowering their self esteem–they are led to believe that they are not as good as the “straight” troops who are serving.
President Bush and Peter Pace, the chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, have both claimed that homosexual acts are immoral, and that we as a nation “should not condone such immoral acts.” That is quite offensive to the gays who are currently serving in the military. Why are they good enough to fight in the war, but not good enough to do so when they admit they’re gay?
Is the issue of morality really relevant in the military? Although President Bush and Peter Pace believe it is, their beliefs really don’t matter. Honestly, who said that homosexuality was immoral? It is not illegal to be gay; however, many religions claim that it is wrong. Therefore, enforcing this act is a breach to the separation of church and state. The church has no place in the military–while many people possess their own personal opinions about the morality of homosexuality, it is not their right to use the church as an excuse to renounce homosexuals.
Ironically, many of the people opposed to the “don’t ask, don’t tell” policy are older. They are straight-arrow men who were brought up one way and are not willing to change their views. Many of the younger military members have no problem serving alongside homosexuals. So isn’t it time that they take a stand and amend this policy?
In addition, the “don’t ask, don’t tell” policy is a violation of constitutional rights. What happened to the right of free speech? Prohibiting people from disclosing their sexual preference (when they want to voice it) is a violation of rights. Enforcing this policy impedes their free speech–they are chastised for speaking out.
Amusingly, the troops overseas are fighting for our freedom, yet they are deprived of their own. They are not free to disclose their sexual preference, but they are allowed to fight for the freedom of those who are snubbing them. We should actually have a high regard for the homosexuals serving our country–they continue to serve even while all the jackasses condemn them.
This policy was initially set up to make heterosexual people feel comfortable while serving in the military. However, in May 2005, the Boston Globe showed that 79 percent of military personnel had nothing against openly gay people serving in the military. So we are depriving people of their rights because 21 percent of the public feels “uncomfortable” around homosexuals? This is the 21st century–shouldn’t we have accepted all types of sexuality by now?
Not allowing homosexuals to serve in the armed forces is discrimination. If you applied for a civilian job, it would be against the law for an employer to deny you because of your sexuality. So why should it be any different for those in the military? They cause no harm–they are serving for the same reason as every other person. They want freedom and equality, but are denied it because of their sexual preference.
When the armed forces first came about, women and blacks were not allowed to serve. Eventually, people’s views changed and women were allowed to join while blacks were given their own “units.” Obviously, equality ultimately came about and everyone fought side by side. However, inequality has made a comeback. The “don’t ask, don’t tell” policy takes the form of prejudice that should no longer exist. Instead of creating a united military, it generates a biased environment.