Well for years the US Military has had the policy of "Don't ask don't tell" policy. Basically if you are gay that if fine but don't talk about it, your sexual preference is your so keep it quiet. Now President Obama would like to end the don't ask don't tell and allow gays to be open in the Military.
So what are your thoughts? Do you think that being more open in the Military is a good thing or do you feel that it really isn't anyone's business so why make a big deal out of it? Is the "Don't ask don't tell" discriminating?
Well I think you put it right. I agree with you that I have NOTHING against gays but I do think that relationships should be left at home (gay and straight). They do have a task at hand and that needs to be the main focus. I dunno I'm not a gay in the military so maybe if I was I would have a different view but for now I think the don't ask don't tell works. Don't fix something that doesn't need fixing.
*hides behind geekgirl and darn her for being skinny - not much room to hide*
In my experience gay people are just as trustworthy as straight people. So I would trust a gay member of the military with my life in the same way I would a straight member. To say that you should hide who you are because it distracts some one is their problem not the gay person. They used to say women couldn't serve on the front lines because they couldn't get the job done. Now there are no front lines and we are finding out women can hold their own. Be it straight or gay woman. I was in the military and there were people that were believed to be homosexual. They could still do their job. No one failed to get their jobs done because they thought this person was gay. It's all just an excuse to allow bigotry and hate. History will look back on us and show our ignorance. Just as history has shown that slavery was wrong. Just as history has shown that women deserve the right to vote. And one day history will show that a gay American can die in service to their country the same way a straight soldier can. And at that time the gay soldier's spouse shall receive the same benefits and honor given to the spouse of a straight soldier who gave their life.
As far as being able to openly discuss their sexuality it will be no different than when straight soldiers do. Sexual harassment won't be tolerated. A guy could say that he and his husband are going to the lake this weekend but couldn't grab another soldier's arse. Pretty basic stuff.
No its definitely NOT a good thing, leave it at home The military is NOT a place to discuss your sexuality, its a place to focus on the task at hand. Why does it matter what your sexuality is whether its the workplace or the bar or where ever? Like it or not if you're openly gay in the military you're going to get a hard time, thats just a fact IMO. I don't understand what the purpose is of saying what your sexuality is anyway. Let's hope this doesn't happen. Don't ask don't tell is not discriminating, asking, and telling, then being given hard time because of it is discriminating. Get your act together Obama and concentrate on more important issues for the love of GOD!!! Leave the military alone, it's doing a good job, lets not screw that up.
Ok last night I asked both my hubby and close friend this question. Both former Marines.
Hubby: He was helllllllllllllll no - they need to keep the don't ask don't tell. He said although he has no issues with gays he wasn't sure he wanted to shower with them. He said it would be like him showering with a bunch of girls he might not be attracted to them but they wouldn't like it. He said if they dropped it that they would need to create a platoon just for them. He said he would just be uncomfortable with it.
close friend (who might I add is a retired gunny in the USMC): He said he had no issues with it and he understands and thinks it should be dropped (the don't ask don't tell). He stated that you can basically tell who is and who is not so what does it really matter. Their sexual preference had nothing to do with their job and regardless who they are the Military has rules that apply to everyone regarding their conduct including sexual conduct. As long as they are doing their job then its not a issue.
So there ya have it.
Yeah I'm sure it is kinda obvious of who is and who isn't but still. I think gays will get a really hard time if they openly admit they are, I don't see the point of it really.... what is the point anyway?? I mean if you apply for a job, any job, do they ask what your sexual orientation is? no, because it doesn't serve a purpose and it shouldn't matter as long as you're qualified for the job. I just think it's going to create a whole new set of issues (read problems) if he drops it.
Well I can understand some. I'm sure as much as we like to chat about our family life (XXXX and I went to the park this weekend and had a picnic, blah blah blah) I'm sure they would like to also. I get that. I'm sure they do feel left out and yes that is ashame but its just that is how society is for now. See I look at it as also for their protection and I hate to say that. I just think if they came out and admitted it that some might not deal too well with it. Its a catch 22
no i don't think its a good thing noooooo.. better to leave it alone, if its not broken don't fix it, i wonder what obama is thinking with this or even wonder what his MO is?
It's not even about making others uncomfortable or a guy talking about the guy he bandged last night. It's about hiding who you are. Not about being able to discuss it. Imagine if your spouse is leaving for war. You may literally never see them again. Possibly the very last second you might ever see them again alive is when the families bid them fairwell at the unit. Now imagine having to tell your spouse that they can't see you before you leave because you are the same sex and some outdated rule says that you will be kicked out of the military you love and would die for if someone sees you kiss goodbye maybe for the very last time.
Fair is fair. Wrong is wrong. I don't have to do a lot of internal searching to know which is which.
I'm not trying to upset anyone. Maybe just to make someone see things a little differently. There are certain things I feel very strongly about. Equal rights for everyone is one of those things.
if someone sees you kiss goodbye maybe for the very last time.
Why would people have to see them kiss?
Ok i'm going to duck and cover now.