Sunday, July 13, 2008
Editorial: Gays won't hurt the military
Former military leaders agree don't ask, don't tell is counterproductive.
From the RoundTable blog
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Perhaps the only reasonable argument in favor of preventing gays, lesbians and bisexuals from serving openly in the armed forces has been that their presence would disrupt unit cohesion and weaken the military. At least it sounded reasonable until someone looked at the facts.
Researchers at the University of California, Santa Barbara, assembled retired officers from each branch of the military and asked the nonpartisan group to study whether the "don't ask, don't tell" policy serves the country well. The university pledged not to interfere with the research and to publish the report, whatever its conclusions.
The former officers unanimously concluded the ban on openly gay service members is counterproductive to national security. The ban deprives the military of talented personnel and would not likely affect military performance.
Other nations, such as the United Kingdom and Israel, have experienced no drop in morale, good order or cohesion from allowing openly gay soldiers. Moreover, the study notes, American service members, including those returning from Iraq and Afghanistan, are increasingly nonchalant about fighting alongside gays.
Fifty-two retired generals and admirals agreed with the report's conclusions, urging Congress to repeal the law that forced the military to adopt "don't ask, don't tell." That regrettable compromise signed by President Clinton has left the military weaker than it could be.
The policy also denies gays the chance to serve their country unless they remain hidden in the closet. Such 1950s thinking has no place in the 21st century, when the military needs every volunteer it can find and America is inching toward equality for all of its citizens.
Gay members of the military share something with their fellows. Whether they love people of the same or the opposite sex, they all love their country and are willing to risk their lives defending it. America's strongest military will include people of all sexual orientations.
