Twenty-eight retired generals and admirals have called upon the US Congress to repeal the “don’t ask, don’t tell” law, which finds application in the American military.
In terms of the law, which was signed off in 1993 by President Bill Clinton, servicemen and -women are required to conceal their sexuality or face discharge.
These former military powerhouses are calling for the United States to come into line with Britain and Israel in allowing servicemen and -women simply to carry on regardless. Not insignificant considering that more than 12 000 gay and lesbian soldiers have been forced out since the law came into being.
On the eve of its 14th anniversary, strong calls were made for its repeal from various quarters and protests were heard across the country this past weekend.
Let’s place this into some sort of context:
In the land of the free and home of the brave, the leader of the free world, we have a system that strictly enforces policies that dictate that military personnel cannot pursue a career if their sexuality is wrong, unless they conceal it.
In 2007.
The leader of the free world.
And that is just a miniscule part of it:
The presidential elections have been inundated with “smears” against Hillary Clinton, in the form of her having a lesbian lover.
Condoleezza Rice has also been targeted with rumours of the same in the Times of London over the weekend.
This while in England, Dr Rowan Williams was conducting secret church services wherein gay rights were prominent in case there was some form of retaliation.
In South Africa we have taken the lead in terms of gay and lesbian marriages — but the overwhelming sentiment is still nowhere near what it should be.
In other words, in terms of the highest office, the church and serving one’s country, where sometimes the ultimate sacrifice may be required, in the “freest” democracy in the world, discrimination based on sexual preference is not only tolerated, it’s legislated.
In addition, it is used to discredit political opponents, destroy military careers and deny access to your religion.
In 2007.
This is not some sort of secret, never-to-be-mentioned-in-polite-society doctrine, but rather an institutionalised form of discrimination that is condoned by the general public.
That is what makes it so incredible.
That people can still discriminate in this way, in this day and age, in the United States of America.
And yet we are often asked how genocide can happen, how slavery continues to thrive and how tyrants can be allowed to run riot.
Tolerance!
Tolerance of abuse and discrimination until it has touched us personally.
Condoning homophobia, racism and other disgusting forms of intolerance will touch you.
All you have to do is nothing.
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