Repeal--"Don't Ask Don't Tell"

The "Don't Ask, Don't Tell, Don't Pursue, Don't Harass" policy is a practical ban on gay men, lesbians and bisexuals serving in the military. "Don't Ask, Don't Tell" is the only law in this country that authorizes the firing of an American simply for coming out as gay, lesbian, or bisexual. If one of the service members at anytime reveals his or her sexual orientation to anyone it could lead to being discharged from the armed services. Commanders or
appointed officials aren't suppose to ask and members are not required to reveal their sexual orientation. There are many who are ineligible to serve our military because of inadequate education, criminal records, or health issues but the qualified, smart, law-abiding and physically fit who want to serve, are being excluded just because of their sexual orientation.

In the blog, ThinkProgress, Igor Volsky writes an article about a cadet who came out to her superiors and offered her resignation. Cadet Katherine Miller is among the more than 13,500 service members that have been discharged under the law since 1994. In her statement she explains how she was trying to hide who she really was, going as far as to make up a story about her heterosexual dating history so she would be excepted as well as no one cluing in on her secret.

Miller said, "I have created a heterosexual dating history to recite to fellow cadets when they inquire. I have endured sexual harassment for fear of being accused as a lesbian by rejecting or reporting these events. I have been coerced into ignoring derogatory comments towards homosexuals for fear of being alienated for my viewpoint. In short, I have lied to my classmates and compromised my integrity and my identity by adhering to existing military policy."

What's so interesting is her blogging under the pseudonym, Private Second Class Citizen, for the velvet park website. Miller reported on the “underground” lesbian culture in the Academy and the harassment she underwent to remain in the closet. In my opinion, this policy is ridiculous because basically they want and allow gays to join the military they just don't want to know about it. A recent Washington Post-ABC News poll shows that 75 percent of Americans support gays serving openly in the military as well as 73 percent of military personnel are also comfortable with lesbians and gays. We have made great strides in our society growing more excepting of gay and lesbians and we need to move forward to repeal the "Don't Ask Don't Tell" policy. The Pentagon has taken the first steps toward repealing the military's controversial "don't ask, don't tell" policy, yet it could take a year to finalize. The ultimate decision on whether to repeal the policy rests with Congress. Obama has already expressed the desire to repeal the law.