It’s been a long time coming. After 17 years and three presidential administrations, the flawed “don’t ask, don’t tell” policy was repealed Tuesday.
Gay and lesbian military personnel no longer have to fear being discharged. Their sexual orientations no longer looms over their heads as they wait in limbo on whether someone will find out about their personal choices.
While campaigning in 2008, President Barack Obama promised to end DADT. In a presidential term that has been marked by a debt crisis, a failing economy and plummeting employment numbers, the repeal is a sign that not all hope is lost. We can still make strides for gay rights.
During the years, the law morphed into a tool excusing the prejudices of others. A military member can use his or her knowledge of someone’s orientation as bait, potentially digressing into bullying and abuse. The repeal takes power away from the prejudiced and adds a small line of defense for LGBT people, who can now be openly gay and still serve in our military.
Although most will agree the repeal of DADT is positive, it’s not enough. The end of DADT still doesn’t mean health and marital benefits for military members who are in domestic relationships. Those strides can’t come unless domestic partnerships are recognized in all 50 states.
Repealing DADT is a bandage for a scar that won’t heal in this country by changing a law. For now, it’s a temporary solution.
There will still be stigma and tension in the military with those who are not comfortable serving next to a gay military member. Although only a minority of the military agrees with DADT, that minority will be those few who continue bullying and advance prejudice. Now that the policy has been repealed, it’s essential that military leaders facilitate real dialogue between gay and straight members of the armed forces.
The repeal could have major effects in a college setting, where knowing someone’s sexual orientation seems to be a given and cruelty can be that much more vicious. Because of social-media venues such as Facebook and the fact that most people know who is sleeping with whom, hiding one’s orientation never seems to be a concern. Now, ROTC students can have whatever college experience they want, not one that essentially codifies sexual cruelty and prejudice.
This repeal shows the strides that have been made in the gay-rights movement and, hopefully, are indicative of where its headed. Repealing DADT is a step toward more acceptance in this country, but it’s certainly not the end of the battle for tolerance.
Some of the current Republican presidential hopefuls have vowed to revive DADT. In a few years, military personnel again might have to hide their orientations. We can only hope those vile promises are campaign rhetoric, and not genuine policy proposals.
But even if re-enacted, the progress made nationally for gay rights doesn’t have to regress. Now, it’s up to servicemen and servicewomen to set aside politics and prejudice and continue doing what they do best — defending our country.
Editorials represent the majority opinion of The Post’s executive editors.
