Repeal DADT

It seems clear by now that a growing number of people believe the military’s “don’t ask, don’t tell” policy in regards to sexual orientation denies people equal rights and should be abolished.

Under DADT, gay, lesbian and bisexual soldiers can serve in the military as long as they don’t reveal their sexual orientation. It bars openly gay, lesbian and bisexual people from service.

DADT, implemented in 1993, has been controversial since its inception. Some advocates saw it as a first step to full inclusion for gay, lesbian and bisexual people in the military while others thought the policy simply legalized institutional discrimination. In any event, 17 years later the policy seems ridiculously archaic and even psychologically abusive. Sexual orientation should not be a factor in determining whether someone can join the military.

The U.S. House of Representatives has passed a DADT repeal bill, but it’s been stalled in the Senate.

Oklahoma’s own U.S. Sen. Jim Inhofe’s extreme opposition to the issue is what repeal advocates face in trying to get the Senate to act. In September, according to one site, Inhofe said this at the Value Voters Summit about gays people serving in the military:

I do not have to tell you the problems that would happen if you have an open gay situation there that allows people to use the military as a forum for their liberal agenda . . . if you vote yes, you are voting for open gay activity in the military, and you are voting for abortions in our hospitals.

But Inhofe’s skewed views are not shared by a majority of the American people. Former Vermont governor Howard Dean recently sent out an email message from Democracy For America that talked about recent developments in trying to end the discrimination. Dean writes:

Earlier this year we seemed to be making progress. Defense Secretary Robert Gates and Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Admiral Mike Mullen testified before Congress in support of repealing the ban. Then in September, after repeal passed in the House of Representatives, Republicans in the Senate killed it. They saw this as a chance to play politics with the civil rights of American men and women just before the midterm election. It was disgusting.

This is not a tough one. In poll after poll -- two more released just last week -- a clear majority of Americans have said they think Don't Ask Don't Tell should be repealed. More than 70 percent of active duty and reserve troops have said that the effect of repealing the policy would be "positive, mixed or nonexistent".

The American people know repealing the ban is the right thing to do because requiring someone to lie about who they are, in order to serve their country goes against our values. As General Mullen said during his testimony before Congress, "allowing gays and lesbians to serve openly is the right thing to do. It is a matter of integrity."

Here’s a site that will help you contact Senators about repealing DADT.