Should we end "Don't ask, don't tell"?

Question

From the current edition of "The Advocate":

Twenty-eight retired generals and admirals released a letter Friday urging Congress to overturn the ban on gays serving openly in the military, according to The New York Times. The letter cites information showing that 65,000 gay men and lesbians are currently serving in the military and that there are more than 1 million gay and lesbian veterans who have "served our nation honorably."

“We respectfully urge Congress to repeal the ‘don’t ask, don’t tell’ policy,” the letter says. “Those of us signing this letter have dedicated our lives to defending the rights of our citizens to believe whatever they wish.”

The pressure to repeal the ban is on members of Congress, as the Department of Defense is on record saying it will uphold whatever legislation Congress passes on the subject.

Each of the Democratic candidates running for president has pledged to end the "don't ask, don't tell" policy should they become president. In contrast, Republic

Answer 1

Yes. It worked when it was first introduced 15 years ago but times have changed. I definitely think it is time for it to end. Someone who is willing to risk their life shouldn't have to keep their sexuality a secret.

Answer 2

I'm retired from the Army and Don't Ask Don't Tell was just codifying what I had always done. I hope that being gay or lesbian is allowed in the military one day soon. If it isn't, don't ask don't tell is better than nothing. I remember a time when the MPs would stage sting operations to catch us. I never, under any circumstances pursued my gay ways anywhere near an Army post and never revealed it to another soldier.
There was one occasion when a group of other NCOs beat another NCO almost to death because they thought he was gay. He wasn't but that didn't protect him. Straight guys can be so irrational about the subject.

Answer 3

Absolutely yes. Look at all the other great western nations that allow gays to serve openly in the military; UK, France, Spain, etc., etc. Actually, the graphic below does areally good job of it.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Image:Gay_military.png

Answer 4

When I left the Army, ( 5 years ago) the policy was "don't ask, don't tell, don't pursue." This was because a lot of people were trying to get out of the military for being gay, not because they were getting kicked out. If someone was gay, they left it alone. A girl in my unit told them she was gay (she was openly gay with a Sargent) and wanted to get out, they said no. Being gay doesn't keep or get you out of the military anymore.

Answer 5

I am a retired Army man, and I say end the policy of don't ask don't tell. I know several gay men and women that I served with. They never tried to force their lifestyle on me, and they did their jobs. Fear is a bad thing. I feel sorry for those who fear the gays.

Answer 6

I think the "don't ask, don't tell" policy is the safest middle ground. Before you could not even be in the military if you were homosexual. But the problem is that barracks living is pretty intimate, shared showers, little privacy. So it's probably not a good idea to be announcing to your barracks mates that you are gay. Some of them may be violently homophobic and not appreciate being forced to live in such close proximity with someone they find offensive. In fact when the military first withdrew the restriction on gays in the military quite a few openly came out, and were promptly assaulted for it by their comrades.

Personally I've never been able to understand why the gay community seems to think their contributions are somehow better because they're gay. Your service to your country speaks for itself, don't make it about your lifestyle choices, just be proud of what you did for it's own merit.

Answer 7

i am all for gays in the military, however i think "don't ask, don't tell" is a good policy. although i am supportive of gays in the military, not all service people are. rather than risk some hazing/abuse issues from ignorant service people, i would prefer that it remain a private issue. not all military personnel are as open-minded and liberal as others. i would hate for a gay service person to be systematically passed over for promotions or treated unfairly by bigoted higher-ups.

Answer 8

I am a straight man and in no way involved in the military, but YES we should lift that ban, America has just got to accept the fact that we aren't an all white and straight "perfect" nation. Anybody who is going to risk their life to protect our country, shouldn't be restricted by their sexual orientaion. Oh well, hopefully a few generations down the road, your sexual preference won't matter to people anymore than the type of clothes you wear.

Answer 9

there are already tons of homosexuals in the military, they join everyday, and people are not getting kicked out like they used to, well the guys are, usually the girls never do.
but they can do everything that a straight person can do so it really shouldnt matter

Answer 10

people could still lie though...and why should it matter if they are homosexual? they should be glad that they have people serving on their army...it says there 65,000 men and 1 million had served...without any of those there would have been a great possibility that this nation might have losed all his wars it has gone to...