The Pentagon just released its study of repealing Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell, a day early with an eye toward the Senate voting on it during the lame-duck session. Headline numbers: 70 percent of troops believe the effect of repealing DADT would be either positive, mixed, or none. The big opposition remains in the Marines, where 67 percent of those surveyed in combat units say the presence of openly gay troops would have a negative impact in the field and at sea.
So the Report of the Comprehensive Review of the Issues Associated with a Repeal of “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell” has been released. To know one’s surprise, repealing Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell is a non-event for most of our uniformed personnel. Well, except for the Marines, that is….
It shouldn’t come as a surprise that the majority of our men and women in uniform are professional and thoughtful enough to recognize that one’s sexuality should render one unfit to serve. Most in the military know gay colleagues, and if they think they don’t, the undoubtedly serve next to those who are deeply in the closet. It was the same when I was an Army Reserve officer. Our military reflects American society, and homosexuals are part of that society. In the same way that few of us define ourselves first and foremost as heterosexual, most homosexuals do not define themselves primarily by their sexual orientation. Most simply want the same thing that “straight” Americans want…and in this sense they simply want the same opportunity to serve the country they love.
Think about it for just a moment. These are people willing to put themselves in harm’s way to protect the country they love…and there are those among us willing to refuse them because of who they happen to love? There are those among us willing to treat Americans as second-class citizens unworthy of wearing a uniform because of their lifestyle? What is it about homosexuality that implies that an individual cannot conduct themselves with the same degree of competence and professionalism as heterosexuals?
Oh, and about that “what about the showers?” argument….
“Concerns about showers and bathrooms are based on a stereotype—that gay men and lesbians will behave in an inappropriate or predatory manner in these situations. As one gay former Service member told us, to fit in, co-exist, and conform to social norms, gay men have learned to avoid making heterosexuals feel uncomfortable or threatened in situation such as this. The reality is that people of different sexual orientation use shower and bathroom facilities together every day in hundreds of thousands of college dorms, college and high school gyms, professional sports locker rooms, police and fire stations, and athletic clubs.”
Any other specious arguments you care to toss into the public debate, Sen. McCain? Or are you too busy trying to move the goalposts again??
If any American institution is able to adapt and change as necessary, it’s our military. They can do this, they will do this if ordered, and their professionalism and commitment to protecting us will remain unchanged.
NOW can we do the right thing??
