The White House
Office of the Press Secretary
For Immediate Release
September 20, 2012
Statement by the President on the One Year Anniversary of the Repeal of Don't Ask, Don't Tell
A year ago today, we upheld the fundamental American values of fairness and equality by finally and formally repealing ‘Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell.’ Gay and lesbian Americans now no longer need to hide who they love in order to serve the country they love. It is a testament to the professionalism of our men and women in uniform that this change was implemented in an orderly manner, preserving unit cohesion, recruitment, retention and military effectiveness. As Commander in Chief, I’ve seen that our national security has been strengthened because we are no longer denied the skills and talents of those patriotic Americans who happen to be gay or lesbian. The ability of service members to be open and honest about their families and the people they love honors the integrity of the individuals who serve, strengthens the institutions they serve, and is one of the many reasons why our military remains the finest in the world.
That this law was finally repealed is good, but, sadly, it has changed little of the attitudes of others. The same people who supported the legislation are still in power, the same military bosses control the strings of military life.
ReplyDeleteEven after one year there is a long way to go. It needs a mindset change in the way people think before anyone will be able to say this move has worked and we are all better off as a result.
Well we might have to agree to disagree on this. While it is true the some in Congress would like nothing better than to reinstate the policy I think for the most part the military itself has moved on. Whether they totally agree or not they don't want to go back and than have to fight that battle all over again.
DeleteThat being said who could have dreamed it possible even 2 years ago? Plus this year marriage equality laws could win at the ballot in not one but three states. The mindset will change, it's only a matter of time and demographics.
Thanks for the comment !!
My little brother was in boot camp when DADT was repealed. On the drive home, my grandmother (very homophobic) asked about the brainwashing classes the military had made him take. He's never been a very wordy kid, but he answered very sternly, "Gay people are just people. We have to treat everyone fairly, gay or not. We treat everyone with the respect they deserve. Everyone in my unit is a Marine. That's all they taught us and they shouldn't have had to teach us that."
ReplyDeleteI have no idea what the seminars actually entailed because getting him to talk is like pulling teeth, but I was so proud of him. Needless to say, my family members couldn't really argue with that.
Awesome story, thanks.
DeleteLike I said I honestly think the military has moved on, for the most part anyway. You have people (Willard/Ryan) saying DADT should be reinstated but really that would be more of a disaster than anything else. I mean seriously how? Discharge anybody who came out? Tell them okay but you can't talk about it? Impossible.
It's just a matter of time till the rest of the country catches up. Time and younger generations taking control because voting is the key to it all. Say what you want about wingnuts, they vote.