Subscribe to Breaking NewsDuffy: Marching against the military ban
A 365gay reader asked: “It seems like everyone wants away with DADT but it is just a few blogs here and there. Where are the rallies, support and so forth?”
A while back I wrote a post on a what-if scenario: what if a majority of gay service members came out at the same time? Many of you – civilian and military alike – commented and shared your thoughts and hopes for the repeal of the Don’t Ask Don’t Tell law (DADT).
Recently, I was contacted by a reader who was inquiring on a different “what if?” scenario: What if the public started attending rallies and protests to show public support for the repeal of DADTas forcefully as do supporters of marriage equality and the hate crimes bill?
I emailed this reader and discussed my own experience dealing with the Human Rights Campaign at a gay pride festival. They were hell bent on getting me to donate my money for marriage equality – but when I asked about military issues and the repeal of DADT, the woman said, curtly, that they “weren’t worrying about that right now.”
I believe she could have used a little more tact in order to coax my funds from me, but I wonder how widespread that thought is. It seems that President Obama, Admiral Mullen, and the multitude of Congressmen and Congress women aren’t really worrying about that right now, either.
In an MSNBC article on May 24th, Admiral Mullen claimed the military will comply if the gay ban changes. Again there is that word IF that I hate so much. The Admiral also says that the military won’t even “start on a timeline until Congress acts.”
We have the military saying they want to take time to initiate the changes IF changes are to be made and that they will not even consider a basic timeline until Congress starts the ball rolling. So – IF the President is honest in his desire to have the law repealed wouldn’t it be a good idea to ask congress to act? The military could work on a timeline that begins months or years from now – I hope they don’t take that long – but it would at least be a start.
If we are only waiting on our politicians to give the military the go-ahead to take their time – what is the big deal? We should urge our public supporters to stand and rally for the rights of LGBT service members. The military knows the repeal is coming. Let’s at least encourage our elected leaders give the military the go-ahead to start planning for it.
Perhaps now would be a good time to support the troops actively and fight for them as they fight for us.
Michael Duffy is the pseudonym of an American soldier serving in Iraq.
I refuse to give respect to any organization or offer my support as long as they continue to discriminate based on sexual orientation. As soon as don’t ask don’t tell is lifted and openly gay individuals are allowed into the ranks I will NOT support our troops nor will I take pride in being an “american”. Come to think of it, nobody should take pride in being from any country because we all live on the same planetary body and due to human ignorance have allowed ourselves to be divided.
It is essential that LGBT people be permitted to make a full contribution of service in the Armed Forces, not because it is a right (It is not.), but because it is a responsibility of citizenship. I suspect that many in the religious and social conservative right want to deny LGBT that responsibility because it makes it so much easier for them to back up their lie that we do not deserve equal rights. The United States must join its allies in Canada and United Kingdom and remove the laws that make it essential for LGBT servicewomen and men to lie about who they are.
Gay, Lesbian, and Bisexual service members joined the armed services for a reason, and I highly doubt that reason was that they expected to enter a warm and welcoming environment in which they could serve alongside others whom they could be at ease around without the worry of being themselves. Asking those who joined the armed forces willingly, fully aware of the expected behavior, to come out and willingly be dishonorably discharged is idiotic.
Should DADT be repealed? Yes, it is an antique that isn’t worth keeping, but the idea that even a small amount of service men and women would come out and willingly lose their positions for a method of repealing it with no guarantee is unrealistic. The armed forces seem ready if not willing to take on the change, there simply needs to be some sort of motivation of congress to start the process, but I don’t believe that would be an effective course of action.
Calum, there has been gay marriage in history? I know you can’t hear my tone of voice, so please know I am not being sarcastic. I was unaware, but I’m extremely intrigued. I knew some of the Native American tribes had it. But was it in American history? I’m even curious as to it’s history worldwide 100 years back and further. Anyone else who knows, please chime in.
@Aiden – oh yes, tradition is something we should stand on….slavery was tradional too…so should we stand by that.
The whole problem with this article and other blogs is that we don’t have to focus on just one issue. We shouldn’t just be marching for any singular issue – we should be marching and demaning our CIVIL RIGHTS, our equality on all fronts.
Just a couple of reasons I can think of. The military has treated us like garbage for a LONG time. Not that many gay people feel strongly enough that they should fight for something they are not interested in.
As for marching for marriage I think this has a wider appeal but I hear too many gay people say they would not do it even if they had the option.
In other words there is, in my opinion, not a consensus on either of these.
I am guessing here but I would think that non discrimination and other important things are on gay peoples agenda. I am not saying that DADT and Gay marriage is not important it is that there are a lot more people have different ideas on these subjects.
Im currently active duty and i will be marching at pride this coming sunday In WeHo CA… how do i get involved with LT choi??
The March on Washington should focus on Obama’s broken promises. Like repealing DADT and DOMA. As long as DOMA is in place it makes it harder to do anything at the state level. If Prop 8 fight goes to the Supreme court, their argument to reject will use DOMA as the basis.
My spouse and I (together for 34 years; legally married for nearly 5 years) are keenly aware of the tremendous contributions which Gays and Lesbians have made to this country’s military.
Gay and Straight soldiers, who made the ultimate sacrifice for their country, lie together, without prejudice, in Arlington National Cemetery.
How is that for “unit cohesion”?
My partner was in the Air Force during the Vietnam Conflict. I find it contemptible and dishonorable that anyone (military or non-military) could ever question his worth, or the worth of any person, Gay or Straight, Black or White, Male or Female, as human beings and insult their competence solely based on blind, unreasoning prejudices.
Shame on all bigots. They are cowards who fed like parasites on the ignorance and fears of others.
(C) Bud Evans, 2009
http://rainfish2000.blogspot.com
someone please correct me if i am wrong but i seem to remember a note on this site a few months ago that someone in the House had started legislation to end DADT but i don’t know how to confirm that help anyone? And as a retired Navy man I remember the fear of being found out everytime i had any kind of relationship or just relaxed and forgot to keep up the public “face”. i can not imagine the stress of doing that and facing live combat at the same time. I salute those men and women who are seving today.