Homosexuality as a Mental Illness - Case Study Example

Rachel Anderson Michael MacDonald Essay January 25, The Repeal of ‘Don’t ask, Don’t tell Why it’s a good thing The ‘Don’t ask, Don’t tell’ policy was recently repealed by the U.S. Senate. This lift of the ban on homosexuals in the military has caused heated debate among people both in and out of the military. Both religious and non-religious people have strong opinions on the matter. Some people have firm opinions on either end of the issue, but I find that most people are ambivalent and don’t feel the ruling will affect them personally either way. I feel that the repeal of “Don’t ask, Don’t tell” is a good thing and can only benefit the U.S Armed Forces. The mental health of the individuals affected by this policy in the past and the ability to retain their skill for the future can only make our forces stronger. Nigrosh Seth (2010) pointed out that for the past several years a group of individuals has been singled out and banned from the military due to the violation of this policy. Despite the ever-changing specifics of the rules pertaining to the matter, it has been an open form of discrimination not tolerated in any other work center in the 21st century other than in religious environments. Beginning under the presidency of Harry S. Truman, homosexuals were specifically and formally banned from joining the military. It must be noted that this was a period of time when homosexuality was considered a mental illness. President Ronald Regan revised the policy so that individuals had to either admit their homosexuality or be caught in homosexual acts to be considered “gay” and then banned from the military. He regarded homosexuality as incompatible with military life. As Thompson reports in The Time (2008) over ten years later, President Bill Clinton, who wanted to lift the ban completely, compromised with Congress and created the ‘Don’t ask, Don’t tell’ policy which is self explanatory; an individual cannot be asked about their sexual orientation and therefore does not have to reveal any personal information on the matter. Finally in December 2010, the Senate passed the repeal of the policy. One of the most valuable benefits of this repeal is how it will benefit the mental health of homosexuals already serving in the military. Those military members affected by DADT have had to live a lie and hide their true identity while serving their country. To have to keep their personal life a secret has been detrimental to their well-being. Not only has it been the root of mental illnesses such as depression, eating disorders and substance abuse; unfortunately it has also caused people to commit suicide. Homosexuals as a whole have a significantly higher suicide rate before “coming out of the closet”. The fear of discrimination and subsequent fear of not being respected as a human being causes individuals to be socially withdrawn. The military promotes a “well rounded” professional which means balancing personal and professional aspects of a person’s life. If a person has to hide who they are in their private life, it not only affects their self esteem but it also can throw off the desired “balance” in life. This type of self-hatred not only harms the individual’s mental health; it can negatively affect them professionally and socially. It can be compared to someone hiding their religion so that they are accepted and not persecuted by society. Although it may not be a “hot topic” in conversation; to not talk about the subject of personal sexual preference versus actively hiding it are two very different things. As most people know, there have been homosexuals serving in the military for quite a long time; they are just not open about it. This situation has not caused any notable issues in the US military since the homosexuals could clearly separate their private life from their profession. Therefore, the proposed “fear” of now allowing homosexuals in the military is not really as big of an issue as it may seem. It is basically an official and documented acceptance of homosexuals in the military. According to special Defense Department (as cited in Jeffrey, 2010), the idea that homosexuals would need separate showers and bathrooms than heterosexuals is not necessary. The term “homosexual” does not equate with “sexual predator.” Furthermore we have to be reminded that there was a time when black people were not allowed to join the military. Then when they could join, they were still segregated and forced to use separate facilities. Does this idea sound familiar? These types of rules have only cost the Department of Defense money; it hasn’t made them any. The United States Department of Defense has discharged tens of thousands of people over the years for being gay or lesbian. As Bello (2010) reports in The US Today, the evils of the “Don’t ask, Don’t tell” policy affect women and minorities more. The report adds that 34% women and 30% minorities were discharged under the provisions of the regulation. To discharge them and retrain someone else has cost the nation millions of dollars. Not only would omitting this “criteria” from the rule books save our governments’ money; the professional contributions of these individuals would also be retained. American Psychological Association argues that there is no evidence that suggests a heterosexual is a better worker than a homosexual. I would bet money that some, or even most, of the homosexuals discharged from the military were stellar performers in their work centers and unique assets to the teams they were a part of. The mental and physical abilities of each individual lost have been priceless. Their sexual orientation had no bearing on their professional abilities. I also think it is safe to say that there are plenty of lazy heterosexuals serving in the military. Personally, I would rather work alongside someone who works hard and is gay rather someone who is lazy and straight. I believe a person’s private life is just that private. As long as one person is not hurting another, their ability to be productive in society is a completely separate issue. I can understand and respect the fact that many people have doubts and fears about homosexuals serving openly in the military. As with any significant change, comes questions and debate. However, despite the naysayer’s personal beliefs on the subject, the change has come. Active Duty military members of the Department of Defense have already stated that they will not tolerate discrimination and non-conforming on this issue. Individuals who don’t agree with the decision of the Senate to repeal “Don’t ask, Don’t tell” do not have a choice but to accept the new rules as they are. While it is a sensitive issue, we are all human beings and should be respected as such. At the end of the work day, how I feel about homosexuality is irrelevant. The ability to do one’s job is the issue here. Can the person do the work? Can they be professional? Those are the questions that should be asked. Not “Are they gay?” Every American has the freedom of speech and the freedom to have his own opinion. However when those opinions transcend to preventing specific people to enter a work force, it is by definition, discrimination. I don’t know of any other profession in the United States of America, other than the clergy, that is allowed to base their hiring on sexual orientation. I am not suggesting anyone change their beliefs on this particular issue. Our world is ever-changing and there is no question that diversity enhances our lives. We can all learn something from one another. Regardless of the end result and whether or not our minds have changed; we learn something new from each other because we are all unique. Works Cited American Psychological Association. Examining the Employment Nondiscrimination Act (ENDA): The scientist perspective. Web 9 Feb. 2011 http://www.apa.org/pi/lgbt/resources/employment-nondiscrimination.aspx Bello, Marisol. Don’t ask Don’t tell affects women, minorities more. USA Today. May 27, 2010. Web 9 Feb 2011 http://www.usatoday.com/news/military/2010-05-26-dont-ask_N.htm Jeffrey, Terence P. “Straight troops must shower with gays, says DOD working group-‘Gay men have learned to avoid making heterosexuals feel uncomfortable or threatened in situations such as this”. Patriots for America, 2010. Web 9 Feb 2011 http://patriotsforamerica.ning.com/forum/topics/straight-troops-must-shower Nigrosh, Seth. Discrimination is still alive and well in “Don’t ask, Don’t tell”. The College Voice, 2010. Web. 9 Feb 2011 http://thecollegevoice.org/2010/10/18/discrimination-is-still-alive-and-well-in-%E2%80%9Cdon%E2%80%99t-ask-don%E2%80%99t-tell%E2%80%9D/ Thompson, Mark. Don’t ask Don’t tell turns15.Time. Jan 28, 2008. Web 9 Feb 2011 http://www.time.com/time/nation/article/0,8599,1707545,00.html Read More