The Don’t Ask Don’t tell act which prevented openly gay and lesbians from serving in the United States Armed forces was placed into law on December 21st, 1993. It states that the military cannot discriminate against any gay, lesbian or bisexual person as long as they are discreet about their sexuality. They believed that any persons showing or acting in homosexual behavior would go against strict military moral codes and policy. However on September 20th, 2011 the Don’t ask Don’t Tell was repealed because the government felt it was discriminatory against homosexuals.
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I agree that openly gay and lesbians should able to serve in the military because nobody should have to hide who they are in order to serve and defend our country. In this paper I will first give a brief explanation and history on The Don’t ask Don’t Tell policy. I will then say why the policy should be repealed and how it may be beneficial to the military. Then I will state the opposing views of the repeal of the policy, and lastly I will conclude with my final thoughts and restate why I agree with the repeal of this policy
Brief Explanation of Don’t Ask Don’t tell Policy The don’t ask don’t tell policy which was enacted in 1993 was created so military personal could not discriminate against any gay or lesbian being as long as they were discreet about their sexual orientation. The military felt that being openly gay or lesbian while enlisted would cause too much controversy and go against moral codes. If gay or lesbian person disclosed their sexual orientation with anyone they would be fired or discharged.
In the 1950’s President Truman signed the Uniform code of Military Justice, which states that all homosexuals are to be discharged from serving in the military and are not, allowed to enlist in the military. In 1992, over forty years later President Bill Clinton promised to lift the ban on homosexuals in the military. It was the first thing he tackled as President, which caused a lot of controversy in the white house. There was an immediate attempt for repeal but it failed.
In 1993 Don’t ask Don’t Tell which was ormerly known Personnel Eligibility Act of 1993 was signed into law. Even though the pentagon agreed to allow the law, it still did not stop investigating whether those serving in the military were gay. If any member was found and proven to be a homosexual they were discharged. The years following the laws passing 12,000 men were discharged from the military. Since then there have been countless attempts too repeal this law and it finally came forth in 2010 by President Obama. Those for Repeal of Don’t Ask Don’t Tell
As I stated earlier, I believe that openly gay and lesbians should able to serve in the military because nobody should have to hide who they are in order to serve and defend our country. If any person fits the criteria to serve in the military they should be able to. Today 25 countries allow gays to openly serve in the military been no complaints of harassment, discord, blackmail or bullying, nor any erosion of unit cohesion or military effectiveness. Some examples of countries that allow openly gay persons to serve in there military include Russia, Israel and the United States closest neighbor Canada.
In fact one of Israel’s most viewed army magazines Bamahane, showcased two men hugging each other on a 2009 cover. These countries do not only accept gays into there army they also embrace them. I am not saying we have to have a gay army couple on the cover of every army but just give them the same chances as everyone else. They are people just like any one else and their only difference is their sexual orientation. This country is filled with different people and there are many different types of people currently enlisted in the military. No one person is the same as the other.
If that were the case there would be no need for the military because everyone would have the same views and thoughts on everything. It is the differences of people that make what our country is today. The goal of founding fathers was to unite our difference all as one so we would be able to function better as a country. They wanted equality for all. For a long time the government and the citizens of America struggled with the division created by this policy. President Obama wanted to fix this and repealing the policy was one of the first things he tackled.
This is in fact why President Obama decided to end the Don’t Ask Don’t Tell Policy in 2010 according to article on CNN’s website entitled Obama signs repeal of ‘don’t ask, don’t tell’ policy. They quote him stating more than two centuries in the making,” the president said. Over the course of U. S. history, “gay Americans fought just as hard (and) gave just as much to protect” the country as anyone else. “We are a nation that believes all men and women are created equal. ” He to believes that any gay person is just as capable as any straight person.
By denying that right we are taking away their equality and saying they are not good enough to fight and defend our country. Now that the policy has been repealed gays finally have the same rights as us and hopefully they can be better accepted into our society. Of course there are still some people who do not believe that Don’t ask Don’t tell should not have been repealed. Arguments against the repeal of Don’t Ask Don’t Tell Some believe that the repeal of don’t ask don’t tell will create a division between the men and woman serving in the armed forces.
When fighting in war their needs to be one strong unit within those fighting in war so that things will get done efficiently. Most heterosexual people look down upon homosexuals because they feel they are not normal. When that unity is broken it becomes harder for soldiers to focus on their main goal, which is winning the war. Instead they are to focus more on avoiding and/or ridiculing associating with their gay or lesbian counterparts. Allowing gays to serve openly in war creates individuality. When fighting in the army it should not matter who you are because everyone is there to fight as soldiers.
A lot of people feel there is no need to be open about your sexuality because of this. Others feel that while in battle there are many uncomfortable situations were many straight soldiers will feel uncomfortable with gay soldiers. After all they will be living in extremely close quarters. Whatever the case may be these are just minor rules that one should not even consider when in battle. They don’t ask don’t tell policy does not benefit anyone and creates an unconstitutional violation against gay rights.
According to Judge Virginia Phillips the policy violates first and Fifth Amendment rights of gays of lesbians. Gay and Lesbian service members who serve are always being harassed and fear for their safety even in their homes off base. If we continue to violate gays of their rights they will rebel and that will not be good for our country. Instead of worrying about war outside of the country we will be faced with controversy within our nation as well. Gays and lesbians just want to serve for their country and they should have that right to.
No one should have to worry about being discharged from the military just because of personal decisions that they make for themselves as long as those decisions do not affect the military itself. Conclusion In this paper I explained and summarized the Don’t Ask Don’t Tell Policy and why it should have been repealed. I also explained that I agree that the policy should have been repealed because I believe that openly gay and lesbians should able to serve in the military because nobody should have to hide who they are in order to serve and defend our country. From there I stated the views of those who disagree with the laws repeal.
Lastly I countered their arguments with facts and logical reasoning as to why the law should have and was repealed. It takes a lot to join the army and no bad person is allowed to enlist. Anyone who is willing and able to serve and fight for our country should be able to no matter what his or her sexual preference is. It takes a lot of courage to risk your life for the benefit of others. That person whether gay or straight should be praised upon his or her bravery and strength to serve our people and should not be judged on what he or she does in their own private life.
