I wanted to expand on the topic of Gay's in the Military, not because its the most important topic in reguards to this population group but because it is the largest branch of our government. It is where the lions share of money is funneled to. Your money, the tax payers hard earned money, and we as the population of the united states doesn't even get a choice to where our money goes. As a registered and active voter it frustrates me that our government allows discrimination with in its defense structure. Our military is suposed to protect the people who can not protect themselves, yet it fails to protect its own members or actually forces them to live and serve in secret.
In 1993 President Bill Clinton attempted to remove the ban placed on Gays serving in the military. He failed! Our governing agencies didn't support this action, and faught to keep it on the books for fear it would destroy the military. What was accomplished was the policy of "don't ask and don't tell" Which really is just another way of saying "stay in the closet" "live a lie" and "don't be who you really are".
For a country who is off fighting battels to bring equality to all fails to bring equality to its defenders! The United States is the only member of NATO to have such a ban on members of its military.
The following are some examples used to describe pros and cons of Gays/Lesbians in the military:
Pros:
No one doubts the actual abilities of this population to get things done in an effecient and effective manner. Hard work is not an issue for this population.
The argument against this population in the Military is based on problems caused by homophobia amoung hetrosexuals and it would allow hetrosexuals to see how effctive they can be in any situations.
Having Gay/Lesbian sodiers will actuall decrease preduice when given opportunity to dispel myths.
Many other professions require a bond of trust and intense living conditions amound there employees where Gays and Lesbians are not banned from, such as emergency services, medical agencies, fire, police, and oil rig workers.
Cons:
Soldiers live in close quarters and effectiveness depends on a mutual trust and complicated comraderies, and sexual relations undermine this bond.
There is a worry that not all applicants are driven by an vocational calling, with such an large population of young healthy individuals the gays would be driven to enlist because of the pool of possible partners.
Life and death situations carry special circumstances and any mental disception could be fatal.
Blackmail may also be a problem and be a cause to worry about national security.
The pro and cons listed above were actual accounts of ideas put forth about Gays and Lesbians in the military. I ask you to google don't ask don't tell and take a look at some of the ideas that people have on this issue it will really make you think about how many people are uninformed and mis-educated on such topics.
Subscribe to:
Post Comments (Atom)
The idea that gays may join the military just for the pool of possible partners is not one that I had heard before. It seems unbelievable to me that this notion would exist and be public thought.
ReplyDeleteAlso, I do not understand the statement: blackmail may also be a problem and be a cause to worry about national security
I agree Heather. Joining the military to meet a partner? So lets see, we'll go off and possible get wounded, lose a limb, or get killed to meet a possible partner??!! Hmmmm. Also, didn't get the blackmail thing. In addition, wasn't or isn't President O'Bama working to remove the "don't ask, don't tell." ?? I know it was something he was working to remove but with the healthcare issue taking front burner, I don't know if that has been addressed yet.
ReplyDeleteLadies I am right there with you. I think it is a stretch to say that individuals, regardless of sexual orientation, would join the military to meet the love of their life. I cannot imagine that that would be the motivation behind enlisting.
ReplyDeleteCindy I do recall hearing something about President O'Bama removing the don't ask don't tell policy. I have not heard an update though.
This comment has been removed by the author.
ReplyDeleteThis post was a real eye opener! I would have never thought about gay issues in our military. It was really crazy to think that our government's job is to protect that people who can not protect themselves, but they fail to protect it's own members in the military and that they actually force them to live and serve in secret. I think this is crazy, and something that should not be an issue. I also agree with the other comments for this post.
ReplyDeleteCindy- I love the way you phrased your thoughts about how crazy it would be for a gay man to enlist to find possible partners. It really does seem very unrealistic that someones thought patterns would be like that.
ReplyDeleteI thought it was great that there are posts on this topic. I believe that no one should be kept from fighting for this country if that is what they wish to do. Especially if they are being kept from it because of their sexual preferences. I think it's a tricky area though for some of the reasons listed in the con section. For example. If GLBT were "out" in the military would they be targeted by their fellow soldiers. It's strange to think about how much would have to change. For example: at basic training militray officials belittle service men/women by calling them things like sissy or fag. This could not continue. I'm not saying it's right I'm just observing that the whole structure would have to be shifted
ReplyDeleteI think the notion of homosexuals being more of a target than other oppressed populations in the military is a argument formulated by those in favor of don't ask, don't tell. It seems to me that there is no more of a prevelence of homephobics in the military than racists. However, we allow African Americans to join the military with the possibility that they may be insulted and oppressed. I don't think we are protecting homosexuals with that arguement, but rather supporting discrimination.
ReplyDeleteExcellent point Carolyn. I didn't think of that. All minorities who are being targeting should be of equal concern.
ReplyDeleteI think you all put it very well with your reactions and I second them all. I just can not believe that some people are so closed minded. But it surrounds me everyday so I should get used to it.
ReplyDeleteHi Melissa. I think it's a very good thing that you are not use to it. I think if we do get use to it then it perpetuates it. You are right though, it seems like it is every where.
ReplyDelete