Wednesday, July 1, 2009

Don't Ask Don't Tell and the Military Culture

I know I am a hypocrite. It is who I am. I live in tension as I view it.

So, I had to respond to Richard Cohen's column in the Washington Post the other day. As a quick response, DADT does create some sort of horror. Yes, integrating the military back in Truman's day was difficult. However, the gulf between America, which overall supported the military, and today was much narrower.

The military culture today is professionalized. And it has grown more insular. Just look at where most military members come from. They are from the South. They are heavily Republican and Evangelical. They look nothing like America itself.

Thus, the gains made in acceptance of LGBT individuals in many other areas (although the T part probably still has a ways to go) is nowhere near as widespread in the military.

That said, perhaps we should get rid of the law. But, we should be fully cognizant of the distinct culture that has grown in the military.

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