The news item this week is that Obama will do away with the Military's "Don't ask, don't tell" policy. This is a huge issue that I think is one of many examples of why I am not happy with the incoming administration.
My opinions aside, I will try my best to illustrate both the pros and cons of this policy, in an interesting, and hopefully entertaining way. What follows in this post, is a serious debate attempt on this issue. There is however a catch; I am going to play both sides, portraying the devil's advocate if you will.
A note: I am going to be exaggerating both sides, so be warned, for here, mania ensues...
-- DEBATE BEGINS --
-I think that the "Don't ask don't tell" policy is essential to good working order and discipline in the military. It protects Gay members from fear of harassment and the possibility of hate crimes--um let me just interrupt here, that is BS. Do women in the military face any harassment or suffer any more crime against them as a result of them simply being in the military. The answer is no. And the people who do harass and do commit crimes are punished appropriately.
-Ah yes but the problem is that in society there are clear lines dividing men and women. It is based mostly on a physical attribute, that being the male or female reproductive organs. We have separate bathrooms, we have separate clothing stores, accessories etc. The problem is that line becomes blurred when it is based on sexual attraction. I for one do not want to be in the shower with an openly gay man. It is uncomfortable. It would be the same as if a woman were to shower with a group of men or a man showering with a group of women. It isn't right.
-yes, but you said that the separation is based on physical, not the mental.
-I did, however, there are gays that roam around saying they are a man trapped in a woman's body or vice versa. I do not want that in my berthing. I am not homosexual, I do not want somebody else's sexual orientation forced on me.
-I see, so you discriminate against people, you probably voted for prop 8 too.
-Well yes, but that isn't the issue here.
-No the issue is a fundamental right as a human being, regardless of sex, or sexual orientation, to be regarded in society as equal to all, you don't get that in the military currently with this policy.
-Well, you see, you actually do. The brilliance of this policy is that you can be gay, you can live the gay lifestyle, however when in a professional capacity, you must refrain from being gay.
-So you're saying you must not be gay at work. Are you listening to yourself? How can you not be gay at work? It isn't like you are macking on your coworkers if you are straight. What is private and at home stays at home, rarely does it interact with the workplace, and if it does, there are rules against that for straight people. It's called fraternization.
-As I have said, the current policy doesn't discriminate. You can be gay, you just can't be gay at work.
-Oh please! Everybody knows who is Gay. Everybody knows who is doing who. The only thing that isn't told in the military is told in writing, on the records. Leadership is aware of who is openly gay, they choose to turn a blind eye, thus negating the reason for a silly policy that discriminates against people.
-OK I think we are just arguing for the sake of arguing now.
-maybe, and you ARE crazy Todhunter, but I think it is the new century, it is a new time. Obama has been elected and now is the time for CHANGE. It is time to do away with this archaic rule that really accomplishes nothing except to discriminate against homosexuals and make people like yourself feel better because you don't have to deal with gays.
-Maybe that is right. But then we get down to my fundamental beliefs on Homosexuality. And I think it is wrong. It is not what was intended when we were created and it is wrong. But that is just my opinion. I think that in the military you are forced to give up certain rights to protect everyone else's. Is it so much to ask, that if you are gay, keep it to yourself. That is the way it should be. The don't ask don't tell policy does not impede on your privacy. It doesn't impede on rights. Because in the military there are many rights that you don't have. Is it so much to ask that gays remain in the closet in a professional manner when enlisted in the service?
-- END OF DEBATE --
And there you have it, a lively debate between myself and myself. Being in the military, this may affect me, that is if Obama decides to tear down this policy. I honestly do not think there is anything wrong with the policy as is. I will admit it is a wishy-washy way to deal with a problem, but so what. Are gays really that impacted by this policy?
It is true that people do know who is gay and who isn't. They used to have little get togethers on the mess decks underway. Everybody knew. Hell, I even had a cake made for my birthday because the cook liked me. And to be honest, when I found out about that, I was incredibly uncomfortable. It grossed me out. But thankfully I didn't have to deal with him everyday, as I would have if I were working with an openly gay man.
My point comes down to this... I don't think it is right. And I do not want to be hit on, looked at, or even have a cake baked for me. Nor do I want to be in the head taking a shower and have a gay man present. I DO NOT WANT IT!
I was having a conversation with a gentleman at work about this issue. I expressed my discomfort at the possibility of rooming with a gay man, or sleeping in the rack below a gay man. And he told me "Tough! We're in a new world now. Get used to it." And what am I supposed to say to such a dogmatic over-idealized point of view? When people tell me it's their way or the highway, that is when intelligent debate stops and zealous passion overcomes.
And if that is what I have to look forward to in the next 4 years, God help me.
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