Gays In The Military - Essay Example

Gays in the Military of the of the Concerned February 16, 2009 Gays in the Military Since times immemorial, the military services have been a cherished domain of the heterosexual males. The traditional attributes of military service like courage, continence, pride and integrity, no doubt stand to be so synonymous with the straight masculinity that the words gay and military do not seem to go well together. In the general American perception, the scope for inculcation of gays in the military service gives way to many doubts and apprehensions. The very word gay surely tends to open the possibility of unrestrained incontinence and corruption into the military service. Should the military service, the last bastion of the heterosexual masculinity and pride be specifically impervious to any likelihood of gays serving in the armed forces? The proposal invites relevant pros and cons. The contemporary trend towards liberalism and scientific rationalism has made the things both simple and complex at the same time. With the onslaught of AIDS, Hepatitis C and other such deathly maladies, any possibility of gays serving in the army has got enveloped in even darker and debilitating ramifications. This has even further bolstered the resistance to the entrance of gays in the military service. Infact the issue is fraught with serious and genuine medical, psychological, legal, human and institutional risks (Wolinsky and Sherrill, 2004, p.4). The traditional reluctance of the military towards allowing gays to serve in it is based on the time tested and deeply emotive biblical values that delineate the role of men and women in the society. However, the much criticized ban that prohibited the entrance of gays in the military service, about 50 years ago, drew validity from the fact that at that time, homosexuality was recognized to be a psychological aberration and thus the military was right and logical in pursuing a policy of culling out gays from the ranks of interested applicants (Showver, 2005). Still, the most current reality is that in the 70s, both the American Psychological Association and the American Psychiatric Association deleted homosexuality from their list of recognized mental illnesses (Showver, 2005). Therefore, psychologically speaking, there does not seem to exist any reason as to why gays may not be allowed to serve in the military. The standard objections raised against gays serving in the military definitely invite validity and concern in a professional context. It is a known fact that in the military, the personnel are required to lodge and serve in close vicinity and it is considered normal to witness one’s mates undressed. Hence the gays, who may find their naked colleagues sexually attractive, may hamper and jeopardize the general efficiency and effectiveness of the straight soldiers, who definitely constitute a majority. Yet, this argument may sound sexist to some, for being based on the premise that gays are generally pervert, incontinent and are devoid of any psychological and sexual restraint. In such a scenario, it gets really problematic to decide upon which side is right. The supporters of gay rights hold that such objections amount to blatant discrimination and prejudice against gays and lesbians. On the one side, the need for discipline and efficiency in the military service certainly do not allow for any neo-liberal experimentation, but on the other side, any possibility of inbuilt prejudices and discrimination in the exalted military ethics and conduct may deprive it of worthy and talented soldiers, who may be gay (The Record, 1993, p.1). In an idealistic context, an all inclusive and a broad based progress of the society may qualify a staunch rebuttal of so called homophobic arguments and reasons (The Record, 1993, p.1). Yet, it is also a fact that the survival of the American society and way of life depends on the quality and battle worthiness of its soldiers that cannot be sacrificed at the altar of gay rights. Especially more so in the contemporary times, when the US army is under the scanner of many global terrorist organizations, who are desperately scouting for tracing any chinks in its armor. “Assuming that our military leaders are not ready to assume the role of chief nanny for the troops, it should be obvious that this issue has to be decided neither by economics, privacy or efficiency. Instead we must confront it on the basis of civil rights (Wall, 1993, p.2).” The proponents of civil rights argue that gays are often subjected to a more than average harassment and disciplinary action in the military. It is also true that time and again people come across media reports covering instances of violence and abuse against the gays serving in the military. Perhaps this may be true, perhaps the military may be following its standard procedures that at least theoretically do not discriminate. Still, the basic fact is that the military is not supposed to be the fountainhead of civil rights, but the protector of civil rights. The society cannot and should not push the military to compensate for its unresolved issues. Gay rights is an issue that first needs to be resolved on a social and political platform. Giving in to the possibilities of compromising on the combat preparedness of the US army for just forwarding gay rights does not sound pragmatic and sane. It will be interesting to go through the statistics related to the issue. US census data published in 2004 revealed that the gays comprised more than three percent of the US military (United Press International, 2004, p.1). It also disclosed that there were nearly 36, 000 gays serving on active duty in the military, besides the 29,000 serving in the reserves (United Press International, 2004, p.1). Further, in the US there exist approximately one million homosexual men and women, who acknowledge to being veterans (United Press International, 2004, p.2). After knowing this, one may be tempted to construe that since so many gays have already served in and are serving in the military, perhaps it may be alright for the military to embrace gays without any scruples. Yet, it is also true that till date there exists no authentic study that has scientifically and psychologically analyzed the positive or negative impact of these gay soldiers on the combat worthiness and efficiency of the military over the years. The democracy in the US is about rights and obligations, about pluralism and assimilation. However, the survival of this democracy is dependent on a disciplined and professional military. Hence the inductance of gays in the military ought to be decided on the basis of sound facts and not emotional sways. Total Words: 1,097 References “Census Study: 65,000 Gays in Military”. United Press International. 2004. Retrieved Feb. 17, 2009 from http://www.highbeam.com/doc/1P1- 101173236.html “Gays are not the Kryptonite of the Military”. The Record (Bergen County. NJ). 1993. Retrieved Feb 17, 2009 from http://www.highbeam.com/doc/ 1P1-22674102.html Showver, L. (2005). And the Flag was still there. Chapter I. Retrieved Feb. 16 , 2009, from http://users.sfo.com/~rathbone/gw400004.htm Wall, James M. “A matter of civil rights: gays and the military”. The Christian Century. The Christian Century Foundation. 1993. Retrieved Feb. 16, 2009 , from http://www.highbeam.com/doc/1G1-13509999.html Wolinsky, M. and Sherrill, K. (2004). Gays and the Military. New York: Kindle. Read More