Are you excited at the potential end of Don't Ask, Don't Tell?

I will be absolutely thrilled if it happens. An idea whose time is way past due.

Of course it’s about time. It never should have been enacted in the first place. The whole fucking discrimination against homosexuality never should have happened. But, better late than never. Although the repeal hasn’t been passed yet.

I have a sneaking suspicion that it will still be a while before it’s repealed.

I apologize for my ignorance, but I wasn’t aware that gays weren’t allowed to openly serve in the military…that’s pretty fuckin’ bad. I hope this changes, too.

I wouldn’t say “excited” is the best word to describe how I feel, more like “anticipatory.” Since serving in the military is about physical and to a certain point mental condition, a person’s sexual orientation has no standing on how one can serve in the military. I think that if this policy is repealed, it will open all sorts of doors. For example, it might not be long before female soldiers are allowed to be in combat situations and to be drafted.

@Symbeline: Strictly speaking, there is no “gay test” to determine if someone is gay or not but if someone is found out to be gay by certain superiors, he/she will discharged.

On another note, I have heard accounts from soldiers who have been in combat or generally dangerous situations that they do not think of gay soldiers or women as anything other than comrades-in-arms when out in the field.

@KatawaGrey I’m curious as to what basis is used to determine if someone is gay or not.

It isn’t just gays, it is LGBT.

@Symbeline: I think it’s just if someone is outed to certain authority figures in the military. I’m sure gay soldiers are “out” to their fellow soldiers and their immediate superiors when in a battlefield situation. I’ve got bunches and gobs of military family members; I’ll ask them.

@Symbeline what basis is used to determine if someone is gay or not.

Here is the current law:

(b) Policy.— A member of the armed forces shall be separated from the armed forces under regulations prescribed by the Secretary of Defense if one or more of the following findings is made and approved in accordance with procedures set forth in such regulations:
(1) That the member has engaged in, attempted to engage in, or solicited another to engage in a homosexual act or acts unless there are further findings, made and approved in accordance with procedures set forth in such regulations, that the member has demonstrated that—
(A) such conduct is a departure from the member’s usual and customary behavior;
(B) such conduct, under all the circumstances, is unlikely to recur;
(C) such conduct was not accomplished by use of force, coercion, or intimidation;
(D) under the particular circumstances of the case, the member’s continued presence in the armed forces is consistent with the interests of the armed forces in proper discipline, good order, and morale; and
(E) the member does not have a propensity or intent to engage in homosexual acts.
(2) That the member has stated that he or she is a homosexual or bisexual, or words to that effect, unless there is a further finding, made and approved in accordance with procedures set forth in the regulations, that the member has demonstrated that he or she is not a person who engages in, attempts to engage in, has a propensity to engage in, or intends to engage in homosexual acts.
(3) That the member has married or attempted to marry a person known to be of the same biological sex.

http://www.law.cornell.edu/uscode/10/654.html#b

As a former military officer, I’m of two minds about this. I don’t think it’s an evenhanded approach if gays aren’t allowed to serve openly, but I don’t want anything standing in the way of “good order and discipline.” I have come to the conclusion that those who don’t want an end to DADTare underestimating the resiliance and adaptability of the average American soldier.
Time to end it.

As I have learned over the last decade, rights for the LGBT community are given and taken away, willy-nilly. I’ll believe it, and be glad for it, when and if it happens. And even if it does, it doesn’t mean it will last.

I’m with @CaptainHarley on this, although I never was ambivalent in my approach.

The concern with officers and service men and women reacting poorly to service members being able to serve openly can only be described as expecting that those who serve in our military would allow their prejudices to interfere with their ability to serve.

We should expect the best from our military, not the worst. Of any segment of society, I believe that if we expect the best from the military, they will give it to us.

Great answer, @iamthemob [ Faints! ] LOL!

@jaytkay Interesting, thanks.

If the struggles of blacks and women to be treated equally (or even be allowed to enter) in the armed forces, then this situation with “don’t ask, don’t tell” is about par for the course. The military often leads the country in terms of integration, but that doesn’t mean they go willingly.

I think it will bring the military back into line with the rest of American society. Rather than being at the forefront of social change and accepting everyone, the military under DADT has been lagging the rest of the country.

If they do this then I would be all for it! Otherwise, I’m whatever…

I think that everyone should have the right to “Life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness” So if gay people want to admit it then they should. Just like gay marriage, if that’s what they want, why not.