Our country is striving for diversity and acceptance in all realms of society, but it seems that this election season has brought out many different social concerns that are on the minds of many Americans.
On October 12th, a US Federal judge ordered the US Military to stop the enforcement of the “Don’t Ask Don’t Tell” policy that prohibits service members from being asked of their sexual orientation, while it also prevents gay and lesbian members from serving openly. It is a shame that the only employer in our country that does not protect its members from this type of discrimination is the same employer that’s purpose is to protect the freedom of our country. In this day and age, we should be able to accept and fully protect all people from discrimination.
The “Don’t Ask Don’t Tell” policy was sparked by an incident on October 27, 1992 aboard a US Naval ship where Petty Officer Schnider was brutally murdered by some of his shipmates. He was attacked solely due to the fact that he was a gay man. Instead of addressing on the fact that a service member was targeted out of hate, the military focused much of their efforts on preventing such a heinous crime by eliminating potential victims.
Former President Bill Clinton signed the “Don’t Ask Don’t Tell” ban into law in 1993. While the actual ban states, “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell, Don’t Harass, Don’t Pursue”, the main intent is to prevent the men and women of our armed forces from being able to live their lives freely while protecting our lives and our freedoms.
Unfortunately after the Federal judge in California ordered the US Military to enforcement of the ban, President Obama and the Justice Department appealed the ruling, and is “asking” for more time to come up with a plan.
President Obama has made it clear that he does intend on repealing the DADT ban on the military, but as of yet, he or his administration has done nothing. He continues to make claims that he will repeal the ban, and that progress has been made, but gay, lesbian, and bisexual men and women still may not serve openly in our military. The fact that we are fighting in two wars in two countries makes it more of an important issue. Why continue to put off something so instrumental in the freedom of our people.
He claims that he wants to wait until there is a plan that will last before any changes are made. I want to know what kind of a “plan” would make a difference other than repealing the ban. Does he plan to do it phases where only certain services members with certain jobs are allowed to come-out and serve openly. I don’t understand why a plan is necessary in order to give people the right to live as themselves. I can’t believe that we would still subject those brave individuals who are hiding who they truly are and dying to protect a country that forces them to do so!
What is the true hold up in changing this policy? In a recent interview, Former VP Dick Cheney made an appearance stating that he believes that a change will happen, and he also believes that society has made progress where this would be a good thing. Now, if Dick Cheney is aboard, why is it taking so long?
I think this is another issue where President Obama had a chance to make a significant change for the better of our country, and he faltered in fear of the repercussions by those who oppose. I think it’s time for him and his administration to finally make a clear stance and follow through with some type of action!
UCD on Election 2010 
ebailey
October 18, 2010
I thought this post was really well done! Well written, interesting topic & great photos, videos, and links.
dbrigh4m
October 19, 2010
It seems like Cheney’s stance on this issue is predicated on the fact that is daughter is a lesbian. It just shows that proximity increases people’s tolerance. Though I thought that this particular video was a rather weak showing on Cheney’s part in support of gay rights. He basically repeats the same arguments that we have heard over and over from GOP candidates that it is up to the military to make the determination as to whether this is good policy or not. I would think that there are videos out there that depict Cheney taking a stronger stance on this issue…
targos
October 20, 2010
Why does our government seem to be so homophobic? Is it because of it’s more conservative nature? As a gay man I can say that I am not attracted to every male I see or come into contact with. I remember learning about the DADT in elementary school under the control of Chicago Public School System. I scared me to death to fight in combat, one of the first comforting thoughts was that I’m gay. I can’t go into the armed forced unless I was completely closeted.
Furthermore, you are exactly right that American is a country founded on protecting our rights and freedoms. If we can’t trust or believe in our own system on government then what’s the point? Simply a idealistic feeling of voting? Change can be made I believe that it simply needs to made with a majority or a very powerful minority of citizens . Not only those who identify as LGBT, but their friends, families and supporters as well.
Spoken in the last video is a cal for consistency. If the consistency in policy is broken there may be no way of turning back. If we are already allowing homosexuals fight why not open the gate to those who really want to engage themselves in military or armed forces. The feeling that the law will be repealed with the next few years is significant. With this freedom the government opens another another door or sets a precedent for gay and lesbian rights. Maybe we’ll begin see marriage laws opening up in more states.
Great blog, thanks for sharing.
Tony Robinson
October 24, 2010
Very good post! This is a very carefully written post, with lots of good factual and historical information. I found the cartoon about the military discharge very tragi-comic. Your concern over this strange military policy is well-expressed, though it would have been also nice to see a bit of detail about how this issue is affecting the elections, if at all.