Hello out there! Welcome to March 7th post in Group 5's Blog>>> This week we are looking at the subject of GLBT in the Military I thought this would be an educational topic since Obama's decision to try to repeal the "dont ask dont tell policy" My question is what policy? Technically they are not allowed still in the military, but insted are asked just not to say anything about their private life. Is this still discrimination or protection?
Some facts to think about as you read some of the articals we found discussing this topic:
Gay's were ban from military service in the 1916 Articals of War, technically they were not enforced untill WW2 when the military actually looked for so called signs of Homosexuality. These included screanings for feminine dress, manerisms, lanquage, and also went so far as to check for physical signs through physical examinations and anyone found or even had a tendency was excluded from the military. And to day we have a don't ask don't tell policy, how is that any better some 65 years later...
Excellent articles Laine. "Buggery" - that's a new term to me! I think that President O'Bama definitely has the right idea and wants to do the right thing but I agree that it will take some time and "an act of Congress" besides unfortunately it will have to be turned inside out before it has a chance to be passed. I am hopeful though that this time it will pass.
ReplyDeleteIt is intriguing to read about the history of how they decided who was gay and who was not. I wonder if many people who were not gay were dismissed because they somehow appeared to be. Also, I do not even want to know how they decided if one's rectum was too large or not! My goodness we have done some crazy things in our past. Thank you for sharing the very informative post.
I am very surprised that "don't ask don't tell" is still in affect for the milirary. I thought we have come further than that in the United States. I think that since we don't discriminate against blacks in the military, there is no reason to segregate gay men or women from the military. It doesn't makes sense to me.
ReplyDeleteHi guys... I was reading through your blog and found it interesting. As to the recent controversy over "don't ask don't tell" - did anyone else see that the commanding General of central command (Iraq - middle east) came out strongly in favor of repealing "Don't ask don't tell"?
ReplyDeleteI thought you'd like an article on it.
ReplyDelete"Petraeus indicates support for overturning Don't Ask
Gen. David Petraeus, head of Central Command and perhaps the country's leading general, indicated on Sunday that he doesn't believe soldiers care if they serve with gays and lesbians.
"I'm not sure that they do," Petraeus said told moderator David Gregory on NBC's "Meet the Press."
The general was cautious, though, about saying outright that he was in favor of ending the military's "Don't Ask, Don' Tell" policy. But said that he did back the process that the Obama administration, led by Defense Secretary Robert Gates and Joint Chiefs Chairman Adm. Mike Mullen, has undertaken to do that.
"I support what our secretary and chairman have embarked on here," Petraeus said.
In recalling his own service with gays and lesbians, the general suggested that their sexual orientation mattered little to the mission.
"Frankly," the general said, "over time we said, 'Hey how is this guy's shooting, or how is her analysis, or what have you?'""
http://www.politico.com/blogs/politicolive/0210/Petraeus_indicates_support_for_overturning_Dont_Ask.html
Thanks Rob!
ReplyDeleteI know this isn't exactly about gay's in the military but as only a follower I am pretty sure I can't start my own topic on this blog. You guys should checkout this case about the bill in Uganda. it is absolutely disgusting.
ReplyDeletehttp://gayswithoutborders.wordpress.com/2010/02/17/gay-scouts-may-face-death-penalty-in-uganda-execution-of-gays-proposed-by-ugandan-scout-leader-by-peter-tatchell/
http://www.petertatchell.net/international/uganda-anti-homosexuality-bill%E2%80%93a-briefing.html
Thank you for sharing this information about gays in the military and the history. I think it is imperative to know the historical background and experiences to know where we are with issues and how they came about and still exist in other forms today. I learned a great deal about the details of how the military screened for homosexuality. I know this is an issue and is not dealt with in justice and equal treatment of all but I did not know the extent to what indiviuals had to and still have to live through in the military in order to serve thier country. It is awful to think about the fact that some people want to go into the military to serve their country and their country serves them with such dispicable treatment in return, wow.
ReplyDelete