As of today, Don’t Ask/Don’t Tell, the U.S. policy that allowed gays and lesbians to serve in the military only as long as they kept their sexual orientation a secret, is officially over. In honor of this milestone, here’s the official letter from top Army commanders to soldiers announcing the end of the policy:
Via Joe. My. God.
NPR posted interviews with two men who worked hard for repeal, and it’s worth a read.
Comments 27
Emilia Lombardi — September 20, 2011
Here is a blast from the past.
http://www.asanet.org/footnotes/1997/ASA.08.1997.pdf
Nov, 1997 issue of Footnotes regarding the award the American Sociological Association given to Charles Moskos. He was a significant architect of "don't ask, don't tell". There are letters from the LGBT Caucus, the awards committee, and Mosko's himself defending DADT on page 7.
Lauren — September 20, 2011
*cheer* Yay!
Oliver Crosby — September 20, 2011
Image is way too small to read
Anonymous — September 20, 2011
I think congratulations are in order to those affected by this. Now we just have to hope that the rest of the spectrum will get their day soon.
Wendy Kobylarz — September 20, 2011
No. Big fucking deal. Now we can go kill innocent civilians in other countries, too. What progress! I'm so excited when I think of all the money US citizens have spent in order to make this dream come true, particularly when I think how the money might have been spent on creating shelters for homeless queer folk (particularly youth); on working towards making gender identity and sexual orientation on par with race, religion and gender in terms of excluding people from being offered jobs or reasons for being fired; on assisting queers who live in poverty with basic needs and when necessary medical assistance (perhaps particularly transgender people or people living with HIV and/or AIDS).
I have never understood why, with all the injustice in the world, I should bother to fight to bring more injustice, American-style, to people who happen to live in the way of oil, gold and other natural resources we so gladly and eagerly take, take and take. The military is about protecting a system of widespread oppression, and that is not something I want to be part of. It boggles my mind that anyone would consider this a victory.
Sam Rogowski — September 20, 2011
One day I hope that we can get women to be equal and register for the Selective Service as well.
RaCaZaBleu93 — September 20, 2011
We should remember that there are still many service people who were discharged under D.A.D.T., and for whom there is very little recourse for justice.
Anonymous — September 20, 2011
I'm sure that there's a good reason that the content here has been made inaccessible to a large number of people. As it stands, however, the page is not compliant with the relevant W3C standards.
Excerpted from the HTML standard
Larrycharleswilson — September 20, 2011
Our military does what it is told to do. The government tells it what to do. The voters elect the government. War is NOT a game. As Sherman told that graduating class: "War is Hell."
Anonymous — September 20, 2011
It's about time! I'm glad they finally pushed through the repeal of DADT.
Now I just wonder how long it'll be until other things, like equal benefits for gay spouses, will take...
Anonymous — September 20, 2011
And check out this touching video:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DVAgz6iyK6A
Dan — September 21, 2011
While I'm happy for the people in the military who no longer have to hide an aspect of themselves... Seriously "the US Army has been an extraordinary force for good in the world"? *dies laughing*
evie — September 21, 2011
Wait, what? So bisexuals still have to closet themselves?! Maybe think about only using the phrase 'gays and lesbians' when you really mean to exclude bisexual people.
But yes, interesting how much effort has gone into allowing LGB people to be out, when trans* people still can't serve at all.
And also, assimilationist priorities yada yada etc