Gays in the Military
Should Gays and Lesbians be allowed in the military?
COM/215 Essentials of College Writing
February 28 2011
Government Policy
During the 1992 presidential campaign the previous Arkansas Governor Bill Clinton addressed the issue of gays in the military. “It became one of the first issues Clinton tackled as President, but when the White House attempt to unilaterally repeal the ban stumbled, Congress passed a law to keep openly gay men and women from serving” (Webley, 2010, p. 1).
On September 20, 2011 President Obama lifted the ban on gays in the military. “The change will allow service members to be open about their sexual orientation” (Youssef & Tate, 2011, p. 1). Some limitations and apprehensions about gays in the armed forces center on military effectiveness, unit cohesion, and combat operations. There is a high probability for potential moral, legal and ethical challenges such as “housing allowances, health care for spouses and children, or support for their families during overseas deployments” (Youssef & Tate, 2011, p. 1).
Married gay and lesbian couples will not be able to receive all traditional military benefits provided to heterosexual couples because of government regulations. “Title 10 of the Uniform Code of Military Justice, written 30 years ago, only recognizes spouses of the opposite sex. In the Defense of Marriage Act, which Clinton signed in 1996, which prohibits the federal government from recognizing same-sex marriages” (Youssef & Tate, 2011, p. 1).
Government policy dictates that gays and lesbians can serve in the military. Every person should be afforded the same equal rights and lifting the ban on gays and lesbians in the military is a step toward equality. Gays and lesbians are part of the military community and are proud to serve the United States. The Los Angeles times published an article and quoted Petty Officer Virginia Hansen as saying ‘Being able to wear our uniforms shows that it 's not just straight people
COM/215 Essentials of College Writing
February 28 2011
Government Policy
During the 1992 presidential campaign the previous Arkansas Governor Bill Clinton addressed the issue of gays in the military. “It became one of the first issues Clinton tackled as President, but when the White House attempt to unilaterally repeal the ban stumbled, Congress passed a law to keep openly gay men and women from serving” (Webley, 2010, p. 1).
On September 20, 2011 President Obama lifted the ban on gays in the military. “The change will allow service members to be open about their sexual orientation” (Youssef & Tate, 2011, p. 1). Some limitations and apprehensions about gays in the armed forces center on military effectiveness, unit cohesion, and combat operations. There is a high probability for potential moral, legal and ethical challenges such as “housing allowances, health care for spouses and children, or support for their families during overseas deployments” (Youssef & Tate, 2011, p. 1).
Married gay and lesbian couples will not be able to receive all traditional military benefits provided to heterosexual couples because of government regulations. “Title 10 of the Uniform Code of Military Justice, written 30 years ago, only recognizes spouses of the opposite sex. In the Defense of Marriage Act, which Clinton signed in 1996, which prohibits the federal government from recognizing same-sex marriages” (Youssef & Tate, 2011, p. 1).
Government policy dictates that gays and lesbians can serve in the military. Every person should be afforded the same equal rights and lifting the ban on gays and lesbians in the military is a step toward equality. Gays and lesbians are part of the military community and are proud to serve the United States. The Los Angeles times published an article and quoted Petty Officer Virginia Hansen as saying ‘Being able to wear our uniforms shows that it 's not just straight people
References: Brocco, M (2012). An international suggestion for LGB family benefits after the repeal of "Don 't Ask, Don 't Tell" Owens, T. (2012). The case against gays in the military. Open homosexuality would threaten unit cohesion and military effectiveness parade. Los Angeles Times. Retrieved October 6, 2012 from http://articles.latimes.com/2012/jul/22/local/la-me-gay-military-20120722 Thompson, M., Washington (2010). Congress resumes battle over gays in the military. Retrieved October 23, from