Thursday, Dec. 23, 2010

Do ask, do tell

I was 17 years old when the military policy known as "Don't Ask, Don't Tell" was signed into law, just eight months before entering my senior year in high school. It was Christmas time, but I was busy worried about graduation and the future, not gifts. That time in your life is one when many young men, and some young women, are thinking about military service. I only make the gender distinction because of the Selective Service System in which all males between the ages of 18 and 25 are required by law to be registered, in case the draft is ever reinstated. This automatically makes military service a reality to young men, even those not interested in serving.

I remember those days very well. I was looking at all of my post-high school options, which included the military and possibly enrollment at the United States Military Academy at West Point. My mom wasn't too happy when she saw that package in the mail that Christmas. I ended up following the route of non-military collegiate education, but I often wonder how my life would have been different if I'd chosen the path of a soldier.

Fast forward to the 2008 Presidential Election, where "Don't Ask, Don't Tell" took the forefront for LGBT issues in debate. Same-sex marriage was there. Gay adoption in Florida was tossed around and hate crimes became a household topic. Above it all though, an end to the discriminatory "Don't Ask, Don't Tell" policy, which I'll refer to as DADT hereafter, seemed not only politically energized, but plausible.

The country then elected its first African-American president, the result of a previously fought civil rights movement that reshaped the U.S. forever. He promised to eliminate this discriminatory and out-dated policy that was responsible for the discharge of more than 12,500 qualified soldiers who just happened to be gay or lesbian, according to the Servicemember's Legal Defense Network.

During the last two years, we've seen the battle for the repeal of DADT take many hits, gain a little ground here and there only to be knocked down again. Finally this past weekend, just three days short of its 17^th anniversary, the Senate voted to repeal the ban against openly gay and lesbian military personnel following the measure's approval by the House of Representatives last week.

The House approved the bill with a vote of 250-175. Here's how South Carolina Reps voted: Rep. James Clyburn, D-S.C. voted for the bill, while Rep. Henry Brown, R-S.C. opposed it. In case you're wondering, but not really surprised both of South Carolina's U.S. senators, Jim DeMint and Lindsey Graham voted against the repeal. Graham in a statement Saturday said, "I am very disappointed such a major policy change was jammed through the lame-duck Congress without the ability to offer one single amendment. This is truly not the way to make such a major change to U.S. military policy." I'm curious to say the least as to what amendments Sen. Graham would have proposed. "Our nation continues to be involved in two armed conflicts which have taken a heavy toll on our military. To ask our armed forces and their families to absorb these changes in the middle of the two major conflicts is both unfair and unwise," he continued.

The Pentagon's report on DADT, the result of a nine month study, said that repealing the law would present "a low risk to military effectiveness." It found that 70 percent of service members believe that the impact of repealing the law would be positive, mixed or no consequence at all. In addition, a November CNN Opinion Research Poll found that 72 percent of the U.S. public is in favor of permitting people who are openly gay or lesbian to serve in the military and the results were across party lines. And 64 percent of those in favor were identified as Republicans and 62 percent identified as conservative. The South had the lowest percentage in favor at 63 percent. Finally, five of our major allies already allow openly gay and lesbian soldiers to fight alongside our own soldiers.

The On Wednesday, President Obama signed the Don't Ask Don't Tell Repeal Act of 2010 in a ceremony at the Department of the Interior, making it official. Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid, D-Nev., said it was "one of those moments in history when we stepped up and squared our policies with the values this nation was founded." Obama stated that "by ending 'Don't Ask, Don't Tell,' no longer will our nation be denied the service of thousands of patriotic Americans forced to leave the military, despite years of exemplary performance, because they happen to be gay. And no longer will many thousands more be asked to live a lie in order to serve the country they love."

So what happens now? The President, the Secretary of Defense and the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff must sign a letter certifying that the changes would not affect military readiness. Full repeal would then take effect 60 days following that approval so we're still months away from seeing the full repeal. Servicemember's Legal Defense Network has posted a legal warning to soldiers telling people to make sure that they do not come out of the closet just yet. Gay and lesbian military personnel can still be discharged under the policy until its full repeal or a court says that its enforcement must cease.

I don't regret the path my life has taken since that day in 1993. I'm happy with the choices I made and have found much success in my life, but I wonder now if I was 17-years-old again, would I be looking over military options this Christmas season, hoping my "Ultimate Basic Training Guidebook" would be wrapped neatly under the tree?

All of those in the military must have one thing in common - honor. Without truth, you can't have honor. I truly hope that any 17-year-old out there today who wants to serve and wants to do so proudly and honorably will now see that he or she can and that our government has finally, yes finally, made the steps toward non-discrimination in our military and country a reality - now that's a Christmas wish come true.

OUT & ABOUT

Saturday, Dec. 25 - Of course, it's Christmas Day, but after you've enjoyed some hefty holiday meals and unwrapped all of your presents head out to Masquerade and Sneakers Bar & Grill, at 819 Main Street in downtown Myrtle Beach, for a Holiday Benefit (drag) Show for Red Ribbon Friends. The upstairs/downstairs duo of local nightlife will host the newly crowned Miss Time Out! 2011 Kelly Brooks, along with Taylor Monroe Stephens, Janessa Brooks and Jayla Lynn Stephens. For more information, call 712-1709.

Have a thought, comment or Out & About event? Send Chris Rudisill an e-mail to SouthernGayWriter@gmail.com. You can also follow along on Facebook.com@SouthernGayWriter for more news and events.