Repeal of ‘Don’t ask don’t tell’ important to nation
In this Sunday, June 27, 1993 file photo, a man who wished not to be identified has the slogan “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell” painted on his torso as he prepares to march in the 24th Annual Lesbian and Gay Pride Parade in New York. Defense Secretary Robert Gates, appearing before the Armed Services Committee on Tuesday, Feb. 2, 2010, announced plans to loosen enforcement rules involving the “don’t ask, don’t tell” policy that has been in effect since 1993.
In this year’s State of the Union Address, President Barack Obama proposed a congressional repeal of the “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell” policy implemented by former President Bill Clinton in 1993.
The policy entails that no member of the army can engage in a homosexual act, state that they are homosexual or bisexual, or marry or attempt to marry a person known to be of the same biological sex.
In layman’s terms the policy dictates that if you are gay, bisexual, lesbian or transgender you have no place in the armed forces. You can join, but you must keep your desires, thoughts, feelings and relationships an absolute secret from the rest of the world.
Now, Obama wants to repeal this policy and make the army a safer place for the lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender community.
The voices from both political parties have been heard, and their message is loud and clear. A great number of Republicans want to keep this policy, as they claim the repeal of it will actually harm the army.
It’s unclear if it is merely a political move for the Republican Party, as they have become the party of “no,” but what is certain is that they are playing with people’s lives. These people are the same people who are right now fighting for their security and well-being.
On the other hand, Democrats are in unanimous support for the repealing of the infamous policy. They argue that it is the right thing to do, not only for the LGBT community but also for the nation.
It is not only about human rights but also about what is best for the union. To let these men and women serve openly could guarantee a larger number of people signing up for service. It could also enable a better working environment in the armed forces.
When you embrace a group of people and make them feel as if they have a voice and a place, they respond. This open attitude is how America can not only better protect itself against the likes of terrorism but also create a more unified nation.
Currently the Unite States finds itself fighting two wars in the worst economic crisis since the Great Depression and struggling in a number of other fronts. It is important that no group of citizens go underrepresented or mistreated for who they are.
America boasts about its ability to offer freedom and a fair chance to every citizen. Yet in the year 2010, the nation still finds itself in the midst of a civil rights battle.
What Obama is trying to do is to reintegrate these men and women onto the core of the American nation and onto the level of first class citizens.
While the nation has previously shown acceptance for the LGBT community, it still resists accepting these men and women as deserving first class citizens.
In recent years the community has seen a great number of advances. Yet it is puzzling to figure out why they are still marginalized for something they have no control over.
It is crucial that “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell” gets repealed, not only for the safety of our nation but also for the acceptance of all American citizens. It is in this spirit that this great nation was founded and in which it must move forward.
