Time to Repeal DADT
Culture, GLBT, Nation 8:24 AM
by Nick Stone of Drawnlines Politics.
When President Clinton triangulated and signed a new policy called “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell” into law 17 years ago, military policy took an uncomfortably big step into the modern era by ending most witch hunts against homosexuals. Not since the AMA removed homosexuality from the list of mental disorders had gay rights taken such a step out of the darkness. It is now time for Congress to send President Obama swift legislation to end discrimination altogether, ending the military gay ban altogether.
The gay community has derided President Obama for stalling on his campaign pledge to end the policy, but he deserves support for dealing with the complicated and emotionally-charged issue with care. He also deserves credit for his commitment to discharge the issue in accordance with the law, rather than circumventing the law. His insistence on a military investigation is laudable.
Yesterday, the Pentagon released details of a report suggesting that a strong majority of enlisted military personnel “don’t care” whether or not GLBT individuals serve alongside them. Only 30 percent thought it would lead to “negative consequences.” Many respondents rightly said they felt they had already served with gays, and a paltry 8 percent of those reported a negative impact from their experiences.
To be clear, many militaries around the world already allow gay and lesbian troops to serve without incident. Many are NATO allies with which we already share a battlefield in Iraq and Afghanistan. US troops have been embedded with gay Israeli, Canadian, British, French, German, Spanish and Australian troops for decades. Incidents and complications have proven minimal, despite initial fears.
Of course, gay and lesbian troops will be held to the same standards of fraternization and personal conduct as any other service members. Sexual harassment and inappropriate behavior of any sort will and should be squelched.
Defense Secretary Robert Gates urges swift action during the current lame duck session, suggesting that a failure to resolve the issue could lead to more disruptive legal injunctions. His call makes GOP support for the repeal essential.
A key Republican voice on the issue will be Senator Scott Brown, a member of the Senate Armed Services Committee – set to hold hearings on the report this week. Republicans who might support the measure but need cover on their right flank will be reassured by the report’s findings. They will also have the support of military “brass” including Admiral Mike Mullen and General Colin Powell, who said in 2009 that the policy was right for the time but should be reviewed as our culture has changed.
Conservative icon Barry Goldwater famously preferred full integration as far back as 1993.
If a bill passes the Senate this month, it must go to the House where a strong Democrat majority is sure to pass the bill and send it to the president.
Ending DADT will entice many gay and lesbian civilians to consider serving their country without compromising their principles. It also puts America back on the front lines of leadership by example. Repeal is one campaign pledge that President Obama can – and should – keep. Let’s help him do that by offering strong bipartisan support for equality under law.
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When President Clinton triangulated and signed a new policy called “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell” into law 17 years ago, military policy took an uncomfortably big step into the modern era by ending most witch hunts against homosexuals. Not since the AMA removed homosexuality from the list of mental disorders had gay rights taken such a step out of the darkness. It is now time for Congress to send President Obama swift legislation to end discrimination altogether, ending the military gay ban altogether.
The gay community has derided President Obama for stalling on his campaign pledge to end the policy, but he deserves support for dealing with the complicated and emotionally-charged issue with care. He also deserves credit for his commitment to discharge the issue in accordance with the law, rather than circumventing the law. His insistence on a military investigation is laudable.
Yesterday, the Pentagon released details of a report suggesting that a strong majority of enlisted military personnel “don’t care” whether or not GLBT individuals serve alongside them. Only 30 percent thought it would lead to “negative consequences.” Many respondents rightly said they felt they had already served with gays, and a paltry 8 percent of those reported a negative impact from their experiences.
To be clear, many militaries around the world already allow gay and lesbian troops to serve without incident. Many are NATO allies with which we already share a battlefield in Iraq and Afghanistan. US troops have been embedded with gay Israeli, Canadian, British, French, German, Spanish and Australian troops for decades. Incidents and complications have proven minimal, despite initial fears.
Of course, gay and lesbian troops will be held to the same standards of fraternization and personal conduct as any other service members. Sexual harassment and inappropriate behavior of any sort will and should be squelched.
Defense Secretary Robert Gates urges swift action during the current lame duck session, suggesting that a failure to resolve the issue could lead to more disruptive legal injunctions. His call makes GOP support for the repeal essential.
A key Republican voice on the issue will be Senator Scott Brown, a member of the Senate Armed Services Committee – set to hold hearings on the report this week. Republicans who might support the measure but need cover on their right flank will be reassured by the report’s findings. They will also have the support of military “brass” including Admiral Mike Mullen and General Colin Powell, who said in 2009 that the policy was right for the time but should be reviewed as our culture has changed.
Conservative icon Barry Goldwater famously preferred full integration as far back as 1993.
If a bill passes the Senate this month, it must go to the House where a strong Democrat majority is sure to pass the bill and send it to the president.
Ending DADT will entice many gay and lesbian civilians to consider serving their country without compromising their principles. It also puts America back on the front lines of leadership by example. Repeal is one campaign pledge that President Obama can – and should – keep. Let’s help him do that by offering strong bipartisan support for equality under law.
Become an insider today
Check us out on FACEBOOK
Posted by Nick Stone
on 8:24 AM.
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How are you going to feel when the party you support overwhelmingly votes to reject repealing the ban and continues to condone legalized discrimination?