The Official End of DADT

[Tarheel]

Today officially ended the DADT policy in practice so I thought that I'd make mention of it since it caused such a huge debate here on the X some time ago.


This website...  http://outserve.org/about/  ...is just for GarMan.

With Repeal Of 'Don't Ask, Don't Tell,' An Era Ends
by Liz Halloran
September 20, 2011

The law that for almost 18 years has banned openly gay Americans from serving in the armed forces will be officially repealed Tuesday, nine months after Congress voted to end the Clinton-era edict.

President Obama signed the repeal into law last December, but its provisions required time for the Pentagon to prepare for the policy change, and for top military officials to "certify" the law's end.

Obama, Defense Secretary Leon Panetta and Adm. Mike Mullen, chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, signed off on the change in July, and set Tuesday as the end of the law that has long been known as "don't ask, don't tell," or DADT.

Repeal means that for the first time in America's military history, service members will be allowed to publicly reveal their sexual orientation without fear of reprisal.
...

Source:
http://www.npr.org/2011/09/20/140605121/with-repeal-of-dont-ask-dont-tell-an-era-ends


And here's the first wedding story of a Naval Officer...and his partner which gives new meaning to an Officer and a Gentleman.

It's complete with pictures!

As Ban Ends, Navy Officer, Partner Wed In Vt.
by The Associated Press
September 20, 2011

Just as the formal repeal of the military's "don't ask, don't tell" policy took effect, Navy Lt. Gary Ross and his partner were married before a small group of family and friends in Duxbury, Vt.

The two men, who'd been together 11 years, decided to marry in Vermont in part because the state is in the Eastern time zone.

That way, they were able to recite their vows at the stroke of midnight — at the first possible moment after the ban ended.

"I think it was a beautiful ceremony".
...

Full Story:
http://www.npr.org/2011/09/20/140620769/as-ban-ends-navy-officer-partner-wed-in-vt?ps=rs

[GH2001]

Today officially ended the DADT policy in practice so I thought that I'd make mention of it since it caused such a huge debate here on the X some time ago.


This website...  http://outserve.org/about/  ...is just for GarMan.


Source:
http://www.npr.org/2011/09/20/140605121/with-repeal-of-dont-ask-dont-tell-an-era-ends


And here's the first wedding story of a Naval Officer...and his partner which gives new meaning to an Officer and a Gentleman.

It's complete with pictures!

Full Story:
http://www.npr.org/2011/09/20/140620769/as-ban-ends-navy-officer-partner-wed-in-vt?ps=rs

So does this mean you and GarMan will be making an announcement today? 

[CCTAU]

And so begins the downfall of the greatest fighting force in the world.

[Townhallsavoy]

Because current gay guys and gay gals of the US military who are already gay will now be able to say they are gay? 

Unless you feel that homosexuals have some kind of innate disability with combat, this shouldn't matter.  This whole story shouldn't matter. 

If they can handle a weapon and complete the necessary training, what's the big deal?

[Tarheel]

So does this mean you and GarMan will be making an announcement today? 

Well, GH, I like GarMan and all but the thought of that is...well...


My parts fit better with a female "partner" quite frankly....dare I say as nature intended...

[Tarheel]

Because current gay guys and gay gals of the US military who are already gay will now be able to say they are gay? 

Unless you feel that homosexuals have some kind of innate disability with combat, this shouldn't matter.  This whole story shouldn't matter. 

If they can handle a weapon and complete the necessary training, what's the big deal?

I think the answers to those questions may have been covered somewhere under this topic:

http://www.tigersx.com/forum/index.php?topic=8630.msg119781#msg119781

Man Up Repealing "Don't Ask Don't Tell"

But, it could be healthy to stir-up that old topic again.

[GarMan]

Because current gay guys and gay gals of the US military who are already gay will now be able to say they are gay? 

Unless you feel that homosexuals have some kind of innate disability with combat, this shouldn't matter.  This whole story shouldn't matter. 

If they can handle a weapon and complete the necessary training, what's the big deal?

From the black-and-white, core, simplistic perspective, you should be correct.  Unfortunately, this is far from over.  As I have stated before, this introduces a mountain of social issues that the military should not have to address.  These issues are distractions that our military can do without.  One such issue is a challenge to extend military benefits to a homosexual service member's partner-of-the-moment.  Of course, girlfriends and fiances of heterosexual service members are ineligible for such benefits.  The homosexual community is not simply a race or gender.  It's a social community...

[Townhallsavoy]

From the black-and-white, core, simplistic perspective, you should be correct.  Unfortunately, this is far from over.  As I have stated before, this introduces a mountain of social issues that the military should not have to address.  These issues are distractions that our military can do without.  One such issue is a challenge to extend military benefits to a homosexual service member's partner-of-the-moment.  Of course, girlfriends and fiances of heterosexual service members are ineligible for such benefits.  The homosexual community is not simply a race or gender.  It's a social community...

Well I agree with all of that.

The other situations we can discuss later.  It should be cut and dry.  Is gay marriage legal?  No?  Not yet?  Fine.  No marriage benefits to your partner. 

But as for making them "keep it secret"?  That's just silly.  If they're gay, they're going to be gay.  It won't stop them from pulling the trigger or saving a man's life in battle.

[GH2001]

Well I agree with all of that.

The other situations we can discuss later.  It should be cut and dry.  Is gay marriage legal?  No?  Not yet?  Fine.  No marriage benefits to your partner. 

But as for making them "keep it secret"?  That's just silly.  If they're gay, they're going to be gay.  It won't stop them from pulling the trigger or saving a man's life in battle.

Would you let a straight guy in the women's lockerroom and have free reign to look at what he is attracted to in there? Of course you wouldn't. But this is pretty much what you are doing with the removal of DADT. Think about it.

[AUJarhead]

Would you let a straight guy in the women's lockerroom and have free reign to look at what he is attracted to in there? Of course you wouldn't. But this is pretty much what you are doing with the removal of DADT. Think about it.

Have you seen the WM's?

But seriously, I agree with you.  And that's been my biggest hang up about the repeal of DADT.  Right now, we have male and female barracks.  Male and female heads.  Will that change?

[GH2001]

Have you seen the WM's?

But seriously, I agree with you.  And that's been my biggest hang up about the repeal of DADT.  Right now, we have male and female barracks.  Male and female heads.  Will that change?

Yep, there's a morale issue there with those who aren't gay.

[Townhallsavoy]

Would you let a straight guy in the women's lockerroom and have free reign to look at what he is attracted to in there? Of course you wouldn't. But this is pretty much what you are doing with the removal of DADT. Think about it.

Gay guys are already in the locker rooms with straight guys.  They just can't admit they're gay. 

I'm not sure what to do about it.  I have my own views on homosexuality which may be deemed unacceptable by some.

But I do believe in human rights.  Gays don't have any innate or inherent traits that inhibit them from functioning in society in the same manner as straight people.  Therefore, I can't support discriminating against them when it comes to the military, marriage, jobs, etc.

[Tiger Wench]

Gay guys are already in the locker rooms with straight guys.  They just can't admit they're gay. 

I'm not sure what to do about it.  I have my own views on homosexuality which may be deemed unacceptable by some.

But I do believe in human rights.  Gays don't have any innate or inherent traits that inhibit them from functioning in society in the same manner as straight people.  Therefore, I can't support discriminating against them when it comes to the military, marriage, jobs, etc.

Well said.

[GarMan]

But seriously, I agree with you.  And that's been my biggest hang up about the repeal of DADT.  Right now, we have male and female barracks.  Male and female heads.  Will that change?

Well, the TigersX Advocates will argue with you on this, but you're actually right on that one.  It's been floating around for a while now.  The idea was always dismissed by the anti-DADT crowd, but even the homos have recently "come out" for the separate barracks and heads. 

[GH2001]

Gay guys are already in the locker rooms with straight guys.  They just can't admit they're gay. 

I'm not sure what to do about it.  I have my own views on homosexuality which may be deemed unacceptable by some.

But I do believe in human rights.  Gays don't have any innate or inherent traits that inhibit them from functioning in society in the same manner as straight people.  Therefore, I can't support discriminating against them when it comes to the military, marriage, jobs, etc.

You're trying paint it as if garman and I are saying they have no human rights. Being open makes this totally different in the barracks. Like jarhead and garman said, separate barracks would solve it.

[AUTiger1]

I think the answers to those questions may have been covered somewhere under this topic:

http://www.tigersx.com/forum/index.php?topic=8630.msg119781#msg119781

Man Up Repealing "Don't Ask Don't Tell"

But, it could be healthy to stir-up that old topic again.

We might as well bring up the mary j legalization thread again too.

[DnATL]

So today's the day that Vandy Vol hit up every recruiting office in Bham and became a real Volunteer

The Navy guy who married his beau - for one night did he bust rank and become a seaman first ass?

[GarMan]

You're trying paint it as if garman and I are saying they have no human rights. Being open makes this totally different in the barracks. Like jarhead and garman said, separate barracks would solve it.

It's not a human rights issue.  As far as I'm concerned, they're equal in virtually every respect, but as you guys have essentially discussed, just because we accept women as equals doesn't mean that all women should start using men's restrooms or all men should start using women's restrooms.  I suppose at some level this could be characterized as discrimination, but situational discrimination is not always wrong. 

[GarMan]

So today's the day that Vandy Vol hit up every recruiting office in Bham and became a real Volunteer

If Vandy volunteers for anything, I'm certain that he'd be more inclined to join the Navy or Coast Gaurd.  Something about all those semen in close quarters... 

[CCTAU]

Oh what the hell. It worked in "Starship Troopers" it should work in real life.