This week in Washington, the House Armed Services Personnel subcommittee met to discuss and debate the relevance of the “Don’t Ask Don’t Tell” policy in the military. It was the first time the policy as been discussed in nearly fifteen years. There were several people there to speak on both sides of the debate, including gay veterans, and perhaps most notable (not in a good way) Elaine Donnelly, a proponent for continuing the policy in the military.
I oppose the policy. I think it’s ridiculous- and agree with retired Marine Sgt. Eric Alva when he said “he nearly died to secure right for others that [he himself] was not free to enjoy.” Others who disagree with this policy feel the same way- that mainly, sexual orientation shouldn’t, and doesn’t affect the ability to serve one’s country.
Donnelly and her supporters have a long list of reasons why the Don’t Ask Don’t Tell policy should be upheld. All of her reasons are unfounded, discriminatory and insulting. She believes that forced intimacy, unwanted advances, exotic sexual practices, and that allowing gays to serve openly in the military would be “devastating due to the increased sexual atmosphere.” One person who spoke in Donnelly’s defense suggested that soldiers often have to huddle together for safety or warmth, and that doing so with openly gay soldiers would make for an uncomfortable situation.
Does anyone else find similarities with this and the segregation that occurred in the 60s? Those that choose to serve and protect our country should not fear for their well-being and livelihood due to a lifestyle choice that has no effect on their career. Allegations such as the above suggest paint gay men and women in the military as rabidly sexualized human beings. The idea that a gay man would hit on another man just because he happens to be at the same place at the same time is antiquated. Picture it this way. Do heterosexual men hit on every woman in the military, just out of convenience? No. Let’s please give those in the gay community more respect than this. And as for “forcible intimacy?” I see no difference in the risk factors of forced intimacy between gay soldiers than what already exists among heterosexual soldiers.
We should give those that give their lives for our country the utmost respect. It’s offensive that our country leaders still support a policy that alienates so many. The fact that the policy is being called into question for its relevancy is reassuring- its time the military moves into the the 21st century and supports ALL of those who in turn support us.
DC Maven 