Don't Ask, Don't Tell, Homosexuals in the Military Options

[Simba]

Openly gay people are banned from the military. However, you can be "in the closet" and still serve, as long as you don't reveal your sexual orientation. The "Don't Ask, Don't Tell" policy is often mentioned in these sort of debates.

If a soldier's homosexuality does happen to be revealed, however, they are to immediately be discharged.

There have been some unfair discharges, however. In one case, one homosexual soldier was harassed with e-mails, and eventually, this anonymous person e-mailed the whole battalion, warning them that there was a homosexual soldier among them. His homosexuality was eventually revealed, and was immediately discharged. His roll in the military was an Arabic translator, which are extremely helpful to have, and not very easy to find.

People supporting the discharging of homosexuals testify that they cannot allow such immoral behaviour within the military. They also say that it is detrimental to the military to have such "unique" individuals (where the goal is to have cohesive groups of soldiers that are preferably as closely alike as possible).

Discuss, please.

[Ington]

This is not a bible matter, nor an issue of morality. The entire don't ask don't tell policy makes perfect sense.

Some people are not comfortable changing, showering, sleeping, and living with homosexuals. If a person is openly gay, not only would he make others uncomfortable, but he would call for unwanted attention to himself. What good would that do for anyone?

Homosexuality itself should not be an issue in the military, but the discussion of it or confession of it should be controlled.

Its the military, not your mother's house. Life is not fair, and the military isn't there to make you feel good about yourself. If a soldier feels proud enough to absolutely have to display his sexuality to other soldiers despite the obvious fact that it makes some uncomfortable, he should be responsible for its circumstances. If you want to serve your country, serve it. Confessing yourself has nothing to do with serving, and if it lowers productivity, it should be avoided for the sake of serving peacefully.

Nah, I agree with you completely. It's the same with women. You're not supposed to be going around seducing other men (or women, for that matter).

But do women sleep, shower, and so on with men? They have their own quarters. Gay's don't, they stay with the rest of the men at all times. Besides, its not the homosexual's who'd have the problems, it would be the straight men who'd feel uncomfortable soaping their ass around someone who could be potentially attracted to them.

[cori-catastrophe]

This is not a bible matter, nor an issue of morality. The entire don't ask don't tell policy makes perfect sense.

Some people are not comfortable changing, showering, sleeping, and living with homosexuals. If a person is openly gay, not only would he make others uncomfortable, but he would call for unwanted attention to himself. What good would that do for anyone?

Homosexuality itself should not be an issue in the military, but the discussion of it or confession of it should be controlled.

Its the military, not your mother's house. Life is not fair, and the military isn't there to make you feel good about yourself. If a soldier feels proud enough to absolutely have to display his sexuality to other soldiers despite the obvious fact that it makes some uncomfortable, he should be responsible for its circumstances. If you want to serve your country, serve it. Confessing yourself has nothing to do with serving, and if it lowers productivity, it should be avoided for the sake of serving peacefully.

But do women sleep, shower, and so on with men? They have their own quarters. Gay's don't, they stay with the rest of the men at all times. Besides, its not the homosexual's who'd have the problems, it would be the straight men who'd feel uncomfortable soaping their ass around someone who could be potentially attracted to them.

who's to say that the gay men are comfortable with the straight men? it's just pure discrimination against individuality.

[Ington]

who's to say that the gay men are comfortable with the straight men? it's just pure discrimination against individuality.

It wouldn't matter, because the entire 'he can potentially be thinking about me naked' scenario doesn't apply to a homosexual about a heterosexual.

Straight men may be uncomfortable living with people who openly show that they can be attracted to them. A homosexual man may be uncomfortable with the harsh treatment he may experience, but that would be his own fault for displaying his sexuality publicly.

This is not a matter of right and wrong. This is a matter of the lesser evil for everyone. Its that senseless pride in displaying individuality that causes problems, and the military is not a place for it.

[XRosesXAreXBlack...]

This is not a matter of right and wrong. This is a matter of the lesser evil for everyone. Its that senseless pride in displaying individuality that causes problems, and the military is not a place for it.

What do you mean "lesser evil" and "senseless pride"?
Just because someone is openly gay, that doesn't mean they shouldn't be allowed to serve their country.
And why is the army allowed to discriminate like that anyway?It's bull.