Wow. You all did a great job of showing the ignorance of some many Americans concerning this issue. The young gays and lesbians that went into the recruiters office, they are trying to prove a mute point, also they have no real intention of enlisting, put them down range with us and they would end up trying to find a way to get out. The main reason I say that is that gays and lesbians that really want to serve get into the military by keeping their mouths shut. I and most people I know in the service at this time could give a s... less if someone is gay or lesbian. If they are competent and there when you need them that is enough, they are our brothers and sisters. I am glad to see the issue being resolved through publicly addressing it. Hopefully they will get things right. I have been in the service on and off the last nine years and there are alot of things I have issues with. I have been down range twice. What really grinds my gears are these opionated young americans who have not been any where or contributed anything putting in their misguided two cents. Anyway great job, you always have good programming and news. Can you guys get The President to make it possible to get a debt consolidation loan for all your debt ie: car loan and credit card debt and personnel loans. Lol. Wishful thinking, though the banks should be obviously loaning us money.
Posted by: Lionel C. on June 25, 2010
Bravo for a documentary that shows our military and country is participating in blatant discrimination. The DADT policy has been a complete failure. Homosexuals have EVERY right to serve this wonderful country and until this policy is changed we will continue to regress. True bravery is speaking the truth and I commend this documentary for showing that our country would be much better served by gays and lesbians in our military.
Posted by: Linda Owen on June 6, 2010
this film was so eye opening. i am floored by our gay communitys support for something that sets them up to hide from themselves and others all while doing something so brave. the film gave me goosebumps and mad me very very angry. thank you for opening my eyes and giving me something more to support and stand up for...your rights as a human being to be, do, and say what you want.
Posted by: Courtney on June 6, 2010
I have yet to see the film, but I watch the preview over and over because it gives me a feeling of community. One day after the announcement by Gates of the changes to Dont Ask Dont Tell, I was informed I was undergoing investigation. I am not surprised, yet it is still saddening. I love my job, and I love my country more. I am currently in Baghdad, Iraq on my second deployment. I have served my country well. It is truly time to end this discriminatory policy. I blog about my experiences living under the policy at RepealNOW. We will win!
Posted by: Eric Williams on March 30, 2010
I live in Fort Myers. I am having a very difficult time with the conservative culture here.
I would so appreciate it if your wrote back I am interested in a conversation with anyone who thinks of themselves as a radical and has the historical and philosophical clout to be able to carry on an intelligent conversation.
Best Wishes,
Mounir Hanafi
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Posted by: Mounir Hanafi on July 11, 2009
This was an extraordinary documentary. It is unfortunate that we have so many talented, qualified individuals with skills that our military is in desperate need of, such as foreign language experts who speak fluent arabic, farsi, etc., who are willing to serve. Now that President Obama and Secretary of Defense Robert Gates have announced their intentions to delve deeper into this, it is my sincere hope that a temporary resolution will be achieved, until the legislation is taken up with Congress.
Posted by: Michele on July 2, 2009
This policy is a discrace! It outrages me, along with everyone I know, that ANY kind of discrimination can be legally enforced in our country. America is only the "land of the free" for some of the people some of the time. The ignorance and idiocy prevailing here is an international embarrassment. When will this country join the rest in seeing the light?
I pray that Obama accomplishes a long list of equalizing measures with this at the top of the list.
Even though they were mistreated, they still want to serve. What does that tell you?
Posted by: indieAdmin on July 2, 2009
GREAT FILM, AND.........
When *President Obama spoke in Cairo to the Muslim world on June 4, 2009, he used 3 words to describe Holocaust denial: "baseless, ignorant, and hateful." The same three words can apply to beliefs that gay and lesbian Americans should not serve in the military. Always baseless, usually ignorant, and sometimes hateful to the point of homicidal fear and anger. A recent **Gallup poll discovered that 69% of national adults and 60% of weekly church goers favor allowing openly gay men and lesbian women to serve in the military. Furthermore, 78% of those 18-29 years old and 60% of those over 60 also believe openly gay men and lesbian women should be allowed to serve. So--when will Congress and the President align law and policy with current realities? When will lawmakers and senior military leaders set aside their baseless, ignorant and hateful beliefs, policies and laws?
* http://www.nytimes.com/2009/06/04/us/politics/04obama.text.html
** http://www.gallup.com/poll/120764/Conservatives-Shift-Favor-Openly-Gay-Service-Members.aspx
Posted by: Bill on June 28, 2009
The military/gov. is one of the most bias work places of all! My husband has applied for multiple jobs which involve working with satelites. He has all the necessary education and training as well as being able to speak three languages. At first he is offered an interview but, after sending in his information they find out he had an Arab background and we have come to find out that it would cost them to much time and money to do a background check.
The story after they do and interview with him is that plans have changed. One time they even had a flight set up! And yes he is a U.S. citizen. All my husband wants is a job where he can use his skills. If Arnold can be a gov. my husband should be able to find a job! Thank you Lockheed Martin and other Military establishments your racist organizations go on noticed. Everyone deserves a fair chance. Who cares if someone is gay, purple, yellow or so on as long as they can do the job. It would not seriously distract me from my job if my co-worker was gay, come on!
Posted by: Michelle: I will not post my last name for fear of my husband not getting a job! on June 24, 2009
As a combat medic veteran of the Vietnam war, I don't remember any wounded or dying soldier in my unit caring if I was Gay. In war all soldiers are there to watch out for each other and protect each other. Sexuality never was an issue because staying alive is the first and only priority that a soldier has, especially in a combat situation.
DADT is a failed policy and needs to be repealed ASAP.
This film "Ask Not" was great and I applaud all the brave men and women in this film for working toward the repeal of DADT. God bless you all!!!!
Posted by: Walter on June 24, 2009
To David Whitcomb: I am confused by your point/question
To Juan Cortez: How has no one yet responded to your comments, which I think reflect a lack of having absorbed any of the information that Ask Not, the documentary, had to offer. Did you watch the film? Inside the film - and its depiction of the way in which the Don't Ask, Don't Tell policy was created, and the process therein - the analogy between racial segregation of troops and LGBT discrimination inside the military is both clear and strong. If your problem with the analogy lies in your perception that being gay is a choice, I don't even know where to begin to challenge that except to say, quite simply, how - given all of the studies that have been done, given all of the personal accounts that you must have been exposed to unless you have sheltered yourself from them, and given all of the continued prejudices and compromised rights that being gay in this country entails - can you still believe that? *But finally, and perhaps most importantly, I am VERY curious as to what you mean by "medical issues"? Really, I would love to know what argument is behind that phrase.
Posted by: Rebecca on June 23, 2009
As an Air Force veteran, I can honestly say that sexual orientation never crossed my mind as a limiting factor for service. I know people in the military who are gay and nobody cares. A good friend of mine is a lesbian and yes we were required to take communal showers in basic training together. Guess what happened- NOTHING! When you are in training or combat, you do not have time to think much less worry about the sexual orientation of the soldier, sailor, airman, or marine next to you. Truthfully, the heterosexual relationships were more disruptive than the homosexual relationships. The fact is there are more heterosexual people in the military and they get deployed, separated from spouses and it leads to an extremely high rate of adultery. Adultery violates the Uniform Code of Military Justice too but not many people get discharge for that reason in comparison to homosexuality. I would rather have an upstanding, competent gay person working and fighting next to me than an ignorant, barely literate, felon. So, they kick out 12,000 gays over a period of years just to recruit in 4,000 felons in one year? That is crazy. Basic training is designed to tear individuals down and then to rebuild them as a soldier, sailor, airman, or marine who can put aside differences to work as a cohesive, productive unit. If we rely on military training to protect the world from terrorists, can't we rely on that same training to allow people to separate and overcome any bias regarding sexual orientation?
Posted by: Allison on June 22, 2009
... As an award-winning, international print-journalist of 35+ yrs. in the mainstream-&-gay media on both coasts, I congratulate "Independent Lens" for documenting the failuure of "Don't Ask, Don't Tell." & how FUTILE war-&-war preparation ISN'T!
- To the BRAVE LGBT in-&-expelled from our military, BRAVO! I don't UNDERSTAND why ANY LGBT person WOULD want-to-serve ANY country who treats US as LESS-than-2nd class citizens!
... & the supportive families, friends-&-friends of LGBT military, thank-you for speaking-out. As a gay Mormon, who was excommunicated for being gay, I personally know about rejection & the liberation that can come with it! NEVER-GIVE-IN to ANYBODY!!!
Posted by: Hanford Searl Jr. on June 22, 2009
Congratulations on a very well made documentary. We can hope that President Obama will recognize that we are well beyond the time to right this wrong. We are beyond the time when this issue should be used as a political football.
In addition to those service members thrown out under this policy, there are undoubtedly countless people who might otherwise have chosen to serve their country in the military and did not because of the ban on gays. When I first started considering careers as a kid, I decided I wanted to go to one of the service academies. From the moment of that decision, I achieved straight A's in my pursuit of that goal. However, as I went through high school, these plans were abandoned in no small part due to my realizations about my sexuality and the reality of what that would mean to a military career.
It takes a lot of courage and dedication to principles to speak out within the conservative military community as the soldiers featured in this documentary have. These are exactly the type of people we should want in our military.
I believe this is a more, not less, important issue in a time of war. We ask all of our soldiers, straight and gay, to put their lives at risk for our safety and benefit. It simply is wrong that we would honor one person and discharge another for the sacrifices they have made. Our greatest institutions in defense of liberty cannot continue to have official discrimination against a large group of brave men and women that serve within them. Even if one has religious issues with homosexuality, moral purity is not something we have a right to demand of soldiers. Social conservatives and liberals alike, we should all view it as disgraceful that our country would dishonor some of those who have fought for us, lost arms and legs for us, and died for us.
Our current policy is equivalent to having a fireman rescue one's family from a burning house and then trying to have him fired because you find out he's gay. Would anyone actually do that? I would be hard pressed to believe that even Pat Robertson or Rush Limbaugh would be ungrateful in such a situation. Just like that fireman, these soldiers have risked their lives doing their jobs to protect your family. It's time we collectively say we are so very grateful for their service and sacrifice.
Posted by: Phillip Duncan on June 21, 2009
When I was a child 14 or 15 I wanted to join the US Navy, however when I was 18 or 19 I was called for my selective service military physical. At last my chance to join the navy had arrived, boy was I mistaken.
The physical exam and interview took place, a guy in a white coat asked me a bunch of questions and one of them was if I was homosexual. I must have paused because he told me that they already had information that I was a fag. I was told to go home.
When I turned 21 I applied for various city, state and federal positions. I was told by background people that I was morally unfit, there were some moral turpitude questions. After many years of trying to get beyond the fact that I am gay and cannot change that part of my life I attained a high ranking position in law enforcement.
My lover and I had been together for 16 years but we kept our relationship very private. He was 33 when he died of a heart attack, within days it was known that he and I were lovers and had been for a number of years.
Within a year I lost my position for moral turpitude, before long a former co worker told me that it all centred around the fact that I am gay.
I have been gay since my first memories and being the way I was born has cost me everything.
Posted by: Jimmy on June 21, 2009
I was in the U.S. Army and served from September 2001 - May 2003. I was married at the time and I was having many complications with my wife back then. While I was in the field doing training exercises, she was cheating on me. My unit was stationed at Fort Hood, TX. We were two weeks out from heading over-seas to South Korea for a year tour. I wanted to make our marriage work and last so I knew the only way out was to say that I was Gay, and that was it they discharged me faster then when I was enlisted. It didn't help me anyway cause our marriage fell apart and I served a year over in Iraq with KBR. I do believe that people should have their right to serve for our country no matter what. The fact that there are and would be Gays in the military doesn't bother me as long as they are not trying to hit on me. I am cool with the whole idea, but now the problem stands that I can't re-enlist as I would of liked to do. I also think they could of come up with a better narrative reason as to why they Discharged you other then Homosexual Admission. That ruins your chances to get some govt jobs or any who may ask for your DD-214.
Posted by: Anonymous on June 20, 2009
Ok the simple fact is that gays are there whether you think it is right or wrong. If God says it is wrong let him, deal with it. The people do the job there being paid to do is the military really that closed minded to not see people for how they are. People should be able to be who they are. And as far as a matter of where we draw the line a gay who are in the military are of legal age and can consent. And are not breaking any law, so to keep it far should we not have the DADT for non-gay. If they cannot be open about the who they are in love with why should their coo-workers be.
Posted by: Diane on June 20, 2009
This was a brilliant program. It is ludicrous that the policy was ever implemented and is still allowed to stand after all this time. Shame on us liberals for letting Clinton get away with it. Shame on us if we let Obama continue it. The fact is that gays are serving and have been all along and guess what? The sky hasn't fallen in! Our troops are not being "turned". The irony is that there are probably a lot of people who do not support gay marriage who probably think this policy should be rescinded. A lot of attitude has changed since the days that our God-ridden representatives expressed fear of God imparting death and destruction on a military that includes openly gay and lesbian soldiers. This is the common ground that is often so difficult to find.
Posted by: Kris Moore on June 19, 2009
This was so well done! A copy should be sent to the President. Thank you for airing this program. How long will the US Gov encourage discrimination? I like how it listed all the other countries that have moved beyond sterotypes but our govt can't manage. My gay friends take their hats off to you. Yea, PBS
Posted by: Anonymous on June 18, 2009
Thank you so much for the "Ask Not" program. I'm an older lesbian in my seventies, once wanted to serve in the Royal Australian Navy. Ironically, didn't on grounds of religious discrimination. Please thank oall the participants for thier moral courage in standing up to this hideous and insidious form of discrimination: "Don't ask, Don't tell". Your courage in making this film is also appreciated, and you are to be commended. It was extremely touching. With all good wishes and with great respect, Veronica Cunningham
Posted by: Anonymous on June 18, 2009
Let me start out by saying that it is about time we had a documentary on the soliders who risk their lives. Gay people are the same as everyone else. Fundamentally they prefer someone else in bed, which i personally could care less. Let's face it, everyone knows someone who is gay.
Weather it be a brother, sister, cousin, uncle.... we all know someone who is gay. As americans we have to stop focusing on the fact that people are gay and focus more on the issue at hand. Lets take a stand and start standing up for ourselves and our fellow human beings.
The documentary was very well put together. I'm very proud and thankful for ANYONE reguardless of sex, religion, seual orientation, race etc. who risks their life for this country. thank you.
Posted by: travis bronson on June 18, 2009
it saddens me that the military is able to openly discriminate against gay people. Its not right. If so many other countries have lifted the ban why not us? the united states of america. I think is an atrocious act of discrimination what is being allowed to be done here and what eventually we are letting them get away with. If this was a black thing I assure you this shameful acts wouldn't be going on for long.
Posted by: luisa salazar on June 18, 2009
I don't see why gays shouldn't be allowed to serve if they choose. I don't have a problem with it and we should be grateful that anyone wants to step up while we're fighting two wars and recruitment numbers are down. We really can't afford to dismiss qualified and willing men & women.
Posted by: teri on June 18, 2009
Each of us must write President Obama asking him to be the leader he professes to be; to lead as Truman did and end discrimination in the U.S. military. One person at a time is all it takes.
Posted by: J P Stephenson on June 18, 2009
I remember when Sen. Sam Nunn did his "FACT FINDING" tour interviewing the troops about gays in the military. A major feature of that tour was not mentioned in this documentary. In advance of Sen Nunn's arrival the military leadership screened the personnel allowed to speak with the senator. Sen Nunn's staff also did pre-interviews with the troops. Anyone supporting gays in the military was not allowed to speak to the senator or the media that followed him.
Posted by: Greg, USAF retired on June 18, 2009
Thank you for educating me about "Don't Ask Don't Tell." I am a teenager, and if I understand the need for ALL Americans to have equal opportunities, why doesn't congress? I can assure everyone who reads this, that in the next election I will be supporting candidates who realize the importance of this issue and others like it. I will be raising awareness of the severity of this problem to educate my generation. Again, thank you for a job well done!
And by the way, I am an American first, and I happen to be straight.
Posted by: Monique on June 18, 2009
Why is "our" U.S. military afraid to offend the tender sensibilities of the most ignorant among us, at the cost of efficiency, skills and dedication? It's long past time for this nation--and its men and women in uniform--to GROW UP!
The fact is that, according to all the polls I've seen, most military personnel HAVE grown up...as have most of the civilian population. Why must America cater to bigots in formulating military policy?
I think most bigots are the way they are due to ignorance. Those in power should have enough respect for those who hate/fear gay people to educate them. That's what was done with the racists a couple generations ago...since integrating the military, the racists (with a few die-hard exceptions) have become fewer...and further between.
Posted by: J.Hill on June 17, 2009
dedicated to all the gays who died in battle and denied being truthful despite the American ignorance to their contribution
the warrior
under the sudden drop toward insanity
I find myself in the abyss of anonymity
with no solace to further a life worthy
amongst the gods and oh Mighty
lest me be condemned to stand still
beneath the darkness that invades
this space a longing into too many of crusades
a battle lost and many fights won for lesser values
were meant to pierce this heart much less its dues
in these the tenebrous tombs
I rest lone to the above like a drone none worshipped
yet revered amongst many on the killing field
sadly hay-den this land dry and barren
none ceased my crest, for a maiden never child bare
before the night it cull me best eternal silence none care I see not you Lord
for in this abyss no river red be drip
just dry as bone and crisp this wind
nor cold neither heat can resurrect
but dead as dead it be time
a will ,not forget
for not in vain be met an unworthy death
when of flesh lived lesser regrets
amongst the bests
a love to the other kind
in my bosoms I caressed
in this world none eyes dare sets
but nailed shut into coffins brimstones
silenced they be into rocks and stones
none the less
of men they were
with gods and Mighty
with souls of gold made right
all but I, denied
Posted by: Unknown on June 17, 2009
Gays need to stay in the closet. Gays have no place in the military. Plain and simple.
Posted by: Dan B on June 17, 2009
Something is wrong with this picture. I spent 28 years in the military. Why did I have to go to Vietnam and put my life on the line but if I was gay someone else would do that for me, while I stay safe in the USA because I am gay. I am not gay but when I was in Vietnam and they were shooting at me, I did not care if the guy beside me helping shoot back was gay, green yellow or what ever. Get rid of DADT. The war took years from my life and now the tax I pay is being wasted by putting highly trained people out of the military.
Posted by: Kenneth Mostella on June 17, 2009
The program was very insightful. As a former USMC officer who served during the turbulent times of the Viet Nam war, racism was at the forefront. With a son-in-law in the USAF, that appears to have been dealt with successfully. As society evolves to greater inclusion, so too this will become the non-issue it deserves to be. Thirty-five years ago the prejudice was gender based. It will, like most other jobs, be based on "can the individual perform the job?"
Posted by: Dennis Kearns on June 17, 2009
If I were a soldier in a war or training or whatever the military function may be, I would want the soldier in front of me and behind me to have my back as I would theirs....at that point I would not care with whom their having person relationships with
Posted by: Marilyn on June 17, 2009
Interesting how the US military was ahead of the curve, especially in what is considered such a conservative time, by integrating blacks and whites in the service 1952. Yet it took more them 12 years to achieve the same integration throughout the civilian US society. Now in 2009, gays have been excepted in so many place, it's just not a big deal to most Americans. Yet the military still wont allow gays to serve. Shame on them.
Posted by: Tim on June 17, 2009
I am a lifelong Military dependant, married to a career Army Officer. Both my husband and I support the full inclusion of every eligle person willing to serve their country. I enjoyed the show and applaud these brave persons for their sacrifices. The only point of contention I had was with the Right to Serve Campaign which in my mind will do a disservice to the advancement of equal rights. If I (who wholly supports their cause) find their tactics distastful, imagine those who are against the repeal of DADT. These recruiters are legally bound by the limits of this ridiculous policy. Lets continue with the discourse, it's only a matter of time.
Posted by: Molly on June 17, 2009
I think back on Copy Berg from Virginia Beach Virginia who was one of the first to stand up for who he was. I graduated in 1969 from the same high school class. My thoughts are always with Copy and his family. Copy passed away in 1999.
Posted by: Margaret Anthony on June 17, 2009
I would like to share the closing comment on something like..."I think of myself as a soldier first....and I happen to be gay".
My ethnic heritage happens to be both chinese and japanese. And I know that in years past, both nations had strong prejudicial hatred to each other. As a child I grew up in Hawaii. Now while I enjoyed both chinese and japanese food, I also enjoyed the many other choices in Hawaii such as filipino, portuguese, korean, malaysian, thai, as well as of course Hawaiian and american, too. These happen to be food preferences, but while I do know their country of origin, those of us in Hawaii simply refer to them as "local food".
With that, I think of myself as an american first...and happen to be a mixed asian, much like that soldier being a soldier first who also happens to be gay. For me, gays simply like sexual partners of the same gender. That is fundamentally the only difference. Both heteros as well as gays can like or love either gender. Lastly, from a scientific difference, we can only reproduce with a sexual partner of the opposite gender. When one views gays as only having a difference in their choice of a sexual partner, there's really not to it I think. Thanks for a great show.
Posted by: Mike on June 17, 2009
I was so unaware of the harm DADT is doing to our national safety. I now believe that along with all the other countries of the world that the US should also put our safety first along with supporting what we say we believe in--JUSTICE FOR ALL, EQUAL TREATMENT OF ALL CITIZENS, NO MATTER WHAT THEIR COLOR OR GENDER OR SEXUAL PREFERENCE by repealing DADT. I would rather have had gay people serving in the military than the 9/11 failure because the military excluded people who were capable of deciphering Arabic.
Posted by: Jaynette Maaske on June 17, 2009
In the film one of the last people giving a speech is advocating for homosexuals and in the next breath he says "God bless America". How ironic!!! You choose to support something that God, the God of the Bible, the God that through His word clearly let us know he abominates that lifestlyle and then you turn around and ask Him to bless you. What a lack of wisdom. Obviously God is not blessing America or else we would be at peace with the world the military wouldn't be so desperate for new recruits.
Posted by: Nicky on June 17, 2009
I must say, I have been serving with the National Guard since 2005 and I am gay. It is a sad thing to know that the military does not allow openly gay and lesbians to serve and defend their country. It is my pleasure to say and shut anybody up who thinks that because one is gay or lesbian serving in the military is not capable of getting the job done. I am an Infantry soldier and I can guarantee that I have and continue to get the job done the same way a "straight" person does. It is so sad that we are looked upon the way we are. The hardest thing is living a lie, its like converting to a complete different person when you put on a service uniform. You have to be careful of what you say or do. Eventhough there are a few soldiers in my unit that know about me I still find it hard to be myself. You have to deal with all the soldiers making jokes about gays and all the disrespect and hatred they throw out to the gays. I will be a proud supporter of this as I think it will eventually get across. All in all, it would be nice to take my boyfriend to military events and be respected not only for the person I am but also for the job that I can do just as a straight person does. One should not be denied the entry to the Armed Forces for their sexual preferences. Trust me, I can get the job done and get down and dirty when I need to. My sexual orientation has nothing to do with serving my country. LETS PUT AN END TO IT!
Posted by: Christian Huete on June 17, 2009
Don't Ask, Don't Tell is a totally failed policy, which played right into the hands of bigots and homophobes in and out of the professional military. One of the reasons I was so enthusiastic about Barach Obama's presidency was his vow to end this hideous policy, which has destroyed the careers of thousands of American Patriots and placed us all at risk. Why Mr. Obama is dragging his feet when all he has to do is issue an executive order to undue this awful injustice is beyond me. As a veteran (USAF 1967 - 71) I strongly believe that every military leader, politician or citizens who continues to endorse these unjust, draconian policies is compromising the security of our country.
This country must get beyond its bigotry. Hate must end.
Posted by: Howard Sandroff on June 17, 2009
I found your report on "Don't ask, don't tell" anything less than objective. it appeared that you were promoting the policy rather than investigating it. There is no place for agenda in journalism. Let the viewer decide, don't preach.
Posted by: Bruce Enlow on June 17, 2009
I proudly served my country in silence for three years many years ago. During that time I knew many gay men who also served in silence. It's time that this country provide equal rights to all of our citizens, including the right to serve our country regardless of sexual orientation. Hooray for the brave young generation for insisting on their rights!
Posted by: Charles on June 17, 2009
I just watched "Ask Not." It was very informative and very well done.
I was really impressed by the gays who are former military who spoke out. It was amazing to finally see and hear gay men who do not fit any of the anti-gay stereotypes.
I also am proud of the people who challenged recruiters, especially since they were arrested. Americans talk so much about free speech, but your program showed what happens to those who speak out -- they are arrested and taken away.
I find it upsetting and unjustifiable that someone who sexually assaulted a minor and someone who was arrested for driving under the influence of drugs would be accepted into the military, but someone with a clean record, except that he or she is gay, would be rejected.
My father and my uncle were career Navy. I spent 20 some years living in the military. For a Southern Baptist and a conservative Republican martinet, my father took it fairly well when I told him that I am gay (in the early 1980s). He was only concerned that I would have a more difficult life than I would have had if I were heterosexual. One time my father even introduced me to an officer colleague of his who was gay, but closeted. Everyone knew this officer was gay, but no one did or said anything. My father was jealous that this man did not have to spend his salary on a family like my father had to.
I have always known that I could not be in the military because I am gay. Though I am an Eagle Scout, graduated with honors from the University of Virginia, and have two masters degrees, I take the 10 Commandments to heart, including not killing -- and I would find it difficult to blindly follow orders. Instead of serving the U.S. through the military, I served as a civil servant. There is still discrimination in the U.S. government against gays. We also operate under a "don't ask, don't tell" policy. The discrimination is all very insidious and nuanced. Since I "pass" for a heterosexual, I hear the homophobic remarks and jokes. I object, but not as often as I should because I want to hear what the homophobes really think, and to be honest I do not want that hatred and anger turned against me. If I felt that my rights would be respected and protected, I would fight more. Unfortunately, I know how the game is played and I know that my rights are not equal to heterosexuals.
The scenes of Clinton talking about then doing nothing about ending discrimination against gays in the military (Clinton did sign an executive order to provide some protections to gays in the U.S. government) disgust me. I can only hope that Obama will be a man and a President like Truman by ending this injustice and allowing the U.S. to join other NATO countries in welcoming gays and lesbians into all forms of national service. It is time to end DADT and to declare DOMA unconstitutional.
Posted by: Michael on June 17, 2009
ASK THE RIGHT QUESTION AND IT WILL TELL THE STORY
I AM STRAIGHT
IS IT OK TO HAVE A SINGLE SEX MILLITARY
NO WOMEN NO MEN NO GAYS
THAT IS A VERY CHEAP ANSWER
AND BY THAT I MEAN IT WOULD COST NOTHING
IF YOU START TO SEPERATE ANYONE COSTS GO WAY UP
ONCE MEN AND WOMEN NEED SEPERATE BATHROOMS U HAVE DOUBLED COSTS
AND SO ON AND SO ON
MY QUESTION SEEMS SIMPLE
WHY DID NOT ANYONE ON THE SHOW "DONT ASK" ASK THE MOST SIMPLE QUESTION OF ALL
LOVE TO HEAR YOUR RESPONCE
THANKS DAVE WHITCOMB
Posted by: DAVID WHITCOMB on June 17, 2009
I am against gays in the military because of privacy issues, moral issues and medical issues. I cannot believe that this PBS show would try to match the blacks civil right with gays. Blacks are born black. Gays are not born gay.
Posted by: Juan Cortez on June 17, 2009
This policy is a farce and needs to end now.
That being said the kids who were "trying" to enlist, the Right To Serve people, were jokes. Seemed more about a self serving publicity stunt, not sincere people who truly want to serve in the military. Such a stark contrast to those like the young men from the Call To Duty tour. They WANT to SERVE. Let them.
Posted by: GayVet on June 17, 2009
Your quiz as a hypothetical recruiter is interesting and serves well to prove the points you are making, but the information provided as the basis for making a decision is incomplete... leading respondents to select an incorrect answer. But if that is your point, to provide information in a way that shades all the facts about the candidate and results in a surprising disparity between the response and the recruiting policy, you have made your point.
I also agree that "Don't Ask, Don't Tell" is long overdue for repeal, as do many current and former senior military officers.
Posted by: Ted on June 15, 2009
I joined the army in 1979.for the first time men and women trained together in basic training.we learned that all preconceptions of the people we were training with were false.no black or white. no male or female.certainly sexual preference was a ta bu by the insistence of the old school mentality.we as trainees did not focus on that aspect.it was not an issue unless someone wanted out.it was used to get a discharge."don't ask don't tell"unless your telling on yourself.the military is an entity on to it self.it is not a democracy nor is it soapbox for ones personal believes.it is however how one serves ones country.if any citizen takes the oath to bear arms in the defence of the United States they should be applauded not turned away.as the old adage goes, there are no atheists in foxholes.nor are there homophobes,they all keep there heads down in Washington...doing god knows what.
Posted by: jay on June 15, 2009
I watched this doc on pbs boston channel. I was educated. I now support gays in the military. I am military retired. We need not discharge good servicepersons who meet all othe UCMJ standards. It is time for intergration. I have children in the military who can function with this change.
Posted by: Venus on June 15, 2009
DADT is ridiculous and on its face unconstitutional; it's sad that military law is not required to meet the Constitutional test. To treat qualified soldiers this poorly for an attribute that has NO IMPACT on their capability to serve is obscene and shows how very out-of-date US military policy is. How can civilian LGBT people expect full equality when the soldiers tasked with protecting our country don't have full equality?
Posted by: John Dixon on June 12, 2009
