Yes, but no, but yes, but ...

October 27, 2010

It is a pitiful bickering that is taking place in the United States. Homosexuals want to serve as soldiers, but are not allowed. Or are they? Lesbians and gay men have to abide by the so-called "Don't ask, don't tell" policy. This means that superiors do not ask about the sexual orientation of the soldiers, but they in turn are not allowed to talk about it, on pain of being sacked.
A few days ago a district court in Los Angeles declared an injunction prohibiting any punitive measures against outed soldiers. The judge argued that the policy infringes the fundamental right to freedom of expression. Therefore, the recruitment offices of the army were instructed to "deal with applications of openly gay or lesbian applicants". Shortly afterwards an appeals court overturned the verdict, so that suspensions would be allowed again. And these are standard practice indeed. Since 1993 more than 14,000 lesbians and gays had to quit their service in the army. But now, Defense Secretary Robert Gates decided that from now on only a few high-level dignitaries in the Pentagon may decide on suspensions. The Obama administration wants to abolish the ban of homosexuals, and in May, the U.S. House of Representatives and the Senate Armed Services Committee voted for the abolition of the ban. But in September, the Senate blocked a final decision and postponed a vote indefinitely.
But why are homosexuals in the army are still unwanted by some? Probably some superiors are afraid that the troops will be mollycoddled; that fights will not take place on the battlefield, but in bed; that there is shooting, but from the wrong barrels. And last but not least, gays were guilty of the massacre in Srebrenica.
With so much homophobic prejudice and rejection, I wonder why gays want to join the army at all? Of course, it is up to you where and whom you want to serve. But state-legitimated violence always leads to abuses, and too often under the pretext of defending freedom and human rights these very values have been violated and people killed. And I, as a freedom-loving and peaceful chicken, cannot reconcile that with my conscience. I'd prefer pillow fights in bed, and in the end all parties achieve victory. So, go in and win!

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