Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell or do ask, do tell? There is a big controversy between gay, lesbian, and bisexual service members being allowed to be openly gay in the military. The “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell” policy was recently repealed and many people are being affected. 

The “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell” policy was a compromise between President Bill Clinton and the opponents of the repeal in Congress. If a person shows their homosexuality publicly, military commanders can assume that they intend to engage in homosexual conduct.

With the passing of the “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell” policy, many service members were fired and many were outraged at the discrimination. Now that “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell” has been repealed, many people are happy to have their rights back, while others are angry and hoping for “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell” to be put back into action.

             “‘The Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell’ policy is ridiculous and an insult to individuals because this is supposed to be a free society; no one should have to hide who they really are. I think it’s a step in the right direction for the military, but we shouldn’t have had to deal with this situation in the first place. No citizen, going to fight for the freedoms of our country, should have to censor themselves from the people they are fighting to protect,” stated junior Lanae Rothe.

            People have mixed feelings about the “Don’t Ask Don’t Tell” policy. It causes conflict between people’s moral beliefs and their religion.

“I believe in the Bible and what is says in the scriptures. It should be a man and a woman together, not a man and a man. The Bible says it’s a sin. If you believe in the Bible, then you believe in it,” stated junior Codey Hancock.

            “I believe in the Bible. I believe that the bible says homosexuality is a sin, but that doesn’t mean I can’t accept people. I’m not going to judge people,” stated junior Jesiah Stedman when asked about his opinion on gay rights.

Many students agree that more and more Americans are becoming more accepting of gays, lesbians, and bisexuals in the community. Because of the support from so many people, more gays, lesbians, and bisexuals are becoming more confident to come out and be themselves. Many students also agree that there are still limits that shouldn’t and can’t be crossed because of their sexual orientation.

            “They should have the same rights, they’re not any different,” stated junior Camille Semons.

            People are concerned with peoples sexual orientation because, in the military they are around other men and women constantly. They don’t want to believe that people are different. They believe that to solve problems some things should be better left unsaid. These secrets are causing people to hide who they really are. People have different opinions on the rights that gays should have and shouldn’t have. 

            “I think it’s awesome that they want to go serve our country, but with military showers right next to each other, they might get the wrong idea. I feel like gays shouldn’t be able to be in the military,” stated junior Codey Hancock.”

            “Be who you are. People shouldn’t have to change because of other people. Just because they’re not the same as everyone else doesn’t mean they have to change like them to make other people happy,” stated junior Karrah Barger.

Gay and Lesbian members of the armed forces have been fighting side by side since the United States Armed Forces began. Gays are already in the military, they just aren’t allowed to be openly gay. Since the addition of “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell, many men and women had to leave the military against their will.

“If people weren’t so corrupt and closed minded then we wouldn’t have to have it in the first place. It helps protect them,” stated senior Nicole Johnston.

            The military admits hundreds of convicted felons every year into the military but there are limits for gays and lesbians. Students understand that gays, lesbians, and bisexuals are still people and shouldn’t be treated differently, but they still are not treated equally.

            “I think it’s good that people are more accepting and not so stern and stubborn just because it’s in words in a book,” stated junior Karrah Barger.

            “Everyone should be able to do their thing. I don’t see how it’s an issue. It’s not relating to them at all; they’re putting their life on the line for the country,” stated senior Laura Nash.

 “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell” has let many gays, lesbians, and bisexuals be able to serve in the military, but only by hiding and disclosing their orientation. Its repeal has allowed many gays and lesbians to now begin openly serving in the military. Will the controversy over “Don’t Ask Don’t Tell” ever be solved or will it just be left alone?