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The End of a Mistake
14 years ago
General
We pen our fate to the parchment of time...
Today, September 20th, 2011 the end of Don't Ask Don't Tell ended for the United States Military. What does that mean for the nation? We're a little bit more progressive and a little more tolerant. Men and women who want to put their lives on the line to defend the country no longer have to fear being dishonorably discharged merely because of who they choose to love.
Does this mean the military will be waving the rainbow flag anytime soon? Probably not. Just because policy has changed doesn't mean the mentality of a lot of old commanders has changed. Progress takes time regardless of any political or governmental policy put in place. It is a clear indication that the youth of today are far more tolerant of homosexuality when compared to their parents (in a very generalized sense). The old guard will have to be slowly rotated out and that takes time.
I just felt like making a journal (I don't make many of them) was important for this event. I love American history and I am a gay man living in the United States. I have, currently, several friends who are gay and serve in several branches of the military, and I felt like recording my own personal feelings about the event. I'm just happy a mistake has been corrected and that a lot of soldiers can stop worrying about something they shouldn't have to worry about if they choose to defend this country.
In that note, a video! This was posted today and I wanted to share it. It's about a gay soldier serving in Germany who comes out to his family in Alabama about being gay (On today, with the end of DADT), and he gets nothing but love and support. Its a wonderful indication that times are changing. The soldier also shows his face for the first time online (He had been tweeting and making posts about being gay in the military but never showed his face).
Anyway, here's a link to the video: http://www.youtube.com/user/AreYouSuprised
Does this mean the military will be waving the rainbow flag anytime soon? Probably not. Just because policy has changed doesn't mean the mentality of a lot of old commanders has changed. Progress takes time regardless of any political or governmental policy put in place. It is a clear indication that the youth of today are far more tolerant of homosexuality when compared to their parents (in a very generalized sense). The old guard will have to be slowly rotated out and that takes time.
I just felt like making a journal (I don't make many of them) was important for this event. I love American history and I am a gay man living in the United States. I have, currently, several friends who are gay and serve in several branches of the military, and I felt like recording my own personal feelings about the event. I'm just happy a mistake has been corrected and that a lot of soldiers can stop worrying about something they shouldn't have to worry about if they choose to defend this country.
In that note, a video! This was posted today and I wanted to share it. It's about a gay soldier serving in Germany who comes out to his family in Alabama about being gay (On today, with the end of DADT), and he gets nothing but love and support. Its a wonderful indication that times are changing. The soldier also shows his face for the first time online (He had been tweeting and making posts about being gay in the military but never showed his face).
Anyway, here's a link to the video: http://www.youtube.com/user/AreYouSuprised
Let's hope the men and women out there will just go on being the heroes they always have been.
Let's hope some straight soldiers will get over their insecurities and just take the goddamn shower.
Let's hope no one decides to make a fool of themselves with their newfound "freedom."
And how about more combat positions for women anyway?
I think the military is a stronger institution at the end of all of this.
It's still going to be about 10-20 years before it's totally accepted, by which time we'll probably have some new thing to discriminate about.
It's why I'm not coming out to my unit any time soon.
And yea, it is a good step forward for gay rights and equality, but still, like any other plan it isnt perfect, and will take time for people to be fully excepting (to an extent)
But im hopefull ^.^
That video gives me hope that one day I'll be able to come out to my family. But...I'm still too scared to do that right now. :(
Sure its going to be nothing but BS for the next few years, but in 10-20 years time people will have accepted it to the point where no one even thinks twice about it I feel. And that is where we will have really made a difference from a culture standpoint on how open minded we are towards topics such as homosexuality. At least, I hope so.
One of the questions was "Are you or have you a or ever engaged in Homosexual activited"
I lied of course because the military considered being Gay was a security risk. What was it a security risk.. Well you could be blackmailed into giving secrets to hide you homosexualit. Which is really a circular arguement because if you are open about your sexuality then what is there to blackmail you with???
I am so glad this has been repealed. In every army and field of conflict there have been gay men and women who have performed their duties alongside of their straight comrades. Sometimes they were known by their fellows, othertime they were silent.
Take Care
Marc
I've just joined the Air Force and was just wondering when this was going to happen.
Might make it easier to hook up with dudes now!