Don't Ask, Don't Tell Repealed

Apparently it's a week for current events...

Today President Obama and company repealed the "Don't Ask, Don't Tell" policy. In case you've been living under a rock for the last 20 years or so, here's some background information. The policy went into effect in 1993 and basically states that the military is restricted from efforts to discover or reveal the sexuality of it's members. It also states that if you're openly gay, lesbian or bisexual that you are barred from military service. So, on one hand, while it's great that it prevents the military from digging into anyone's sexuality, it's bad because it doesn't allow you to open about what your sexuality might be. When it was introduced by President Clinton, the alleged idea was to protect LGBT soldiers from harassed.

Retired General Shalikashvili (who was formerly against LGBT soldiers serving) wrote: "Our military has been stretched thin by our deployments in the Middle East, and we must welcome the service of any American who is willing and able to do the job."

So, here are my thoughts. People are gay. They're working at the doctor's office, at the DMV, at the grocery store. Many of them are out. Some of them are not. Let's not pretend that LGBT people do not exist. They are people just like you and I who have made a choice in their life (some will even argue that it's not a choice). Why on earth would we stop them from serving in the military?! As the good General above said, we can use every person who is willing to defend this country right now. In fact, I think it says something that a person who's rights are not even supported by the country is willing to fight (and die) for that very country.

I'd also like to remind people that there was once a time that we didn't allow blacks or women to serve in the military... maybe we need to learn from our past.

I think today is a huge victory, not just for the LGBT community but for our country as a whole. I know that I'm incredibly thankful for my freedoms and I don't care if the person who gave their life for that is gay or not! It makes me proud to be an American today!

Link to CNN's coverage.