'Don't Ask, Don't Tell' Debate Rages On in Congress

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That fact that people even need to think about letting openly homosexual people serve! no one should have to even think about it, it should be allowed. its so sad to see that they cant even serve our country for their life choices. who the heck are we to say "no you can serve" because of who you love. i think thats awful. to deny someone their RIGHTS because of it is awful. we should all be ashamed of ourselves for this. they should be allowed to do the exact same things that heterosexuals can. its not like straight people can serve any better then a homosexual. but at the same time, i wouldnt serve for a country who denies them their rights to get married and receive benefits from their partner. there needs to be more accepting people in this world. its not ok to shun someone out of something because of the way other people might feel, how do you think homosexuals feel, did anyone think about that? i didnt think so.

Kayla of CA 11:34PM November 07, 2010

well i was in the army, and i honestly was never taunted or hated on and i was and am openly lesbian. though because i was open about being a lesbian and a soldier i was discharged, fully honorably for being so.i was a good soldier and didnt even come close to doing some of the idiotic things that other soldiers straight or gay did and to me i want back in but cannot because i am a lesbian and there is a code on my discharge papers that states a number 4 making it impossible for a recruiter to even try to get me back in. i know this because i tried...so if they do take away this ban, are those who were discharged for being so allowed back in and if i am i want to be treated the same as those who are heterosexually married, my partner deserves to recieve health insurance and housing while im overseas, my life is being risked the same as any other soldier. there are many many different things that need to be discussed before they figure out what they will do. but just so everyone out there who hasnt served knows, there are tons and tons of lesbians bi's and gays in the military already and for the most part i have never experienced or heard of another homosexual soldier getting taunted or feeling like they dont belong by there company or platoon. so for those that our currently serving congress needs to hurry up and benefit these soldiers for serving their country our country. our families matter the same and our lives are equal to others, no matter the sexual orientation.

cwinckler of AZ 3:19PM August 16, 2010

This argument is not about gays being in the military its about how straight people would feel with gays in the military. If OPEN! gays in the military can cause a threat to unit cohesion I dont feel like it is worth risking the lives of our good men and women over. If there are gay people who want to fight for this country great! but fight because u want to protect this country and dont bring sexual orientation into the military.

ryan of CA 2:18PM August 02, 2010

I dont believe a man can do a better job than a women just like i dont believe a gay person can do a better job at something than a straight person.
Its not just about their ability to do their job or not.. Its about the comfort of everyone else around them. Not just a comfort thing.. In the military its not allowed for a man and a women to shower together for certain reasons.. rape.. or them being attracted to each other and then taking things where they shouldnt go..
How do we stop that from happening when we segregate the homosexuals from straight people.. or do you suggest we dont segregate at all and leave the openly gay people to be taunted by the homophobic people. Banning the Dont Ask Dont Tell policy opens a whole new can of worms that i dont think the military is ready for right now..

Ashley of CA 1:18PM May 14, 2010

i think those who agree with the dont ask dont tell policy have insecurities that they need to work on. who is say that a gay man or a lesbian cant do the same job as a straight person. how is it when in that uniform racist people have to deal with other races when they may not want to but yet a straight person cant work with a gay person. how hyprocritical is that? i mean in my opinion if they are brave enough to sign their life to their country and defend and protect all the ones who dont, then how can someone be so selfish to say that they dont want a gay person to do so. and if its cause your scared that a gay guy or a lesbian may look at you...your full of yourself. its not like that. just because they are gay dont mean they want you. maybe your lacking in some self esteem and it makes you feel better to think that...or maybe like i said its just insecurities. all im sayin is when they have that uniform on how can you tell you the difference. what if it was you or your child that was told you cant be gay and in the military? how would you feel then?

no name..... of IN 4:49PM April 21, 2010

rweeeeeeee

rew of CO 3:11PM April 21, 2010

I do not believe a persons sexual orientation affects there ability to do there job.
Ive been reading some of the comments, most of them from ex officers, officers in the Navy have have private quarters or they share a room with at most 4 other officers making privacy easier to accomplish. I was an enlisted man there were 112 guys in my berthing alone. privacy was not an option, unless u were getting off work at three in the morning u were showering with at least two other guys. The showers were individual showers, but the curtains were c threw.
I think gays should be able to serve, but how do u solve the issue of privacy. Do you give gays there own sleeping and showering quarters. Then if you do that do you run into lawsuits of discrimination. Or do you make open quarters for everyone men and women sleeping, showering together, I think not. So how do we address that simple issue.
I do have real life experience with other counties open policy. I spent a year in Iraq with the North Dakota National Guard. Next door were a company of soldiers for Georgia. They have an openly gay policy. It is a very uncomfortable feeling when you have to guys having sex in the shower next to you. There are already stick rules in the military regarding sex. These rules are broke all the time.
With all respect to Confused doom and gloom does happen, while I was in A school a Marine was taking some medication for some med problem. He would go to the doc and tell him his privates hurt and he was bleeding. After a couple of times they put a camera up in his room it turns out his battle buddy was raping him. So yes it does happen.

ied_hunter of ND 5:07PM March 18, 2010

To Rhonda of TX,
Are all straight people as full of themselves as you are to assume every gay person will be attracted to you and if so, will be unable to control him/herself in your presence? There will be no need for additional shower rooms, facilities or anything else. Just so you know, gays have been showering with straights for decades in the military, in sports locker rooms, and everywhere else. I've not heard countless stories of military gay rape occuring in shower rooms, but if they exist, perhaps you could enlighten the rest of us. If it ever did exist, it should be dealt with as any other offense.
And just so you know, MILLIONS have already been spent on gay witch hunts investigating (many times) false accusations of how soldiers spend their free time in their personal lives. If you're so worried about the true cost of everything, why don't you put some of your own time and money investigating how many gay people have served and died for centuries defending your country and your rights. It's people like you who said the same thing about African Americans until 1954.

Ryan of KY 11:28AM March 17, 2010

Watch this video and pass on to get the message out! McCain get out of the way and repeal DADT!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9MNvTCJB8V4

William of NY 11:55AM March 14, 2010

I don't understand those who are against this repeal. For those of you who are not aware, gay people ARE already serving in the military. Thats where the "Don't Ask" part comes in. Because they use to ask and now they don't. Get it???? So all your paranoid doom and gloom scenarios of the showers and all that other garbage doesn't matter because gays are ALREADY there. All they are asking for is to not be kicked of of the military that they have devoted their lives to so they can risk their lives to defend our country and our freedom, including those of you who bitch and moan. Way to show your respect and Patriotism.

Curt of NY 4:07PM March 11, 2010