Introduction
On September 20, 2011, the official policy that outlawed open declaration of one’s sexuality by US homosexual military personnel was lifted by the United States authorities.
The don’t ask, don’t tell (DADT) policy adopted on December 21, 1993, prohibited the country’s military force from acting unfairly against closeted service members or recruits that are not straight, while disqualifying self confession of gay, lesbian, or bisexual individuals in the service. The reservations came to be, following the enactment of the United States federal law, almost two decades ago.
Further, the policy barred individuals who exhibit behaviors that give the impression of engaging in same sex relationships from the military, because tolerating them could water down the effectiveness of the force (O’Keefe, 2011).
But the elimination of DADT is expected to affect the reception of the homosexual community in the country’s armed forces. The paper explores the general implications of lifting the DADT policy in the United States.
Johnson (2011) believes the US congress passed a bill aimed at upholding DADT, during its late 2010 sittings with the aim of seeking an assurance from the head of state, his defense Secretary, and the highest ranking military officials to the effect that the annulment of the policy would not impair the effectiveness of the country’s military personnel.
Further, the bill also provided for two-month period within which the assessment of the situation would be carried out. On July 6, 2011, a federal jury stopped further implementation of the military’s reservations on self confessed or known homosexual soldiers.
The end to DADT policy, adopted by the former president Bill Clinton administration, was on the verge collapse on July 22 2011, when President Barack Obama, Admiral Mike Mullen who is the chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, and Secretary of Defense Leon Panetta officially asked Congress to reconsider its stance (O’Keefe, 2011).
Whereas some Americans still believe the policy was prematurely terminated, others especially the gay soldiers breathed a sigh of relief terming the development long overdue. President Obama expects more votes from the gay community to improve his reelection bid after his reported concern for the sexual rights of the minority group.
One month since DADT was lifted, several military personnel have openly declared on different occasions that they are homosexual (Thompson, 2011). Despite the reprieve, gay rights advocates and military chiefs did not expect a big percentage of soldiers to come out openly about their sexuality, rather they predicted that majority will silently approach colleagues, senior officers, households and pals previously oblivious of their behavior.
It is notable, though; that the latest freedom in military recruiting grounds will be of less concern in terms of the sexuality of the new recruits (Dao, 2011). Other Western states could also tolerate homosexual military officers in future.
Conclusion
Generally, the lifting of the DADT policy in September 2011 motivated gay military officers, who had previously kept their sexuality secret to openly come out and declare their real self. The revocation of the policy immediately triggered more campaigns by gay activists, who are of late openly dishing out free gay literature in military camps.
The magazines contain fine details of gay soldiers. Publishers indicate that the military officers whose particulars are captured in the publications volunteered their respective details, adding that they were full aware that no punitive measure would be targeted at them for their condition.
Provocative and private, literature offering details of how a number of military officers attempted daily, to exercise their patriotism by dedicating their energies to the defense of their nation and suppressing individual burning desire to enter into homosexual relationships.
References
Dao, J. (2011). Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell Ends This Week With Celebrations, Revelations and Questions. New York Times. Web.
Johnson, K.B. (2011). Goodbye to All That. Time, 178(13), 34-35.
O’Keefe, E. (2011). Gay weddings can be performed by military chaplains, Pentagon says. Washington Post. Web.
Thompson, M. (2011). Aye, Aye: Heeding Congress, Navy Reverses Course. Time, 177(21), 14.