Duffy: Don’t ask my fellow soldiers about ‘Don’t Ask’

I have a lot of opinions. I am sure that we all have a lot of opinions. Why in the world would a big army open up the question of whether to repeal Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell to soldiers?

I was never provided an army-sponsored chance to express my feelings on the Iraq or Afghanistan war. I have never been asked to discuss my feelings on anything, really. I was told that the Army isn’t a democracy and was not able to voice my opinion on anything or anyone I may have had to share my bay, chu, or tent with.

Recently I read that the first submariner females were graduating the naval academy. I missed my chance to comment on that idea. I missed my chance to comment on many things, apparently. It’s not like the Army has a Facebook page designed for servicemembers to comment on how they feel about each sex, each creed and each race. Why is the gay community singled out as a group that it is ok to comment on? Why haven’t I heard much of an uproar against this idea?

Each stage of integrating women and African-Americans throughout the years was undoubtedly met with plenty of opinionated military personnel at all ranks. They made movies such as “GI Jane”and “Men of Honor” to show the opinions and the battles that segments of the population face to be treated equally. There was never a suggestion box for soldiers to place their comments expressing their willingness, or lack thereof, to serve next to others. Integration happened and you had to suck it up and drive on.

I am extremely worried that this process will be used to develop excuses to keep the gay military ban from being repealed. At best, it seems to be a method of garnering support for more separate-but-equal laws like those used outside of the military for marriage and adoption.

I find nothing positive or pleasurable in the idea of being “free” to be a target for discriminatory policies after I am allowed to be out. I would rather stay mute on some important parts of my life and serve than serve while constantly evaluating any new rules or laws that set me apart as something other than a soldier.

Oh, and next time they want to bail out banks… I would like to comment on that too.

‘Michael Duffy’ is the pseudonym of a soldier who formerly served in Iraq.

White House Looks to Include Same-Sex Unions in Census Count

WASHINGTON — The White House said Thursday it was seeking ways to include same-sex marriages, unions and partnerships in 2010 Census data, the second time in a week the administration has signaled a policy change of interest to the gay community.

The administration has directed the Census Bureau to determine changes needed in tabulation software to allow for same-sex marriage data to be released early in 2011 with other detailed demographic information from the decennial count. The bureau historically hasn’t released same-sex marriage data.

The gay community strongly supported President Barack Obama during the 2008 election. But some gay activists say they have been frustrated by what they see as his slow approach to rolling back discriminatory policies.

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House adds same-sex benefits provision for U.S. diplomats to budget proposal

Congress has inserted a provision into the State Department authorization budget that would require the State Department to confer the same benefits to same-sex partners as it does to married couples.

Congressman Howard Berman, Chair of the House Committee on Foreign Affairs, included the provision in the Foreign Relations Authorization Act for Fiscal Years 2010 and 2011 (H.R. 2410) to “end the long-standing practice of excluding the committed partners of Foreign Service officers from the benefits routinely provided to the spouses and children of officers serving abroad.” The provision now must make its way through the budget process, including the conference committee where many-a-well intentioned proposal hits the chopping block. But in this case, it would be hard to imagine that the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, which is lead by Chairman John Kerry and the moderate republic ranking member Richard Lugar, would do anything to strip out this provision.

This would be progress. For too long, gay and lesbian diplomats have had to chose between their families and their service. “I’m happy that efforts to redress these discriminatory policies are being undertaken,” emails Michael Guest a former Foreign Service officer currently affiliated with the Center for Global Equality. “This is all about ensuring the safety, effectiveness and equal workplace conditions for those who serve our country abroad, and for the families who accompany them on those assignments.” Amen!

House adds same-sex benefits provision for U.S. diplomats to budget proposal
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