I’m not a soldier, and I never have been. But I’m guessing if you have the mental and physical strength to protect lives and take lives while preserving your own life in the face of constant deadly danger most of us will never experience, you also have whatever it takes to share close quarters with a soldier you know to be gay.
Today, the repeal of Don’t Ask Don’t Tell goes into effect. The US military no longer requires gay soldiers to remain in the closet. Gays and lesbians can now get on with serving their country without the unnecessary, unjustifiable and discriminatory pressure of having to hide their partners, families and the basic facts of who they are.
The DADT repeal is not only a victory for equality, but also a victory for common sense. If you can handle bombs, guns, violence, death and destruction, you can handle the fact the guy next to you is gay. If you can’t get over that, you shouldn’t be in the military.
Congratulations to the brave gay men and women of the American military who now have the freedom to be honest and open with their fellow soldiers.
In the video below, a US soldier and formerly anonymous video blogger phones home to tell his dad he’s gay:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DVAgz6iyK6A
Holla!
This never made sense, especially in an all volunteer military. Someone who didn’t want to serve with women, or Muslims or gays…always has the choice to not sign up, or leave of THEIR accord.
That would be the most effective way of weeding out bigots and not indulging bigotry in the first place. Something that in itself is deadly and has proven to be.
Discharging a talented and committed gay soldier (which cost our nation money we didn’t have) made no sense, considering the volunteer aspect.
Mandatory service in other countries, like Israel, settled this issue years ago. So it’s been an example of exceptional cowardice that OUR country didn’t do the same a long time ago as well.
Yes, and I have to bust individuals on their own contradictions when it came to the morality of gay people serving.
We have heard the staunchest complaints coming from those who haven’t served in the military themselves at all.
I’ve observed complaints from those serving, (especially males) which places them in an empathetic position with female soldiers. Who do suffer a serious threat of sexual assault within the ranks. It figures such a teaching moment is lost on such male soldiers.
Lastly, there is a particularly strong moral character within someone who can risk their lives and limbs in the service of a country that has no sense of reciprocity or respect for gay people as a whole as full and equal citizens. Right before the nation is a demographic of people who are committed to being responsible and productive despite barriers placed in front of them not to be.
That proves that the desire, commitment and strength to persevere and be allied to what’s good about this nation isn’t recognized for what it is and should be.
Not only that, despite the actual physical threats, the violence and spite exacted on the gay community, said community doesn’t respond in kind with violence or threat.
That is a demonstration of exceptional moral strength
And those who express the most anti gay sentiment try to claim it is THEY who are strong and moral, regardless of the hysteria, fear and lying to save their own aims they are truly displaying.
I’m glad I can see the difference and believe me I relish pointing it out at EVERY blessed opportunity.
The exchange between that young man and his father reflects real American values. I feel just a little better about this country today, it’s been a long time coming.
It was difficult to hear the dad’s replies to his son but I definitely got the fact that the news his son was gay did not affect their relationship at all and he was a much loved son. It was good too that he has not been treated badly by his fellow soldiers.
His getting worked up about the phone call and really sweating it out is a familiar trait of the anguish experienced by kids who are coming out to parents. I am so glad for this lad that he no longer has to keep the “real” person hid away. As it should be….he’s walking tall now as he’s been able to come out to his parents/family/friends.