So, a few weeks ago, I was watching some random international news channel, when the object of "Don't ask, don't tell" came up. The news spot focused on how the United States Military has the policy of anyone of the LGBT community keeping it themselves. This didn't work as planned, because those thought to be homosexual were often discharged, or even worse, like in Barry Winchell's case, killed because of their sexual orientation.
Well,recently, the government has brought up the Military Readiness Enhancement Act in 2009, and it's stirring all sorts of controversy. It basically states that the "Don't ask, don't tell" policy should be abandoned, and it should be a policy to disclose one's sexual orientation.
I have mixed feelings about this whole situation in general. First and foremost, why does it matter if your openly gay and fighting for your country? It should make absolutely no difference, and I find it interesting that the people who have never even volunteered to defend their country often have the most to say about "Don't ask, don't tell". Secondly, what about those who lost their job due to their their sexuality being out in the open? Are they able to get reinstated? Do they even want to go back? I couldn't imagine how humiliating that would be. It was heartbreaking to watch this news scene and see an honorable man break-down because he was stripped of his title due to the fact that he had a male significant other.
Although the Military Readiness Enhancement Act is still in the works, I think it's a definite step in the right direction. My only concern will be the backlash from those serving (or who have served), because I know there are still those who are extremely homophobic and intolerant of the LGBT community. I hope there will be some way to educate them in the importance in each individual who chooses to join the military, no matter their background.
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I think you made a lot of really interesting points in your blog. I always thought that the “”don’t ask, don’t tell” policy was always sort of odd. I don’t understand either why it should even matter if your fighting for your country. If we are supposed to be a melting pot country, diverse, and open to everyone, then “don’t ask, don’t tell” is not a very good representation of this. I can’t imagine being fired from a job because of my sexuality if I was lesbian and I think it’s also sad how homophobic many people still are. Hopefully in the future there can be a happy medium.
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