GAYS IN THE MILITARY

January 2000
		What should the U.S. military policy be toward homosexuals? Co-executive director of the Servicemembers Legal Defense Network Michelle Benecke and Robert Maginnis, senior director of national security and foreign affairs at the Family Research Council, take your questions.

Forum introduction Would admitting homosexuals disrupt unit cohesion? Does sexual orientation have anything to do with patriotism? Could gays serving openly cause distractions in the ranks? If leaders accepted gays, would the rest of the military follow suit? Couldn't Civil Service standards be applied to allow homosexuals to serve openly? How should the military react to prejudice?   Jan. 6, 2000 Four experts discuss the military's "don't ask, don't tell" policy. Dec. 9, 1999 A look at the military's policy toward homosexuals after the death of a gay soldier. April 8, 1999 Two experts discuss the draft issue in comparison to an all-volunteer military force. Browse the NewsHour's coverage of the military

Matthew Correia of Sumter, South Carolina asks: The Civil Service allows homosexuals to serve and takes action against all who engage in criminal, dishonest, infamous, or notoriously disgraceful conduct. Can't this standard be applied to the Armed Forces and allow homosexuals to serve?   Michelle Beneke responds: Matthew, the answer is yes. The key is to have even-handed rules enforced in an even-handed way. As a former commander, I can tell you that the military has plenty of tools to police behavior, whether by heterosexuals or homosexuals, that might harm a unit or other service members. These include rules against fraternization, abuse of authority, etc. There is no need to create a separate regime like "Don't Ask, Don't Tell, Don't Pursue," which holds gay people to a different standard than heterosexuals and punishes them harshly if they do not lie and dissemble about who they are to their parents, best friends and doctors. People who take the same oath, perform the same duties and incur the same risks in service to our nation should be treated the same.   Robert Maginnis responds: No. Civil servants are not required to share showers and hot bunk with one another. Civil servants can quit their jobs and go home at night. Soldiers are bound by military law to do what they are told. They can't choose roommates or shower mates. The military is not a job but a way of life. It is marked by a general lack of privacy, little individuality, and self sacrifice. Soldiers are expected to adhere to unforgiving organizational values and behaviors. Instead of embracing military culture, 200 years of military experience has found that homosexuals want to subject the military's best interests to their lifestyle choices. That's why the military has long held to the principle statement that "Homosexuality is incompatible with military service."