Today officially marks the end of the military’s 18 year old ‘don’t ask don’t tell’ policy, allowing members of the military to finally reveal their sexuality without fear of losing their jobs. The Defense Department claims that they will have no tolerance for anti-gay behavior, just as it does for religious and gender discrimination. Troops previously discharged under don’t ask don’t tell can finally reenlist if they still meet the qualifications.
However, not all is solved. The Federal Defense of Marriage Act does not allow the military to recognize same-sex partnerships. This means that their partners will not be able to get the same benefits married heterosexual benefits are entitled to.
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I fielded a call today with a man who compared putting gays in the military to giving M-16s to Schizophrenics. Another caller insisted the end of DADT would corrupt children and encourage the homosexual lifestyle. This is the ignorance that is making the achievement of equal rights such a difficult task in this country.
Hopefully the repealing of DADT will be a stepping stone for taking down DOMA and the expansion of same-sex marriage laws across the country.
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