So I know this is a day out of date, but I thought it was well worth posting a celebratory blog post to mark the ending of the US military's "don't ask don't tell" policy, which forbade gay or bisexual US soldiers from revealing their sexual orientation, on pain of dismissal.
Don't ask don't tell (DADT) was introduced by Bill Clinton as a replacement of the previous policy, where gays were forbidden from serving in the army, and commanders had the power to question soldiers on their sexuality. It was seen as a compromise, as LGBTers could then join the army provided they stayed in the closet. But it was still a discriminatory measure against gay people, and just a downright silly policy to have.
Being sexually attracted to members of your own gender does not have any affect on your ability to handle a gun or drive a tank. It does not make you any less loyal to your country. It does not make you any less of a soldier. Now, finally, the US Government and the Pentagon have recognised that.
What is also perversely encouraging is the desperate lengths antigays are having to go to condemn this measure. Take this guy, for instance. Yeeesh.
I've said it (or something similar) before; the more ridiculous the right-wingers sound when speaking against gay rights, the further we know the gay rights movement has advanced.
Here's to many more progay advances in the future.
Don't ask don't tell (DADT) was introduced by Bill Clinton as a replacement of the previous policy, where gays were forbidden from serving in the army, and commanders had the power to question soldiers on their sexuality. It was seen as a compromise, as LGBTers could then join the army provided they stayed in the closet. But it was still a discriminatory measure against gay people, and just a downright silly policy to have.
Being sexually attracted to members of your own gender does not have any affect on your ability to handle a gun or drive a tank. It does not make you any less loyal to your country. It does not make you any less of a soldier. Now, finally, the US Government and the Pentagon have recognised that.
What is also perversely encouraging is the desperate lengths antigays are having to go to condemn this measure. Take this guy, for instance. Yeeesh.
I've said it (or something similar) before; the more ridiculous the right-wingers sound when speaking against gay rights, the further we know the gay rights movement has advanced.
Here's to many more progay advances in the future.
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