Striking a Nerve

     Regardless of how you may feel about Gays, Lesbians, Homosexuals, Transgendered or variations there of, to say they do not serve in the military is both naive and foolish.  The military is a reflection of the society it serves.


     The compromise policy of "Don't Ask, Don't Tell" enacted under President Clinton was an attempt to appease the liberals and perhaps buy some time for a reasonable alternative.  It has done nothing but cause problems for commanders.


     Now as the Department of Defense prepares to certify, as required by Congress, its readiness for the repeal of Don't Ask, Don't Tell there is a political clamoring by both sides that this will a) make everything okay or b) ruin everything.  It will do neither.  It will be just one more step down a road to whatever the future holds for us.


     To think its repeal will make gays openly accepted in an organization where conservative values are strong is foolish.  There will still be subtle peer to peer discrimination and potentially hostile response by those who remain bigoted.  What it will mean is a gay cannot be discharged for being gay, but if that individual does not fit within the expectations of the organization for good order and discipline they will still be subject to the Uniform Code of Military Justice.


     Also, I suspect many civilians will believe that a gay couple will enjoy all the rights of a married couple.  I don't think so, unless some action to repeal the Defense of Marriage Act of 1996 is taken.  Although Attorney General Holder and President Obama have chosen not to defend this in the courts -- until it is overturned by the Supreme Court or repealed by statute it is the law of the land and the Department of Defense must comply with it.  As a federal statute it will preempt for the DoD any state laws.


     So, lets assume as one of Secretary Gates parting acts he certifies the Department is ready for the repeal of Don't Ask, Don't Tell, what happens the next day?  I think next to nothing!  The war goes on, and gay men and lesbian women serving today in the military will continue to serve.  The bias we all have (either for or against) will continue, and bigotry by the uneducated will continue.  The only thing that will change are a couple of articles in the UCMJ dealing with sodomy will go away.