Do Not Own
Don't Ask, Don't Tell has finally been repealed. Its been a long time coming, and this will change the lives of many men and women. This doesn't mean things will be altogether better and there is still a long way to go...but it's a step. A small step, but a step, and that's the main thing. You can read this AOL article if you wish to know more about the details. The following guest posts on the topic of this repeal have been written by our author co-founders, Catherine Ryan Hyde and Lee Bantle.
-Lauren
Do Not Own
Well, I think I'll be echoing the sentiments of a lot of people with what I have to say.
I think this is great, momentous, and deserves celebration. So long as we don't forget that we still haven't repealed the Defense of Marriage Act, or passed the Employment Non-Discrimination Act. And that by ending the ridiculous and discriminatory DADT, we have won a victory for the LGB community, but not for our T friends. Then again, we have to start somewhere. When the military doesn't fall apart, maybe people will calm down a little, or at least run short of excuses to discriminate. And maybe it will create a domino effect. I hope so.
I think it is lost on the conservative and homophobic realms of the straight community how much harm is caused by institutionalized prejudice. It's one thing if the bully down the block thinks it's wrong to be gay, but when it's your government, it's really daunting. Especially to young people, who are just discovering and (hopefully) accepting themselves, and who I would really like to see not killing themselves anymore.
So, one way or another, it's a good day for equality. It's just not the last of the good days we need to work for, win and celebrate.
-Catherine Ryan Hyde, author of Jumpstart the World
The repeal of don’t ask – don’t tell is a landmark shift. If you can be gay in the military, then you can be gay anywhere. No employer can justify discrimination based on sexual orientation if discrimination in the military is unlawful. We should soon see passage of a federal law barring discrimination based on sexual orientation. Let’s whoop and cheer and sing. We are truly going to ring in a new year!!!
-Lee Bantle, author of David Inside Out
3 comments:
I have no comment.
I don't know why gay people are treated any differently than straight people. They love, bleed, die. They have families who love them. What doesn't make sense is the governments ability to say they aren't guaranteed the same rights as straight people; to marry the partner of their choice, to use or have the same benefits, to serve if they chose to serve. We've finally taken one step closer to equality with the repel of don't ask, don't tell.
Dottie
Ladystorm: That's quite fine.
Dottie: I definitely agree with your assessment. It doesn't make sense to me either, and I'm certainly glad we are moving forward. It's a small step...but it's an important one. I just hope it brings about more change for the better
-Lauren
Post a Comment