Gays in the Military

The United States military should encourage the fact that gays can now openly serve for their country. Gay Americans were not always encouraged to join the U.S. military. In the past, gays were not even allowed to sign up to fight for their country because America made it illegal. Even though this is wrong, people would often use it to their advantage to get out of a draft for war. The United States military up until not to long ago, had a policy of don’t ask don’t tell. Sexual orientation should not matter when it comes to someone fighting for there home land and the people that they love. People should not have to hide anything about themselves, especially when at war. The policy of don’t ask don’t tell often caused more problems than not within the military. Many members of the U.S. military are discharged for being gay. Joseph Rocha enlisted in the army when he was 18 but was banned by law from talking about being gay, essentially hiding his true self from his fellow soldiers. He had become an outcast rather quickly because of the difficult time he had trying to explain to other soldiers why he would not go out and party with them or be part of other soldiers lewd conversations. He was subject to mockery and was forced to admit to his sexual orientation. Because of this, Rocha was forcibly discharged and became very ashamed of himself. The repeal of the don’t ask don’t tell policy still has not changed some situations for gay Americans. Families of the LGB service members still cannot receive benefits, like the families of heterosexual service members. Even though there was a repeal of the DADT policy, other laws still prevent families from receiving benefits solely based on sexual orientation. This is a perfect example of how the repeal will not generate equality in the United States armed forces and the government must do more to boost equality in the military. The repeal of the don’t ask don’t tell policy still has not changed some situations for gay

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