Don't Ask Them Not to Tell

Don’t Ask Them Not to Tell

I just finished writing yet another letter to my elected representatives in Congress urging them to join with President Obama and repeal the ludicrous “don’t ask, don’t tell” policy in the military.

I told them that I hoped at least one of them had seen the "West Wing" episode showing a scene with a panel of military higher-ups arguing with the White House Chief of Staff and others when Admiral Fitzwallace (Chairman of the Joint Chiefs) comes in and reminds everyone that there was a time in military history when black men like him weren't allowed to serve. Gods! I love that show!

Who knows how many gay and lesbian soldiers would prove to be courageous and innovative leaders if given the chance to be themselves and still move up in the ranks like their straight counterparts? Who knows how many operations, missions, and lives would be saved by their participation? Who knows what improvements would be made in the uniforms? Well, OK, stereotyping, perhaps, but, really, you can’t tell me that a guy who does drag in 4” heels couldn’t find a way to make Army boots more comfortable!

In a time when our military has been stretched to the point of having to keep sending people back for tour after tour of duty until they have mental breakdowns, to accept soldiers with criminal records and sociopathic tendencies , how can they possibly justify turning anyone away based on who they choose to have sex with?

And as for national security and the danger of all those blabby gays spilling our secrets during a tryst – anyone who’s ever worked at an AIDS service organization has personally witnessed the titanic ability of gay people to keep a secret when it’s essential! The ability, for anyone, gay, bi, or straight, to hide their Truth in terms of their HIV status is one thing that's kept the disease spreading. If society would end the stigma and discrimination concerning HIV, people would be free to openly take measures to protect themselves and their partners. If the military were to end the homophobia that created this policy, gay and lesbian people would be free to indeed "be all that they can be."