Obama and the End of the Military's Ban on Gays

Wouldn't that be novel; gay soldiers serving openly in the military. People willing to fight and perhaps die for freedom allowed to freely be themselves.

With Barack Obama as president it's not just possible. Thankfully, it's probable.

Out on the stump candidate Obama promised to work toward lifting the ban on gays serving openly, calling the ban is a "counterproductive strategy." A typically Obama-esque way to intellectualize what is a moral imperative: the obligation of the government to fight discrimination which, obviously, includes the institutionalization of "separate but equal."

While this will not be an easy fight -- the passage of the bigoted Prop 8 in California only demonstrates the glacial pace the acceptance of Sexual Orientation moves -- it also won't likely be a return to the belabored hearings of the Clinton presidency which produced the Bizarro World Don't Ask, Don't Tell (DADT) non-policy of not asking what nobody's saying.

But attitudes are changing. According to a Washington Post-ABC news poll 75 percent of Americans support allowing gays to serve openly. That's as compared to only 45 percent in 1993 when Clinton made his effort.

Intentions aside, this policy reversal isn't one Obama can perform alone. That is to say, by Executive Order. As Federal law, DADT must be repealed by Congress. To that end California Congresswoman Ellen Tauscher has introduced a bill to overturn the ban which has picked up nearly 150 cosponsors. And CNN reports: "More than 100 retired U.S. military leaders -- including the former head of the Naval Academy -- have signed a statement calling for an end to" DADT.

For those who believe spiking DADT is just some social do-goodery, it's much more than that. It's a matter of national security, and not merely in terms of filling the "boots" of our military. Since 1998 the US military has discharged more than 58 Arabic and Farsi translators because they were gay. As I've said previously, here we are told again and again that Americans are in a decades-long struggle to secure Western civilization which will require shared sacrifice from all, yet all are not allowed to share the fight.

And all the talk of negative effects on unit cohesion among the ranks, the ability for gays to serve effectively under pressure... Lies. And we know they are lies. They are lies because have already demonstrated distinguished service in some of the hottest spots on the planet. Just not openly so. And the bromides about lack of ability or the erosion of unit cohesion; same nasty things that were said of Black soldiers prior to President Truman signing EO 9981 which ended segregation in the military (at least as policy).

While it will not likely be Obama's priority to dismantle DADT, and honestly it should not be, I would be personally willing to take the bet that as change truly comes to America, the days of this flawed and failed policy are numbered.

For more news and views go to That Minority Thing.com

Comments

[triplbee]

As an African-American, I am amazed at how similar the arguments against granting GLBT folks equality are to those once used against African-Americans: religious arguments against expanding marriage rights (interracial marriage was illegal until 1967); the assumption that expanding the right to serve in the military will erode unit cohesion (this is exactly what white military leaders said in the 50s when Truman integrated military units).

[Jennysaypa]

Events like the cellphone with naughty pix on it left in McDonalds are going to be more and more common events as the dissemination of photographic and remote sensing becomes widespread.

The only real answer is to divorce issues of sex and sexuality from the jobs that people do, especially the important and stressful work related to the military and national security.

That said, Obama should remember the reaction by gay activists to DODT was Bill Clinton's first real humiliation after taking office. He came back to the gay community and said look I got half a loaf--and then he got clobbered for it.

[Mschmal]

Stop using religion as an excuse for your prejudice.

Everyone always wants to come back to the bible when it comes to gays and gay marriage. Dig below the surface though and you soon discover that this is just people trying to defend and rationalize their prejudice.

The bible Jesus said specifically that you shouldn't get divorced. Yet we have people who get divorced all the time.

The bible says that you shouldn't commit adultery. That even the fantasy is the same morally as the act. We all know how that one played out in modern life.

These are just 2 examples of the many strictures of the bible that people ignore today. SO don't let the haters through the bible in your face.

AS the saying goes "I cheated on my wife, I got divorced, but thank god I'm not gay"

Mark

[Americano]

Just an initial point! One cannot take God out of our everyday mind set. We want him there and He wants to be there. If He (God) changes His mind, then we can talk!
The point I wanted to make, openly gay in the military is different than being openly gay outside of the military. Take for example the civilian workplace, the civilian workplace, one spends 8 to 10 hours daily with all kinds of people and personalities. It is expected and everyone deals with it and are able to compartmentalize that experience. However, in the military, one lives and breaths 24/7 with comrades/brothers in war: fox holes, showers, sleeping bunking buddies, faith, mess hall, decor, privacy, etc.! I for one believe most people in the military would not want to bunk and shower with gay personnel present. This is a whole different sphere of acceptance of gays vs. in civilian life. An acceptance that goes to the core of our foundation of whom we are, our value systems, and who we want to be. For those reasons, "Openly gay will not work in the military because of these core value issues." If pushed by Obama, watch enlistment decline dramatically. I think both parties do not have the answers/discernment to mankind's ills. The only but here, the Republicans, under Dubya, were marching us and the world down a steep cliff toward eminent death!

[Lemastre]

I expect that when the military has sufficient need for cannon fodder, sexual orientation won't matter all that much, and a draft will be instituted that sweeps up all reasonably able bodies.

[Pragmatus]

Barack Obama needs to do what Harry Truman did in 1947. Under his authority as Commander-in-Chief, he declared that the Armed Forces of the United States would thenceforward be desegregated. End of discussion. At the time the vast majority of Americans were wholeheartedly in favor of maintaining segregation in the military. Good thing Truman didn't let that bother him; he decided instead to simply do what was right.

Getting rid of DADT would be a simple matter of issuing the order, and then declaring that the matter is closed, period; then let the right wingnuts go crazy on talk radio all they want. So what? Clinton's problem was that he listened to the criticism when he tried to end discrimination against gays, then began to waffle and vacillate. The majority of Americans favor deep-sixing DADT, so it would be an issue only to those people who increasingly don't matter in American politics. A year after the end of DADT nobody would even be talking about it.
.

[BardEric]

After Clinton's attempt to open up the military to gays using "executive order" congress was so pissed off at him they not only passed dont ask dont tell, they made it repealable ONLY by vote of congress..

[rwhiteside]

I totally agree, both about Obama and about Clinton back in the day. However, even though I'm gay myself, I hope Obama waits till the dust is settled on the larger issues like the economy, foreign affairs, going green, etc. before I goes near this one. Let's recall that part of the problem Clinton had, beyond his waffling, was, it was one of the very first things he did. Obama has bigger fish to fry first. If he has any success at all on the economy and going green, I have no doubt he will not only get rid of DADT, but will do something about civil unions to.

[Hawka]

Its not going to be easy, we'll have to work from the ground up on the matter because you know the GOP and just about every other homophoe amongst the Republican part and even many of our own vets will fight this every step of the way. With so many other things on the table, a dysfunctional economy, two wars, and trying to reverse so many other human rights violations I think we're going to have to give Obama a lot of space in order to work our way through this mess.

[georgiegirl]

I was told in basic training that their were 3 things that could get you kicked out of the military: wetting the bed, sleepwalking, and letting someone know you were gay, if indeed you were. This was in 1969 in the Air Force. I did sleepwalk, but every night when I crawled into the top bunk, I would tell myself not to sleepwalk, and I never have again.
It was not so easy for someone gay, people did not talk about it. I do remember my one First Sargent (who treated us the same in uniform as out) who was absolutely wonderful.....She was removed, demoted and never really heard what happened to her. She was replaced by a terrible woman who had some "definite issues".........
I guess I don't think Clinton did anything wrong with "don't ask, don't tell". A company cannot ask anyone if they are gay when they are hiring, so why should the military be able to ask?

[randyjet]

The FACT is that gays may serve in the US military under the current policy. It is only when they decide that their sexual activity is more important than their service that it causes them to be kicked out. As long as they keep it their personal business, they will have no problem. Thus no change is needed.

[sociocanuck]

I agree with you that the policy is on its way out under the current administration, but I think it might take a while to undo it given that the political climate still isn't as progressive as it needs to be to affect real positive change. Given some time (hopefully short, but we'll see) of seeing the positive effect of even mildly-progressive steps, I think, will allow further steps to be made on more prickly issues.

[tyrdofwaitin]

Thank you John for this thoughtful post: Yes it is just a matter of time. Obama has room for everybody under his tent!

[idkwhy]

the reason clinton suffered such a defeat was because he FAILED to enact the changes he promised even though he had a democratic congress. many of the democrats in congress were cowards and fooled into thinking they had to be diet republican by the media. and that's exactly why the media keeps calling america a center right nation even after they voted for the exact opposite.

the result of this failure on health care and gay rights caused democrats to lose faith in their own party and brought about the republican revolution of 1994. if obama and the even larger democratic majority of 2008 don't make good on their promised changes, i predict a HUGE republican comeback in 2010, with many democrats just sitting the election out.

this year's excuse will be "foundation building".

what will next year's be? "upcoming midterms".

enough excuses. we NEED action.

talk is cheap.

[Crozier]

I have read here several important posts, but this affects this retired JAG lieutenant colonel....gay and proud....who started his career when being gay was against psychiatric normalcy, civilian legal law, and of course, all religious bodies....to see in my day - psychiatric normalcy, civilian legal law to civil marriage, and gay-affirming Christian, Jewish and Islamic bodies.

Yes, there are still psychiatric quacks like Cameron and Dobson.....and DOMA thanks to Clinton. and BTW, thank you Clinton you spineless draft-dodging %^&*^% for DADT. We know that you counselled both Gore and Kerry and your wife to throw us under the bus - but Obama did not listen to you and listened to Ted Kennedy, our champion on both hideous laws.

[gaydm]

Thank you sir, and I salute you for your service to our country. I am an ex Navy enlisted gay service man. I joined the service just after the draft had been abolished and Vietnam war had ended. I was one of the first of the all volunteer military we have today.
I did 12 years, 6 ships, 2 shore stations, and did all that through the worst of the navy witch hunts for gays. We had no DADT, it was don't let me even guess you are gay. I saw many a friend tossed out on only rumor they were gay.

I still have nightmares about being tossed overboard on a dark night in the middle of the ocean and no body even reporting it. I wake up startled, and sweating thinking I am seeing my ship sailing on while people are laughing at me watching me drown, alone. I did my service, but it cost me greatly in my health and much more. I am better today, I take those days of pain and loneliness and try to move on in hope that I may help other people who are subject to harassment and hate.

[MikeTee]

talk is cheap. I agree!!! Just ask Newt Gingrich! I love to keep track of republican 'predictions'. The best I've seen is on the fox website: http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,240841,00.html

[BorKomorowski]

How do you intergrate open gays into military units ? Despite claims to the contrary, females in the sevices still have not proved reliable in the field--just more headaches for the commanders-by the way who wants to serve under an openly gay commander unless you are gay-- maybe all gay battalions ? but --that is descrimination--if it goes the way of congress, you will need more than big city congressional votes--but that course of action is better than forecing the issue by executive order-- for the Navy it works, given their traditions.-- For Marines and Army ,it will cause disorder in ranks. Bor Komorowski

[1dogs2]

Why don't you ask British or Israeli military folks how they did it?

[idkwhy]

the american military has shared facilities, even showers and bunks with openly gay british soldiers in iraq. your argument is absurd and fails on many levels.

[rdeanbnyc]

It is illogical to assume that all contact among gay people of the same sex is sexualized per se -- or among gay men and how they relate to straight men for that matter. Not only is it illogical to make this assumption, it is disrespectful. Gay men get used to this kind of reality in high school. It's not a big deal. Maybe if straight men who have a problem with the gay issue spent more non-sexualized time with women, or thought about women in non-sexualized ways more often, they'd understand. People can be professionals. And all the current arguments against letting gays serve openly point to one thing and one thing only: some people are irrationally afraid of something that they needn't be.

[Paulo1]

And exactly which Navy traditions are you referring to sir ? And is this a slam at the Navy saying their traditions are somehow homosexual. Or praise that they are somehow more inclusive and open minded? In which case one must ask if you were somehow calling the Marines or Army members ability to work with gay people into question. Is there something inherent about the Marine or Army member that makes them incapable of doing their duty in the mere presence of a gay person? Can they stand up to incoming enemy bullets but loose control if a gay person is present?

Perhaps a few Navy personnel could enlighten us ??

[Crozier]

Komorowski - that is pure bull&&^%. I am 62, and a Nam vet....as a butterbar.platoon officer for two tours...and went back for a law degree....went to JAG and retired light bird. Got it. My old man was a WWII and Korean war fighter pilot, and a mustang who went from E-1 to O-6...I was raised an Army Air Corps and USAFbrat... My old man was a flight commander and one of his WWII pilots was gay. There were two in his Korean war experience....and after that , there were several gay guys in his command - even hetero married guys. The old man worked on how you performed your AFSC and I followed suit....MOS ability- while serving scared to death.

Gay battalions like the n-expletive battalions of WWII, or the Tuskegee airmen....the best who lost none and died for guys who hated their guts. I know the feeling.

Komorowski - Polish-American, eh ? Well, where history teaches is that Russian Czarists thought you were Slavs and less than human....and the Nazis and Commies divided your ethnic homeland and destroyed it. In the early US, my ancestors....the original English colonists and first Americans.­...despise­d your ethnicity and your Roman Catholic faith. If you are not a neocon chickenhawk - or a homophobic vet.....I've got your number, buddy...you're no brother of mine.

[gaydm]

Do not forget in ancient Greece, there was the Sacred band of Thebes. This band was part of the army of Thebes. They consisted of 150 selected pairs of homosexual lovers. The rationale for this band was that they would fight with there lover s at their side fiercely, and to their death without fleeing. They had several great victories until finally being defeated by Alexander the great in battle. All 300 were killed after the rest of the Thebes army broke ranks and fled back to Thebes. The sacred band dies where they stood ground, taking with them many of Alexanders own forces. A statue of a lion stands today at the sight of the battle and burial sight where the sacred band died. King Phillip, upon encountering the bodies fallen one upon the other, and recognizing who thet were, exclaimed "Perish any man who suspects these men did or suffered anything unseemly."

[mikecarter]

The idiocy of DADT cannot be erased by Executive Order. For what seemed at the time to be positive motivations, Congress has to pass legislation to repeal any regulations affecting the issue.

[Paulo1]

Am I the only one who begins to smell a rat?

Give the poor little gays a bone, let them serve in the military (of course now that we all know they have always been there and now the 75% of the public agrees it is stupid not to admit the truth)

Oh and while we're at it notice all the nice little bigots now saying that they have nothing at all against civil unions. Poor little gay people, sad isn't it how they are all upset over loosing. Give them a bone. (and at the same time duck for cover so they don't get a chance to fight back)

Sorry the bar went higher than it was during Clinton. I prefer not to tell gay people to serve in a military that will not give their partner benefits if they die or are wounded. Civil Marriage is the new benchmark. stop talking about this has been issue. It is like number twenty or something on priorities and is not going to make us shut up if tossed at us like a consolation prize.

[Crozier]

That's right. No DOMA, DADT and then, civil marriage in states and a Federal Civil Partnership Act that says, regardless of what a state calls it Civil Marriage, which we will still fight for, we want all the 1400 federal protections under law that even an Ivy League lawyer like myself could not emulate in all details for my own family.

[mikecarter]

So let's drop the whole Separate but Equal mindset and get the State out of the marriage business. Let the State perform some form of civil ceremony resulting in a certificate of civil union. If the couple wants the blessing of a religion, they can go through a marriage ceremony in the faith of their choice. The system works elsewhere, and is about to become a necessity as the logical consequence of Prop 8. So why not get out ahead?

Oh, and while we're at it, a top-tier administrator at one of the nation's biggest VA Medical Center has said that removal of gays from his staff would necessitate "closing half this facility." None of this stuff is new, none of it ever made sense. I sat on the panel of too many courts-martial where the judge apologized to the defendant that long and faithful service was being cut short by something that was nobody else's business.

[memosyne]

An 86 year-old friend, gay, male, served in the United States infantry in World War II as a private and fought in the Battle of the Bulge and the Crossing of the Rhine. He was a "runner" which exposed him to a lot of danger. At 5 feet 4 inches tall and 124 pounds he dug fox holes, stacked up the bodies of dead buddies, and watched his commanding officer die. His sexual orientation caused no problems then and there won't be any problems now after "Don't Ask, Don't Tell" is gone.

[Crozier]

This man grew into adulthood when nothing said by science, medicine, religion, let alone the civil law or the UCMJ gave him nothing but a sense of loneliness and fighting self-hatred and self-loathing. How I HONOR his service. My dad's generation. My mother is 94 and he would be 92 had he lived beyond 69 years old.

Gratefully, he has lived to see the end of the DSM-III and the adoption of DSM-IV, the end of sodomy criminalization, and laws allowing civil marriage, unions and partnerships. I hope he lives to see the day when DOMA and DADT are repealed and our federal civil rights and marriage privileges....like Canada and many other civilized nations....become legal reality.

[Pearlswan]

Its the same argument the military used when it objected to women joining the regular army instead of the Women's Army Corp (WACs). I was a member of the first male-female platoon in January 1979. Good Morning America did a piece on our unit in basic training. What is the evidence that women have hurt military morale or weakened the military in any way after nearly 30 years among the ranks? We just had a female 4-star general named in the news last week. Is that evidence of the danger? The danger is for the women who are sexually assaulted and sexually harrassed by their fellow soldiers. Reports of those behaviors are alarming. There was a lot of resentment against the women who showed up to serve in the regular army back then. The men clearly did not want us there. That's why Obama says he will first implement education & training programs to enlighten the soldiers on the issues and behaviors that will be at hand. He must first protect the gays already serving who could become targets of projection for those who object to an open policy in the military. Its a process. In the end, all Americans will be welcome to serve their country as proud and respected citizens.

[Hadok]

What behaviors will be at hand about which soldiers must be enlightened?

[zepfan81]

It needs to wait for now. Just as when blacks and women were first allowed in there will be some scandals when this is overturned and the last thing our military needs right now is a scandal. What Obama can do is put a hold on any service persons that will be discharged.

[demgriz]

I think that if Obama is going have true success in convincing the public it is the right thing to do he must do it NOW. His rational could be(and should be) that we NEED those thousands of gays and lesbians in the armed forces because of national security. We can't afford to lose any more and spend so much time on a senseless policy while trying to fight an enemy. The dismissal of gay Arab linguists when we had a shortage of them is proof enough that this policy is NOT good for
America. If he waits he may lose this leverage of an argument and it may be looked at more as a social experiement instead of a needed call to arms.