Should the Don't Ask Don't Tell policy be ended?

[Rainstorm]

Title asks it all. Should the Don't Ask Don't Tell policy be ended from the United States Military?

I think yes, it should be. If your willing to fight, and possibly die for your country, you should be able to not act like someone you aren't. It doesn't matter if your gay, straight, bisexual, or any other sexual orientation.

[Mr. Smithers]

I disagree. This country doesn't support it's gays. The Military doesn't support gays. So I think it's better that if you were to be in the Military, that you keep quiet about your sexuality.

[Iron Man]

i agree that it should be ended. it is very disrespectful to gay patriots. this very country was founded by our differences

[Appleton]

I think I kind of would have liked to serve if I could. My father, his father and his father were all in the Marines. Guess that will end with me not being able to.

[Zephyr]

I think that it should be ended, it creates a double standard.

Also, if Don't Ask Don't Tell ends, it's a major step in the progressive direction. If the military can become more open to homosexuals, then I can foresee some places following suit.

[INFERNO]

I think it should be ended because if you're willing to put your life on the line for your country, it doesn't matter what your sexual orientation is. You shouldn't have to not disclose it yet have others disclose theirs for fear of discrimination. A homosexual can be just as if not better than a heterosexual and vice-verca.

[Country-Cowgirl]

HELL NO. It is like one of the most important rules in the military. It applies to a lot of shit. NO JOKE. it has gotten me and my buddies (Marines) out of so much crap its amazing that we are still around.

The dont ask dont tell was started for sexuality yes but it now also applies to religion reasons for joining anything that has to deal with your personal life. It basically means that if someone asks you a question that you dont want to answer then you dont have to and they cant push you. Now a days the military doesnt really care about your sexual orientation. yes you might get teased about it by the other guys in barracks for a while but thats the most that will come from it. Dont ask dont tell is like a verbal saftey net for both you and your borthers in arms. Soldiers take what they do very seriously they will use dont ask dont tell even after they get out of the military. Trust me I know I was just raised in the military and I dont know how to be a civi and I use dont ask dont tell myself. plus its good if you want to scare a few cocky jocks and act like/look a grunt as much as I do.

[The Batman]

HELL NO. It is like one of the most important rules in the military. It applies to a lot of shit. NO JOKE. it has gotten me and my buddies (Marines) out of so much crap its amazing that we are still around.

The dont ask dont tell was started for sexuality yes but it now also applies to religion reasons for joining anything that has to deal with your personal life. It basically means that if someone asks you a question that you dont want to answer then you dont have to and they cant push you. Now a days the military doesnt really care about your sexual orientation. yes you might get teased about it by the other guys in barracks for a while but thats the most that will come from it. Dont ask dont tell is like a verbal saftey net for both you and your borthers in arms. Soldiers take what they do very seriously they will use dont ask dont tell even after they get out of the military. Trust me I know I was just raised in the military and I dont know how to be a civi and I use dont ask dont tell myself. plus its good if you want to scare a few cocky jocks and act like/look a grunt as much as I do.

You don't need a "Don't ask Don't Tell" policy to keep people from asking you things about your personal life, that's something I call respect which is what the military teaches right? People should be able to be open and themselves everywhere including the military and by having a policy like this it's not doing anything but making some think that if you're gay you aren't wanted(atleast that's what I get from it). I think that acceptance should be taught everywhere especially the military because once you're out on the battlefield the only thing that matters is that the guy next to you has your back.

[Ripplemagne]

No.

People who flaunt their sexuality are annoying. Keep it to yourself and no one gives a flying fuck.

[Zero Beat]

I dunno really. Its not really something that is needed to be known, so I see why they wouldnt ask. But... mehhhh its not something that needs to be known to shoot (or what not) or kill etc. So... i stand by my mehhhh.

[Country-Cowgirl]

Empty Misery to answer your question no the military teaches discipline and control. They just expect their soldiers to have respect which many unfortunately dont and sometimes nothing is done about the disrespectful behavior other times the soldier will get an article 15 or dishonorably discharged. Yes insubordination is not tolerated but insubordination and respect for officers or higher ranking enlisted men are often two very different things. You can straighten up salute and office and fallow orders but that doesnt mean you have any respect for any of your fellow enlisted men or those who out rank you. HOWEVER the dont ask dont tell is there to protect those who say no and then get pressured. If the person who asks something or says something out of line to another soldier harasses or pushes the subject is reported they can get demerits and demerits mean you dont get promotions and sometimes are not allowed to reup (re enlist). So the dont ask dont tell is more of an order then a sign of respect.

[Brighter.Tomorrow]

I think that sexuality should have nothing to do with military, and why should it be announced if a soldier is gay, straight or bi? Sexuality doesn't make you stronger and if you're really in the military for your country why do you need everyone to know your orientation?

[ShatteredWings]

Honestly I think no.

If DADT is repealed, that's giving the US military the right to go back to old policies, and discharge (not 'honorable', by the way) anyone if they think they're too 'gay'.
It would probably lean very much more towards men than women because of our cultural constructs of what a man should be vs. a woman (which is another topic, so I'm done on the digression)

In the US, if a right isn't specified, it's non existent. That's why we've had all the civil right's movements for things that today if they came up would be ruled a given by the constitution.

If DADT is removed, and not replaced with something that says "The military can not discriminate against people due to sexual orientation or perceived sexual orientation" (or something with more legal jargon that means the same thing), then it's pointless, and a step backwards.

(I'm not expecting gender identity in my life time to be added to that, so meh)

[CaptainObvious]

HELL NO. It is like one of the most important rules in the military. It applies to a lot of shit. NO JOKE. it has gotten me and my buddies (Marines) out of so much crap its amazing that we are still around.

The dont ask dont tell was started for sexuality yes but it now also applies to religion reasons for joining anything that has to deal with your personal life. It basically means that if someone asks you a question that you dont want to answer then you dont have to and they cant push you. Now a days the military doesnt really care about your sexual orientation. yes you might get teased about it by the other guys in barracks for a while but thats the most that will come from it. Dont ask dont tell is like a verbal saftey net for both you and your borthers in arms. Soldiers take what they do very seriously they will use dont ask dont tell even after they get out of the military. Trust me I know I was just raised in the military and I dont know how to be a civi and I use dont ask dont tell myself. plus its good if you want to scare a few cocky jocks and act like/look a grunt as much as I do.

The privacy aspect is nice. But what about for the gay soldiers who must effectively hide their personal lives to avoid the possibility of discharge? How is that justifiable?

No.

People who flaunt their sexuality are annoying. Keep it to yourself and no one gives a flying fuck.

Flaunt their sexuality? DADT proscribes far more than that. Why should someone be forced to hide their sexual orientation one way and not another?

I think that sexuality should have nothing to do with military, and why should it be announced if a soldier is gay, straight or bi? Sexuality doesn't make you stronger and if you're really in the military for your country why do you need everyone to know your orientation?

DADT results in the discharge of many otherwise qualified soliders whose homosexuality sometimes becomes known. It isn't always because they tell people. Why should gay people have to actively hide their sexuality when others do not?

This policy hurts the military and is also entirely unnecessarily discriminatory. It can't be justified and therefore should be repealed.

[Ripplemagne]

Flaunt their sexuality? DADT proscribes far more than that. Why should someone be forced to hide their sexual orientation one way and not another?

Not really, no. In the old days, the mentality of homosexuals was "Why is it anyone's business except my own and my partner's?" There's no reason for anyone to know what your sexuality is in the military.

In case you haven't noticed, the military isn't about indivdualism and differences.

[Antares]

I am not sure...because I fear the amount of discrimination may increase with the DADT thing lifted because people may be completely against gays and may hurt people, discriminate, etc.
I think with DADT that it may have been pretty tranquil for gays but if it is revoked, and everyone comes out, there may be some hate crime types of things that may arise.
Im not sure. But I do think gays should be able to be in the military just like anyone else.

[Giles]

No, nobody really cares about anyone else's sexuality. So just be quiet about it.
Even if they could be open about it, most wouldn't be and if they were they would still be discriminated against.