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Generals: Let gays serve openly in the military
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This week, 104 retired generals and admirals issued a joint statement calling for the repeal of the U.S. Military's "Don't Ask, Don't Tell" policy.
In their statement, the officers wrote:
“As is the case with Great Britain, Israel, and other nations that allow gays and lesbians to serve openly, our service members are professionals who are able to work together effectively despite differences in race, gender, religion, and sexuality.”
Existing policy was a Clinton-era compromise
According to the statement, there are an estimated 65,000 homosexual soldiers in active service, with 1 million gay and lesbian veterans. The Servicemembers Legal Defense Network stated that in the past thirteen years more than 12,000 gay servicemembers have been discharged because of violating the “Don’t ask, Don’t tell” policy.
This is not the first year that military leaders have challenged existing policy. Last year, 28 generals and admirals issued a similar statement.
In light of the recent approval of gay marriage in Connecticut, the Supreme Court tackling the debate over California’s Proposition 8, a landslide Democratic victory and a voter smackdown of the far-right’s plotted political course, it is clear that the culture war – far from dead – is about to heat up like never before.
If the election of a progressive, non-white President can be considered the first victory in that war, then get ready for Round Two.
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