Can’t Ask, Won’t Tell
By: Cornelle D. Carney
Facebook: www.facebook.com/cornelle.carney
Recently, a U.S. District Court judge ruled that the military’s controversial “don’t ask, don’t tell” (DADT) policy is unconstitutional. This judge wrote a four score opinion on the matter saying that is contradicts the First and Fifth Amendments of the supreme law of the land.
For gays and lesbians that have been denied or revoked service in any branch of the military, this is a win for them. For me, a current member of the military, this is also a win for me. Not saying that I am gay or anything, but as a person that is not homophobic and is against violence this is a win. This policy, which was enacted under President Bill Clinton’s administration, has caused soldiers their lives. One soldier in particular was literally beaten to death because of rumors that started about his sexually. Those soldiers who committed those deadly acts against their own battle buddy were jailed; however, this policy is still in place and is literally wrecking the lives of solider members.
One of my battle buddies, Hefridge, is gay. Our chain-of-command knows this but cannot approach him about this because of the DADT policy. Rumors have been going around that he has been having sexual intercourse with other men while on this deployment and a lot of animosity towards him has manifested. He does not deny being gay. I am concerned about him. What if someone reaches a tipping point and begin to assault him? What if he reaches a tipping point and harms himself?
The purpose of the DADT policy is ultimately to keep a strong, masculine-like military. The real question here is: will allowing gays in the military eliminate the masculinity that is normally associated with being in the military? Furthermore, will fighting alongside a gay make me less capable of doing my job? The answer for me is obvious. I would like to get some outside opinions on this matter however.
If you would like to participate in this discussion, you can do so by replying directly to this blog posting.
C. D. Carney
Cornelle CoCa Carney
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United States Army
Grand Canyon
Somebody's sexuality has nothing to do about how masculine they are. There are many homosexual men who are far more stereotypically masculine than many heterosexual men. This concern is irrelevant.
ReplyDeleteSince when do we, as Americans, care what other nations think about us. If our military is less "masculine", but still does the job and maintains is superiority, then why should we care. Military action is an asexual thing, and death knows no gender or sexuality. Our nation is equally that of men and women, homosexual and heterosexual. If one wishes to protect the existence of their country, they should have that privilege. If one is capable of serving, the military should have no qualms about their participation.
So I agree, but i don't think someone's sexuality should be known. I'm agaisnt the don't ask don't tell...for Sexuality. Honestly I belive that all personal information should stay personal. I don't too much of a strong take on this issue but I do feel people should mind their business and do their job.
ReplyDeleteThanks for the comments. Let me first make it clear that I am against DADT. I agree that death has no sexuality and gender. I never intended to lead one to believe that the military is concerned about masculinity because if it were there would not be any females in the ranks. However, in a heter-normative society, discriminatory and prejudicial acts against gays (side note: the term gay is preferred over the term homosexual as gays see their acts as more than just having sex with someone of the same gender. The homosexual term, in most cases, refers to having sex with someone of the same gender rather than the intimacy and relationship component as well) are prevalent. Gays are equally as capable their counterparts to defend the freedoms of life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness. Let there be no doubt: the military says that soldiers cannot drink alcoholic beverages while on Title 10 (war) orders. I cannot say that I have cooperated with this rule; nonetheless, I know the same is happening with the DADT policy. Bottom line is DADT should not be policy. People should be able to protect their freedoms and be free to be involved with whichever gender he or she feels.
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