Sexuality in the Military

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When the word homosexual is brought up it usually gets the attention of many. Gays have usually been considered physically unfit to fight in the military because of their feminine reputations. In reality, homosexuals have the same burning passion to fight for their country as heterosexuals do and should be able to while being open about their sexuality. Moreover, gay troops today do not earn the same right and protections as do their straight colleagues (O’Keefe). The people of this country may claim land of the free, but in reality the term free does not apply to everyone. Freedom for homosexual soldiers, or homosexuals in general, has not been established yet. Many people will say that gays make our military look weak, but people neglect to include that gays are willing to fight for the U.S. while others sit at home complain. Moreover, gays should not only be able to fight for the U.S., but also have a choice: to be open about their sexuality or not. One man was discharged with a less-than-honorable mention for being openly homosexual (O’Keefe). How effective is someone fighting for the U.S. if he is at home? Along with that one man being dismissed from the military, 13,000 other soldiers have been discharged for violating DADT or “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell” (O’Keefe). At a time such as this when the nation struggles to recruit capable service members, it cannot exclude gay men and women who are willing and able to serve (Steinman). Gays should be allowed to be open about their sexuality because if not then, more troops will be let go every day which is the real reason our military is weak because of the lack of soldiers. Furthermore, DADT, a policy made by Congress that prohibits gay soldiers from being openly homosexual, is in t... ... middle of paper ... ...reenhaven Press, 2012. Current Controversies. Rpt. from "Ending 'Don't Ask, Don't Tell' Doesn't End Problems Facing Gay Service Members." Washington Post 14 Feb. 2011. Opposing Viewpoints In Context. Web. 31 Oct. 2013. Owens, Mackubin Thomas. "Repealing DADT Would Hurt Military Morale." Gays in the Military. Ed. Noah Berlatsky. Detroit: Greenhaven Press, 2011. Opposing Viewpoints. Rpt. from "The Case Against Gays in the Military." Wall Street Journal 2 Feb. 2010. Opposing Viewpoints In Context. Web. 31 Oct. 2013. Steinman, Alan M. "Gays Are Already Serving Honorably in the US Military Without Causing Harm." Gays in the Military. Ed. Debra A. Miller. Detroit: Greenhaven Press, 2012. Current Controversies. Rpt. from "Don't Ask, Don't Tell in Today's Military." GayMilitarySignal.com. 2011. Opposing Viewpoints In Context. Web. 31 Oct. 2013.

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