CE: Don't ask don't tell repealed

"Don't ask, don't tell" died on the battlefield of civil rights Tuesday, but the gay and lesbian service members who fought so hard to kill it shied away from raucous celebration."

"They gave me a medal for killing two men, and a discharge for loving one"

     The San Fransisco Chronicle rejoices in the demise of the Don't Ask Don't Tell legislation repealed by Obama on Tuesday. The policy was originally signed into law by Bill Clinton in December 1993. It was considered a progressive step towards gay rights by allowing people to serve without revealing their sexual orientation and preventing any inquisition or questioning by military brass. However, despite the efforts on equality, the policy provided little protection against discrimination, allowing over 14,000 men and women to be discharged from the military.

     This law allowed those with different gender preferences to enlist in the military, but only as long as they were silent about who and what kind of people they loved. I think there are many reasons as to why people disagreed with this law. Straight members of military often were not only allowed to bring their significant others, but encouraged to do so; while gays and lesbians were prohibited to even openly speak about their partners in fear of losing their job. What got to me the most was the glaring hypocrisy of it all. Fifty years ago, people were fighting for our liberty and freedom; giving us the opportunity for equality marriage between people of different skin tones and ethnic backgrounds. But now they promote the same discrimination towards the LGBT community. Does your sexual orientation hinder your ability to serve on the battlefield? No. So why should they be subject to judgment and discrimination when they are giving up their lives for us?

     Fortunately, the long standing ban on openly gay and lesbian service members has finally been lifted. "This is such a seriously wonderful time," San Francisco Mayor Ed Lee said, waiting his turn at the podium Tuesday. "It's kind of like the moment when the Berlin Wall came down. Now we can really use people's potential to their fullest." This monumental acheivement brings us another critical step closer in winning the war towards civil rights.