Over the Rainbow: - Wrestling With Angels

ecruits could not be questioned about their sexual orientation by commanding officers, and
gays and lesbians serving should not come out of the closet.
Those who argue against the normalization of homosexuality in the military contend that:
* discrimination based on sexual orientation cannot be equated to race because sexual
orientation outlines changeable and chosen behaviors rather than innate characteristics;
* the presence of gays in the close environment of the military in foxholes, showers, and
sleeping quarters invades the privacy rights of heterosexuals;
* the military is not the appropriate place for a ‘social experiment’;
* straight service members would fear sexual harassment and sexual overtures by openly gay
and lesbian service members;
* AIDS will increase with the presence of gay service members and blood transfusions in
combat will be made risky; and
* sexual behaviors between gays and lesbians would undermine morale.
Gay activists argue against these concerns contending that several scientific studies indicate
that there may be a biological link to sexual orientation, and that gay and lesbian inclusion is
not a social experiment, as gay and lesbians already work and live with heterosexuals
throughout society. Gay and lesbians also serve In the military and discrimination against them
is wrong. Gay advocates argue that military regulations already prohibit individual sexual
activities and open displays of affection while on duty,and that penalties for inappropriate
sexual behaviors are already in effect.
The Military in the New Millennium
In 2007 retired Army General, John M. Shalikashvili, spoke out for reconsideration of the
ban against openly gay men and women in the military. In noting that President Bush had
called for a long-term plan to increase the size of the armed forces, Shalikashvili suggested that
the time had come to give this policy serious reconsideration. He noted that in a Zogby poll,
three quarters of 500 service members returning from Afghanistan and Iraq said “they were
comfortable interacting with gay people.” He commented, “Our military has been stretched
thin by our deployments in the Middle East, and we must welcome the service of any American
who is willing and able to do the job” (Shalikashvili, 2007).
In October of 2009 President Barack Obama spoke at the annual national dinner of the
Human Rights Campaign, the US’s largest gay advocacy group, reaffirming his commitment to
end the ban against gays openly serving in the military. Obama had run a campaign strongly
supportive of gay rights in society, however gay activists were frustrated at his failure to take
Over the Rainbow: The Gay Battle for Social Reorganization of America. 2010
Dr. M. L. Coppock
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