'Bring back DADT' post: Personal update. See below

Recently, a wide search of the genome has given significant or close to significant linkage values with regions 7q36, 8p12 and 10q26, which need to be studied more closely. Deviation in the proportion of X chromosome inactivation in mothers of homosexuals seems to favor the presence of genes related with sexual orientation in this chromosome.

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/19961060

Our model predicts that homosexuality is part of a wider phenomenon in which recently evolved androgen-influenced traits commonly display gonad-trait discordances at substantial frequency, and that the molecular feature underlying most homosexuality is not DNA polymorphism(s), but epi-marks that evolved to canalize sexual dimorphic development that sometimes carryover across generations and contribute to gonad-trait discordances in opposite-sex descendants.

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/23397798

Well we are already going to disagree I can tell, but that is okay. That's what this place is for. If you ever have the desire to read about neuroscience then I can send you a few, and I find quite interesting articles, that are scientifically supporting that it is NOT A CHOICE. But I think what you are more looking to debate is the bringing back of DADT. I do not think we should. I believe moving forward and accepting human beings as they are, as long as they are not hurting others, is something we should do. Especially if they are willing to serve, and die for their country. I would rather have the willing and motivated shipmate next to me , that feels comfortable being who they fundamentally are around me, hands down any day. We should always strive to move forward as a culture and treat each other equally.

I think a lot of people think there is going to be this big 'outing' and people flaunting their gayness, but you forget that we're in the military. Has anyone witnesses first hand someone gay or lesbian that’s flaunting themselves during duty hours? Gays & lesbians don't feel that this is something they should have to disclose even though the policy allows them to serve openly without fear or reprisal. Straight people don't have to disclose their orientation. Just like you and me they want to bring their family to family events, they want to put family pictures on their desk. I mean are they actually coming up to you and saying, 'Hi, there, I'm gay (lesbian)’.

Privacy, there were privacy issues before DADT, during DADT and after the repeal of DADT. I hear “well I don’t want them looking at me when I’m in the shower, it’d make me uncomfortable if I knew they’re gay”. (When I use the word gay I am referring to both genders for the sake of having to type extra keystrokes). First of all did you ask if they were gay, did they come and tell you they were gay? So why in the hell would you be uncomfortable? Or was an assumption made and you just thought they were gay and made you uncomfortable anyways? What in the world made you think they were looking at you in the shower or in your room or checking you out as you walked by? Who says they were doing any of those things? That being said wouldn’t that make it a violation of SHARP under today’s standards, because it does apply to EVERYONE right?

Separate facilities, I hear this a lot, we’ll just make separate facilities. The creation of a third or possibly fourth category of bathroom facilities and living quarters, whether at bases or forward deployed areas, would be a logistical nightmare, expensive and impossible to administer. Separate facilities would stigmatize gay and lesbian Service members in a manner reminiscent of 'separate but equal' facilities for blacks prior to the 1960's.

Now should gays be a special military class, no. Everyone in the military must abide by the same UCMJ, SHARP, EEO, conflict resolution, and ethics and whatever else is out there. Should there be a different diversity program, no, but I hear that June is going to be Pride Month. Okay, so there’s a Pride month, whoopey f***ing deal. Is it really going to affect you that much? The history of these cultural and heritage observances we currently have celebrates & sheds light on the achievements minority groups have made in a country where they often faced discrimination. Let’s call it what it really is “hey all this month is for you, we know we gave you a crappy time and made it unbearable at times while you served, so we hope this makes up for it”.

I got friends who are gay, even had a roommate who was gay during DADT. We’re having a conversation and I asked him ‘is it that hard to hide that you’re gay’? I told him don’t worry, I’m not telling anyone, this is just me and him talking. But the look on his face said it all, his heart stopped, face frozen in fear, muscles tense, color running from his face and starting to sweat profusely. I didn’t have to worry about him being my roommate, we were clear we weren’t each others type. Change takes time, but yet intolerances & stigmas are still going to be there no matter how many times you recite the Army Values, read your bible or make policies. These same intolerance exist out there in the real world, why should the military be different.

Maybe we can now move on to issues more pressing to the military, like PTSD recognition and treatment, the stress of multiple deployments, assistance for disabled service members, unemployment rates for veterans, the rise of heterosexual sexual assault among the troops, blue on blue violence and the high suicide rate.

PO1 (Join to see) I'm sorry I had to down vote you this. It's only the 3rd time I've ever done it, but I don't believe this mentality has anyplace in today's military. We are changing and everyone needs to get on board or get out. Some may have personal opinions, and that is okay to have, but we cannot advocate going backwards in time to reverse the will of the people. It's just not right.

You are incredibly ignorant and uneducated. Your pathetic attempt to spin inaccurate data falls woefully short. Being gay is a choice, just like being heterosexual is a choice. Oh wait, you didn't choose to be straight. The only choice here, is your daily choice to be a bigot and stick your nose where it doesn't belong. It's 2014. If you can't handle a gay soldier looking out for your best interests, leave the Army and join the corporate world. But warning: corporate America expects you to tolerate your co-workers too!

No we should not bring back don't ask don't tell. Someone's sexual preference should have nothing to do with the military and I am glad that it's gone. I have two gay soldiers, one is married and his husband is our FRG leader. I am sure some people have an issue with it, but you know what? They both do a good job at what they do and their sexual preference has nothing to do with it.

Whether it's a choice or not, people are allowed to celebrate whatever they like. If you don't want to talk about gay pride, don't engage in the conversation. So what if they have a parade? In what way does it inconvenience you? In fact, it makes just as much sense to celebrate sexual preference as it does celebrating ethnicity, in that it makes none. Both were genetic accidents and you had no hand in accomplishing anything pertaining. Calling it a choice or invoking your version of morality doesn't detract from their right to self-expression.

Problem with DADT and DOMA etc is that it in application to the military did not allow people to be their true selves. I personally do not care what someone does in their own home, on their own time, as long as it is legal.

The fact that people were discharged for it was pretty stupid. DADT was pretty moronic as chances are you knew anyways. People having to live in fear of others finding out or being mad and reporting it is no way to work and live a life.

SGLI and Death Gratuity was never an issue because you can allot that to anyone, but benefits not being able to be had by the other partner is pretty low. They face the same hardships as a straight service member on deployment and their significant other, worry, fear, why deny them the ability to be recognized?

One of my best friends and one the by far best 2LT's I have seen came out that he is gay and got married. If I had to deploy somewhere and he was in my AO I would worry much less than some hyper straight incompetent idiot. You would never know this guy was gay, unless he told you or you saw him with his husband. He told me right after DADT was appealed and took his then boyfriend to the Mil Ball. A few cadets had some issues with it, including by far one of the worst LTs I have seen. I told the guy then, it is army policy, deal with it or get out. And for finality, I would never want to deploy anywhere with you ever and would go downrange with him without any reservations.

The American public makes this a bigger deal than it is, a marriage in the eyes of the government is a contract between two consenting adults largely for tax purposes. Denying it is denying someones pursuit of happiness. Don't like gay marriage don't get one. On the other hand, the church has their say and gay couples can work that aspect of the wedding out on their own.

Bottom line is incoming bullets don't care about orientation, neither do I. I do care if it is paraded or used as a status symbol and distracts soldiers and NCO's from mission readiness and as long as that doesn't happen I am fine with it. To each their own.

Summary: Relationship and Orientation matters belong at home. No one needs that, they need to be training or self studying.

As an openly gay soldier since before the repeal of DADT (I have the luxury of being in an incredibly close unit whom I consider family, others aren't so fortunate), the fact that this statement was made astounds me. Tell me how, since September 2011, the repeal has caused so much distress in your life or in the military that you think it should be reinstated? DADT was an unconstitutional policy that deliberately targeted one social minority. There's literally no reason for us to be living in a modern society while maintaining a primitive distaste for something completley normal just because it's not fully understood. It's nothing that causes harm to people, it's nothing that is negative in any way; the only thing that makes it negative is the mindset you have. I suggest you stop that mindset and get with the times. It's 2014, gay is nothing new. Focus on your troops and make sure they receive the best, unbiased, indiscrimate leadership and training.

I'm happy to have served with, AND currently serve with homosexual Soldiers. The very definition of, and expectations of a Soldier are clearly outlined in more regulations than I can shake a stick at, and until the actions of any Soldier violate those regulations what they do in their off time or in their bedrooms is irrelevant to the Unit, Army, or the Nation.

What's the next logical step PO1 Dronzin? What if my wife and I decide to support contraceptive use, and attend a Trojan brand condom rally, and you find that choice offensive due to either your religion or upbringing. Do we begin to regulate that?

I think it would behoove all to focus on developing the next generation of Soldiers and meeting our mission.