Don’t Ask Too Fast

yes, gays are people too and should be treated fairly. however, just because the minority is saying that being gay is just fine doesnt mean it is just fine. i have faults just like every other person does, but i dont sit there blabbing to the world about it. think of it this way, just because a person is a cleptomaniac, we shouldnt sit there and say, "oh you want to steal, you have that urge, so its ok, go steal any and every thing you want and we'll just have to accept it. you were born with that urge and you just cant help it, so we'll just let you steal all our stuff and it'll be ok." thats ignorant. we can accept and love the person, but we do NOT have to accept what they are doing as being right. i for one am so sick of getting all this gay and lesbian crap shoved down my throat as being ok and acceptable. you make the sin out to be whats right and whats right look like the sin (like when leighpc said down a few comments below that "If a heterosexual person has a problem with someone else being gay, they should seek counseling for their attitude problem." we're not the one with the problem....)

We are all Americans fighting for a common good. We should be respecting ourselves and our differences as opposed to judging and condemning our own because they are different. Nobody chooses to be a minority. Our values and ideals should be on a path to overcome oppression for all...... not to find more ways in the name of "religion" to create it. What is the matter with society? This is 2009 and not the Stone Age. There is a lot more to worry about during these modern times than an individual's personal sexual preference. Let's worry about world security, instead, and how we're going to prepare and protect the generations to come. God bless ALL of our troops who stand in harm's way and their families and loved ones! Thank you for what you do!!!

For those of you who say your Christians Know this the bibles Message is LOVE and if you would read your bible and not just look up what you want to know it's sad because we all Sin and the bible says the wages of sin is death not one sin is seen more or lesser to our Father in heaven our job is not to Judge our job is bring as many people to Christ that we can not one of you is Perfect and never will be the Bible tells us this we all fall short and we all sin but God Forgives and if you want to really know the true way fix the problems of this country we all need to get on our knees and pray because the only one that can answer these questons in the one the you all seem to speak about but don't even know some of you bible boys are going to be juged as well and it's not going to come out as you think it will but i don't judge anyone but I love everyone just like my father in heaven and I pray for the ones that they come to Jesus just as they are.

Now as far as the issue at hand be yourself. Someone on here said you don't know who around you is gay and that's true you don't these men are sleeping in the same room as gay men and showering with gay men they just don't know. Also gay men are not attracted to everyone sorry but you don't look that good and they know who is gay true. If a gay man or women wants to serve to give you the freedom that you live today because you not strong enough to go yourself then don't complain you have no room, but if I told you that you couldn't be yourself to do something that you want to do and you still do it guess what your better than the ones that won't.

I am not religious and I dont care what the bible says but there is a certain culture in the United States Armed Forces that can not coexist with openly gay personel. The same goes for women serving in combat roles; it poses as a distraction from the job that is at hand. It also creates a logistical problem having to supply "equipment" for either gender.

The US Military is not the United States. You are not garaunteed certain rights. Servicemen and women are doing specific jobs that could be life threatening and there needs to be as little distraction from those jobs as possible. If you are gay and want to join the military then fine but don't act it or let anyone know.

Sexual orientation is not synonymous with skill or pride. One's ability to have pride in their country and defend our freedom has nothing to do with his or her sexual preference. Having the courage and ability to serve in the military should not be determined by the sex of the person you come home to after that service has been carried out. The military's ability to define a soldier should have nothing to do with orientation and everything to do with a human beings willingness to serve, even die for their country. Some that have died hid their sexual orientation and the one's they love have no legal right to even know that. Gay or straight if you're willing to defend our country than others should not cast judgement without considering themselves to fill that position!

As a gay man I realize that some staight persons may think that gays are seeking out every opportunity to seduce another same sex indivdual. To catch a glimpse of another man in the shower or locker room may be the behavior of some but not for "normal" gay men. As respectful human beings, most gay men who seek respect and trust do not cross lines.Gays have been proving their loyalty to country in the shadows long enough. In this day and age stop insulting gays and their commrades by making this a non-issue. It will benefit us all to dispel "Don't ask don't tell"!

The United States is certainly in the minority regarding our policy of banning openly gay and lesbian military personnel. Of the 26 countries that participate militarily in NATO, more than 20 permit open lesbians, gays, or bisexuals to serve. Clearly, the open service of these individuals is not a liability throughout the majority of the world. By restricting the service of gays in the military, we continue to place ourselves among the ranks of other close-minded countries, such as China and Iran, which we often critisize for the restrictions they place on freedoms. Furthermore, some of the most powerful militaries in history permitted and even embraced gays in the military. It is a well known fact that the ancient Greek and Roman armies were completely accepting of homosexual relationships. In fact, one of the most feared Greek armies, the Thebans, created the Sacred Band of Thebes, which was made up of 150 pairs of male lovers. These pairs of lovers were said to have fought more ardently thanks to their strong bonds.

"Don't Ask, Don't Tell" is not an anti-gay law. It is almost a protection law; if Prvt. Bubba-Jo and Sgt. Catholic don't know you're gay, they can't exactly persecute you for it can they? However, the enlisted personnel as a whole don't care about what's in your wet dreams at night. The only important thing is that the unit work as a whole so everyone always has someone covering their ass. A change, any change, is going to threaten that unity at first because we are human and so feel we must make our voices heard. Opinions will be expressed. With the stress most soldiers are already under, some of the tiniest things can become huge. Units might find themselves split. This is unacceptable for very obvious reasons. The military culture is an extremely conservative one, and asking them to accept a change like this is going to be like asking a dog to meow. Do we really want to do this now when there is so much, so many lives, at stake? The last thing our men and women need is another distraction. How about getting our military home first, then worry about something like this.

It is possible for gays to serve in the military. And, HELLO! They do it now! They are just not allowed to admit their sexual orientation. So you are not stopping them from serving, only preventing them from being open about who they are, and as one commenter said, being able to talk about their loved ones, and show photos, etc. DianaM9 mentioned gays would be 'chasing' the others around. We don't do that! Why do you think that just because we are gay, get us in close proximity with the same sex, and we are going to force ourselves on them? Do you do that if you are around a bunch of guys? Chase them around? WE ARE NO DIFFERENT IN OUR FEELINGS AND ACTIONS THAN HETEROSEXUALS ARE! It is sad that there are men and women in this country that are eager to serve their country, and have a lot of skills and knowledge to bring, but they are turned away because of their sexual orientation.

ANSWER TO GODFOLOWER :

Malachi 1 : 7 For the priest's lip should keep knowledge, and they should seek the law at his mouth.
Malachi 1: 8 But you are DEPARTED OUT OF THE WAY, YOU HAD CAUSED MANY TO STUMBLE at the LAW, you had corrupted the covenant of Levi.
Malachi 1 : 9 Therefore have I ALSO MADE YOU CONTEMPTIBLE AND BASE BEFORE ALL THE PEOPLE, according as you have NOT KEPT MY WAYS, BUT YOU HAVE BEEN PARTIAL IN THE LAWS.


My only question is : Who are you ??? Are you God ???? God is the only one who can judge the people, because God is the only one who can SAVE PEOPLE. God bless you I will pray for you.

What's the problem? For those who want to openly state their sexual preferences have the option of ALL gay units. For those who believe their sexual preferences is no one else's buisness and irrelevent in the situation, then Don't Ask Don't Tell should apply. I am Christian heterosexual and have never been in the service however, I can't believe ithat anyone who VOLUNTEERS to go to COMBAT, expose themselves to DEATH, BODILY INJURY , CHEMICAL POISONING,and PHYSCHOLOGICAL TRAUMA are joining the military as a DATING SERVICE.

It shouldn't matter if they are gay or not gay!!!! It should matter if they have the abilities to do the job required!!!!! We should be focusing on things that really matter like steps needed to end the war and the fighting, the unemployment rate, people with out homes and food - HERE in the united states. And for those who speak of the bible and the "sin", though I am straight and have no problems with people who are gay, some of which are my friends, it is a "sin" they with have to answer for, not me. So I don't want the "sin" I have to answer for is because I "judged" them for the way they were born. With any job interview, a person is given the job based on their ability to do the work required. If ANY person is not able to do the job duties required to be in the military then they shouldn't be there, straight or not, OTHER WISE, this is a CHOICE they should be able to make.

For people questioning whether or not "Gay People" Can or Should serve in the military, should stop and think... Gay people have been serving in the military for decades, you just dont know it and history proves this. They have died for our country, they have fought for our country just like any other military professional. Is their blood any less valuable, is their life that they gave in the name of freedom any less valuale, is their service any less appreciated? Must we, as a Nation turn our back on someone willing and lovingly fighting for our freedom simply because of what they do in their private lives? Showering in the same facility, sharing a room with, becoming friends with a Gay Male or Female will not make you Gay, it will not make you less of a United States Citizen, it will not make you less of a Christian or Religious person, it will not do anything to you!

Not too long ago, African American's were not allowed to serve for one reason and one reason only... and today we would be shocked to hear of such.

People seem to confuse the idea of being Gay and in the military, "as an open dating field." A Gay male or female would no more persue a person of interest sexually any different than a heterosexual would persue someone of the opposite sex? Why are people so scared of a Gay person... you can't be ''turned" by simply being around a gay person and sexual advances are not appropriate in any circumstance, Gay or Straight! People should be adult enough and respectful enough to never make inappropriate advances, regardless of sexual orientation. I don't believe a gay person would act any different than any other person. There's a time and a place for everything.

If we all just relax and allow our Proud Soldiers, Gay, Straight, Male, Female, Black, White, Multi-Racial etc., fight for our freedom and our country, why on earth would we care what that soldier does in the their private life!?!? I thank all Military Personnel for your loyal service and your fight for my Safety and Freedom and think we should welcome with open arms anyone willing to risk their life for mine! Thank you.

Let's end the arguement about "special rights" once and for all. Qualify "Don't Ask, Don't Tell" to state that ANYONE who reveals their sexuality in the military - Gay or Straight - get's booted out. Then ask yourself whether gay people are actually asking for special rights or just the same rights as straight people.

In addition, US troops serve alongside troops from Australia, Canada, Great Britain and New Zealand in a number of locations on multi-national forces world-wide. We in the US military actually have exchange programs that train the soldiers of these countries on our bases and at our facilities. Why is this significant, because in all of these countries, gays are allowed to serve openly and we make no restrictions when they serve or train alongside US Troops or at US Installations. We equally don't make any distinctions when US Troops serve or train at their installations and could in fact be receiving training or serving alongside someone who is openly gay from any one of those countries.

In the Great Britain, all service members are prohibited from engaging in social behavior that undermines the trust, cohesion, and operational effectiveness of the military. Such behavior includes unwelcome sexual attention, offensive displays of affection, or sexual harassment. The policy allows for discretion on the part of the commanding officer to decide what is appropriate. I'd like to think US soldiers are professional enough to perform in a similar manner as our greatest ally. If they aren't, then we may already be at more of a risk from those individuals than we would be from the theorized problems that would result from gays serving openly.

Even Russia and some former Iron Curtain countries (Estonia and the Czeck Republic) allow gays to serve openly. I think perhaps we might want to follow the suggestion of Christopher Dandeker, a noted policy change expert from King's College in London who suggest that rather than "Don't Ask, Don't Tell" we transition to "Don't Fear It, Don't Flaunt It".

If someone saying "I'm Gay" causes you to have an uneasy reaction, is it a problem with them or a problem with you. The arguements made here to not allow gays to serve openly all seemed to be based on peronal fears. "If a gay guy hit on me then someone might think I'm gay." That arguement doesn't hold any more water than if you were to state "If an ugly girl hit on me then someone might think I'm ugly." or "If an African-American girl hit on me, then someone might think I'm in to African-Americans". In neither case are we free to discriminate against "ugly women" or "African-Americans". The responsbility lies with our professional soldiers to state "Thanks, but I'm not interested."

What I do not understand is that you people speak as if there are no gays in the military. There are which in the article it states, ???Don???t ask, don't tell policy." My Fiancé is in the military and he tells me a story about a gay man on the ship, and let me tell you he is as gay as he wants to be, how my fiancé describes, and he still hasn't been kicked out the military because if they don't ask, you don't tell. You don't see straight people on the ship constantly telling people I???m straight so why must we always be reminder that gays are gays. So what they want to commit homosexuality (sin) that???s on them and they will face judgment day with the rest of us as well, which by the way we all are sinners. I'm not condoning anything, frankly I don't oppose for it to be open in the military. If that???s the case they should put men with women as well to, I???m pretty sure that is what will come next because if gays get rights then so should men and women...They should be able to shower together and sleep together as well. This is all a bunch of non-sense if you ask me. All we can do is pray to God that he help us and this nation. A sin is a sin and we all know that and know sin is greater than the next but gays are in the military already why do they want it to be known there gay, so they can feel uncomfortable and straights can feel uncomfortable. Just everyone needs to do their Job and stop fussing. Gays you guys are already in the military but now you want it to be known your gay, come on now!!! Its not that necessary...I guess we all should walk around with signs saying, our sexual preference, our occupation, our age, color, if we have kids(if so how many) and so forth, come on now this is non-sense, again. Please pray for Gods guidance, and grace

Also this is for the person who said, 1 Samuel 18, states that David and Jonathan made a covenant, that doesn't mean that they married each other or they sleep with each other, it means they made a promise, agreement, treaty, just like they man in the military do...They make a promise on brotherhood or sisterhood to love each other like themselves....Meaning if one was wounded on a battle field, if that???s was you, would you get him or leave him to die...Its a friendship(bond) not a marriage...It never talks about them submitting themselves to one another. Come on now, you sure know how to twist the words of the bible. Please seek wisdom and understanding because that is the Devil twisting the meaning around for you and you believing what is not true. David did not marry twice, one to Saul???s son, then his daughter. So do not write on here like you know so much about the bible, please???!