The Repeal of “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell”
Today, Sept. 20, 2011, certification for the repeal of the 18-year-old policy known as “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell,” which forbids gay, lesbian, and bisexual service members from openly serving in the military, is finalized.
Over the course of 18 years, 14,500 service members have been discharged from the armed forces under the provisions of “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell.” Primary defense against repeal of the policy was held in the belief that military readiness, cohesion, and morale would be negatively influenced by allowing openly gay military personnel to serve alongside their straight counterparts. In response to this theory, multiple tests and surveys were conducted to measure its accuracy. An overwhelming 92 percent of service members claimed that allowing openly gay personnel to serve in the military had no effect on morale or performance. Forget arguing a majority, that’s nearly the entire military stating they don’t have an opinion one way or the other regarding the sexual orientation of their fellow service men or women.
Back in 1993 when President Clinton originally passed this law, it was a milestone, so to speak. Clinton had made the agenda of the LGBT community a priority, but found supporting their fight for rights and freedom substantially more difficult than he expected. It’s tough to be gay, there’s no doubt about that. “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell” was seen as a progressive compromise at the time, allowing for gays, lesbians and bisexuals to enlist in the armed forces, just under the condition that they keep their sexuality discreet.
Under the policy, gay service members were forced to pretend to be people they were not, be subjected to unnecessary, modern day “witch hunts,” and hide their home life, or personal life, from those around them. There was no safe space for any of them, and for some, it was just too much. All in the name of defending a country that didn’t seem to care for them in the first place. Thousands were outed by peers, discovered through emails and letters, and other came out willingly knowing the policy was wrong. The mental effects of living two completely separate lives are immeasurable, and for some, I’m sure they are everlasting. However, gays have been serving since the beginning of time, only in our day and age when homosexuality is less of a social taboo and more accepted by society, there is nothing to warrant such blunt homophobia, especially in such a well respected institution such as the United States Military.
What’s more outrageous, to me anyways, is the extent at which people would go to in order to keep gays out of the military. Investigations were mounted against individuals to discover the true nature of their sexual orientation. Investigations? Who, honestly, is so concerned with being in the same line of work with a gay person that they want to literally search their background and current affairs and deliberately out them knowing it will result in their discharge. More importantly, why on Earth would the military, an institution allegedly established to protect the freedoms of citizens, openly support such behavior? How was that obviously not perceived as wrong? What I also find confusing is that the policy itself seemed to transform over time. The original policy stopped the military from being able to inquire about the sexual orientation of enlisted service members if those who happened to be gay simple kept it under wraps. Why were men and women discharged under the “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell” policy if they never actually admitted to being gay?
Randy Phillips, the headless torso known for his YouTube channel “AreYouSurprised,” calls his father in Alabama while stationed in Germany to tell him he’s gay on the morning of DADT Repeal Day, Sept. 20, 2011.
So, here we are, September 20, 2011. The reign of “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell” is finally being brought to an end. This is a huge step forward, but when looking at the big picture, there is still much work to be done. Much like racism, homophobia and discrimination against LGBT people will never truly die. There is still adversity to face and obstacles to overcome. Some will succeed, some will fail, some will lead, and some will, unfortunately, die. It’s a cause that grows support with only one direction to move: forward.
All facts, statistics, and supporting information was taken from the DADT page on the Servicemembers Legal Defense Network at www.sldn.org.
The Day That Changed America: The Tenth Anniversary
The other day when I was reading through my Twitter feed, and I saw a tweet from the Washington Post with a link to a trailer for a documentary film. The film is titled “Rebirth,” and follows the lives of five individuals as they attempt to repair themselves from the damages caused from the devastating events of September 11, 2001.
From the trailer alone I was brought to tears, and I anticipate that when I see the entire film in August that I will be overwhelmed and emotionally comprised from start to finish.
Earlier this year, the news of Osama bin Laden’s death spread like wildfire across the world, and I briefly captured the event in a previous blog. For reasons that I can’t explain, it wasn’t the death of bin Laden that sparked my memory that the nation is approaching the tenth anniversary of the attacks; this trailer, and the faces of these complete strangers, reminded me of that fateful day, and how it has been a decade since that first plane struck the North Tower. It’s been quite sometime since I’ve seen the face of an ordinary citizen attached to the pain and horror that day produced, and I was quickly reminded that I’ve spent half of my life with the shadows of that dark day cast over.
The scars I was left with pale in comparison to these five brave individuals featured in Rebirth. The trailer gives a preview into the timeline of the movie, showing the progress each person makes as time passes. Many, in the beginning, protest anger, uncertainty and regret, but as the time pases in both life and the film, both Ground Zero and victims begin to heal.
Obviously the movie was designed to be released close to the tenth anniversary of the attacks, but never in my time on this earth has this country desperately needed an injection of hope. The recent devastation that struck Norway, the still collapsing economy, and the slow decline in our government have left all of us in shambles. As a nation, we’re tired. We’re shaken and broken.
Rebirth is more than a documentary following the lives of 9/11 victims, but a reminder that we have the ability to heal, start over, hit refresh…survive.
I’m a part of a generation that was born with the responsibility to fix things. We grew up in an period of sorrow, essentially watching the world burn. Fortunately for us, we’re smart, and we’re capable of picking up the pieces from this mess.
The trailer is only a few minutes, but in that short amount of time I witnessed a vast change. A change in tone, outlook and appearance. I watched the wounds heal, and I saw the transformation of someone who had lost everything and somehow managed to pick up the shattered pieces and find beauty in them again.
I’m beyond inspired. I am once again filled with hope that, perhaps, the future isn’t as dark as the present.
Here is the trailer for Rebirth. I can’t wait for the movie to come to theaters, and I hope everyone sees the film at one point.
Killing The Face Of Evil
Yesterday, May 1, 2011, President Obama addressed the nation confirming the death of Osama bin Laden. Bin Laden was, to our western world, the face and name of terrorism; he was the man behind the September 11 attacks in New York, stealing 3,000 American lives away from us. That was nearly 10 years ago, and on that day this country vowed to avenge the thousands of innocent lives lost on that awful day. As of last night, that promise has been fulfilled.
Being at the University of Maryland during the delivery of this news, I was surrounded by the chaos that happened as a result to Osama’s death. On my campus students rioted (a knee-jerk reaction to significant events for Maryland students), rallies took place throughout D.C., specifically in front of the White House, and about 25 miles east at the United States Naval Academy in Annapolis, Midshipmen celebrated in a similar fashion. The other service academies reportedly held similar celebrations as well.
Almost immediately after President Obama delivered his speech to the nation, which I watched via an online steam, this day was referred to as “the most important day in America.” For those who lost family or friends in the 9/11 attacks or overseas fighting in Afghanistan, the death of bin Laden was a source of comfort. For the rest of us, it was a moment of true American pride, unifying our nation once again under the same belief that a large force of evil in this world had finally been destroyed. To witness the country coming together, chanting “U.S.A.!” and singing the National Anthem was a moment I will forever cherish and remember, both as an American and as a human being. Knowing this nation has the potential to be completely united and at peace brings a level of hope and comfort to me, and I’m sure several others as well.
However, I’m concerned that the pride Americans are currently feeling can easily turn into a destructive form of nationalism: a source of power that, at its extreme, can continuously destroy.
It’s important to recognize the difference between Americans celebrating the death of a man our military and government have been hunting for almost 10 years, and a terrorist organization celebrating the death of what we Americans consider an innocent man, woman or child. What’s unsettling is that the pride displayed on the faces of Americans last night is not terribly different than that found on the terrorists we swore to eliminate. I’m concerned the current mindset of the country could cause a flood of nationalistic behavior, and while I understand last night was a deserved time for our people, a time to be relieved and excited for the future security of our country, I sincerely hope these riots and rallies were a one time thing.
I’m not attempting to say that retribution wasn’t deserved. I’m never happy to hear the loss of human life, but I do sincerely believe the world is a slightly safter place with the absence of Osama bin Laden. I have the highest respect for the men and women in uniform serving over in Iraq and Afghanistan. I don’t know how to fully repay all of them for keeping me and my fellow citizens safe, but one day I hope to serve my country the best way I know how – investigative and informative journalism.
Regardless, America had its celebration last night. The emotional torment from that frightful day back in 2001 still haunts some to this day, but for the first time in a long time, America had a victory, and its citizens released any and every emotion that was inside them. Bin Laden may have only been one man, but he was one man who took so much from us. He took our loved ones: our sons, our daughters, our husbands, our wives, our children, and for others, our will to live. For so long people have mourned, and last night they were able to cheer. They were allowed to let go. They were allowed to live.
Killing Osama bin Laden was huge for our country, but it’s extremely important to understand the threat has not disappeared with the death of bin Laden. There are countless men like him who want to cause the same amount of harm to our people, if not more. This country needs to hang onto the unity currently running through its vains with a tight grip, with the knuckles of our hands turning white. Without this national pride and respect for one another, we are nothing. We have no future without the support of one another. I hope this moment in history, no matter how large or small some believe it to be, can assist the progression of this country. Our soldiers are fighting for our freedom; let’s ensure we are honoring what they die for by acknowledging that freedom, distributing it among everyone. The scars of September 11 were left on the nation, not the individual.
Yesterday was a day I will never forget. I was young when the towers fell, and I have grown up in an environment of resentment, hostility, and sorrow. In the midst of all the despair, I choose to recognize the hope this country still has. I choose to look forward, knowing there is a happier future. I take each step in this country with pride, grateful for my ability to walk down the street without fear. I thank the American people for coming together, and I thank the founders of this country for creating a place filled with endless opportunity.
From President Obama’s announcement regarding bin Laden’s death: “And tonight let us think back to the sense of unity that prevailed on 9/11. I know that it has, at times, frayed. Yet today’s achievement is a testament to the greatness of our country and the determination of the American people.”
Let’s not wait for another tragedy to revive our unity. It is our responsibility as a nation to appreciate the connection we all feel to one another. We must share the pain we all felt, and we must move forward together to heal that pain.
For the United States of America, this moment is breathtaking, unforgettable, and irreplaceable.
