Honoring All Who Serve

Memorial Day is a time for all Americans to reflect on the sacrifices made by our military, and to honor those who serve. Unfortunately, not all who step forward are treated the same. LGBT individuals join the military and make the same sacrifices as everyone else, but they are bound by law to remain in the closet while their hetero counterparts have no such restrictions. They are allowed to discuss their spouses/partners, bring them to social functions with co-workers, and have their families receive military benefits. When a person steps forward to dedicate their lives to protecting our country, their sexual orientation should not be a factor, and they should be entitled to the same benefits and recognition as their hetero counterparts.

Unfortunately, the Obama Administration is taking its time changing the law. While the Administration purports valid military and political reasons for taking its time changing the law, it is not right and delays too often turn into outright refusals to act.

"President Barack Obama's top military adviser said Sunday the Pentagon has enough challenges — including two wars — without rushing to overturn a decade-old policy that bans gays and lesbians from serving openly in the military and incites political and social factions on both sides.

Adm. Michael Mullen, chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, said he is working on an assessment of what — if any — impact overturning "don't ask, don't tell" policies would mean for the military and its culture. In the meantime, the Pentagon plans to follow the existing rules, which say gays and lesbians can serve in the military if they do not disclose their sexuality or engage in homosexual behavior.

"The president has made his strategic intent very clear, that it's his intent at some point in time to ask Congress to change this law," Mullen said. "I think it's important to also know that this is the law, this isn't a policy. And for the rules to change, a law has to be changed." (AP News)

What we need to acknowledge is that the military does not change easily, but when forced to change it has always risen to the ocassion without risking national security. The integration of blacks and women had the same objections raised, and the only problems that popped up came from bigots. It seems time and again that the people who raise potential problems of integration and open service are the source of the problems. By keeping the law in place we are honoring bigots and bigotry. By getting rid of "don't ask, don't tell," we are honoring the military personnel who stand for the tolerance our country is supposed to be founded on.

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