I was pleased to discover my colleague’s recent editorial, “Your Right To Be Gay”; a commentary on the 'Don't Ask, Don't Tell' issue that is as concise and in-your-face as the title itself. I found it impossible to disagree with the main arguments presented and felt further obligated to recognize their validity after reading the criticisms that the editorial had already received.
The comparison of segregation in the past to the rights of homosexuals in the military today is an interesting perspective that not many people consider. Both situations involve challenging a long-standing design, and the individuals who already endure discrimination must also withstand the struggle necessary to overcome the prejudice. The point that this similarity makes is indisputable, but one difference between the compared situations (that perhaps weakens the main argument) is the choice associated with disclosing one’s sexual orientation. In other words, African Americans who experienced segregation in the 1950’s had no choice but to do so. Homosexual orientation, on the other hand, is not as obvious as one’s race, so instead LGBT individuals in the military struggle with accepting the injustice that is feeling pressured to choose the hidden lifestyle. Regardless, in both situations individuals are being subjected to discomforts that essentially degrade their ability to pursue happiness. Not to mention the frustrating irony of DADT blatantly degrading the ability to pursue happiness for people who defend this right and everyone's ability to enjoy it safely.
An additional point to consider is the importance of whether or not the delay in repealing Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell is actually due to the given reason of the military not being prepared for implementing it. It is not unheard of for the ulterior motives of political parties to become the civil injustices of the people, and the abundant evidence of such motives recently is hard to disregard.
