Since "Don't Ask, Don't Tell" was repealed by Congress on Saturday, all the pundits have had a lot to say about it. Well, so have you.
Here are some of your thoughts:
I am always struck by the question of the clergy in regards to DADT being repealed. No one seems to worry how they handle supporting troops that break that other law that is considered the back bone of many religions, Thou shall not kill.
-JulJo from Brooklyn
This is huge! I am not in the military, I am a 40+ lesbian mother of 2. I feel like this the first step on the road to everything else for gay rights. It is the first time the federal goverment truly recognized gays/lesbian as an actual group of people. Prior to the vote, many homophobic people prefer to maginalize gays/lesbians as just people that CHOOSE to have sex with same sex partners. I think this will lead to the recognition of gay/lesbian families now that it is not hidden. Now that gay/lesbian people can be seen as heroes, it will become quite difficult to continue to deny that their families exist, should be valued and deserve all the same benefits. I also think an inadvertant consequence is that the military may become a haven for gay/lesbian youth, who are not supported by their families because of their sexual orientation, they actually choose the military so that they will have place to live, 3 square meals, training, get paid, contribute to the country and be valued. I think it is great!
-Ruth from Brooklyn
Well this is nice to give gays and lesbians full access to our military-socialism economy...but this is still a classic class war move. Last week the government passes a huge handout to the rich that will redistribute billions upward and then this week they give us this cultural policy win. Well, I have a nice warm fuzzy feeling now but I don't think I can pay my student loans with warm fuzzies. -Marc
I'm calling because I'm concerned about what may be some of the same problems that women and other minorities are having in the military right now, not that I am not for homosexuals being integrated into the military, but I know from what I've been hearing all the time that women get sexually harrassed by men in the military, including rape, and I think the problem is being underestimated. People talk about gay people harrassing straight guys, but I think more of the problem will be straight guys harrassing gay people because a lot of our voluntary enlistments are from conservative parts of the country.
-Ivonne from Park Slope calling in to the Brian Lehrer Show
I think it is funny that the people most for the repeal are those that would never serve their country. You will find that the Gays that serve are conservative people, honorable people that love America.
-John
I fail to see how repeal of DADT can be distracting to troops on the battle field. Does’t the army train you not to be distracted on the battle field? When people are shooting at you are you really concerned about the sexual orientation of the person next to you?
-Leta from Times Square
Why do homophobes think or believe that all gays and lesbians are attracted to each and every other person of his/her gender? We're just as discriminating in our choices as everyone else!
-Tom from Upper West Side
I'm gay, and most of my gay friends see the repeal of DADT as an obvious thing to do. I'm frankly underwhelmed, however, that it took so much effort for our country just to allow the gay and lesbian community to openly participate in war (hooray?). My focus has been and continues to be on marriage equality. Let's get it done.
-Tanner from Brooklyn
"Don't ask, don't tell" ordered military security to stop enforcing the ban on gays. But the ban still existed, and continued to be enforced, if somewhat surreptitiously. DADT is an ambiguous catchphrase. We're not asking security to resume enforcing the ban openly. Better to say, "Stop banning us," or "Let gays serve."
-Viki from Harlem
The fear of pushback and harassment of GLBT service members is fair, and while it's true that there may be some initial surge in anti-gay behavior, that doesn't take into account the positive effect of soldiers coming out. As people are able to speak openly about their sexuality with their peers, this will undoubtedly have a mitigating effect and allow those with conservative views to work through and potentially reevaluate their beliefs.
-Alan from Jersey City
I was an army officer in the early to mid 90's when DADT was implemented. It was my responsibility to train my troops on that policy and so I can recognize that now the new policy will come into affect and will fall on those junior leaders. And in the comment earlier, 'just deal with it,' it's a little simplistic but in essence that's the beauty of military service. You can be ordered to adjust your conduct and that will happen.
-Dave from Morris County calling in to the Brian Lehrer Show