The Importance Of Homosexuality In The Military

Submitted By littleboyrunning
Words: 562
Pages: 3

When someone is giving up their life to fight for this country, should they really be judged on their sexual orientation? Sergeant Leonard Matlovich a former air force soldier was not only judge but was discharged from the services for announcing he was gay. The United States is one of the last original NATO countries to still ban gays from the military. In 1993, President Clinton stated a determination to end discrimination against homosexuals in the military and reverse the exclusionary policy on homosexuals serving in the armed forces. Homosexuality has remained a focus of military concern despite society's increasing acceptance of homosexual men and women and evidence that homosexuals have served and currently serve in the U.S. armed forces.
Don’t ask don’t tell or DADT. DADT was issued by president Bill Clinton on December 21, 1993, which prohibited military personnel from discriminating against closeted homosexual or bisexual service members, while barring openly gay, lesbian, or bisexual persons from military service. The policy prohibited people who "demonstrate a propensity or intent to engage in homosexual acts" from serving in the armed forces of the United States, because their presence "would create an unacceptable risk to the high standards of morale, good order and discipline, and unit cohesion that are the essence of military capability"(U.S. Military pg. 1). This is basically stating that homosexuals naturally have mental disabilities and are incapable of carrying out their orders. Evidence has proven otherwise. In addition, President Clinton received negativity from his own administration after taking the position of a pro-gay military; "It sent precisely the wrong message,’ said a campaign advisors. ‘I'm not saying he shouldn't have taken that position. But as the first thing he did?” (Klein, p. 44-45). A large percentage of Americans were still strongly against homosexuality when the president said that gays should be equal. This brought great fear into the office and administration that they would lose followers and influence. The sexuality of a soldier can not determine the ability or