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Memorial Day
Renews Questions
Of Gays In
Military
by Paul Johnson
365Gay.com from the Web, May 30, 2005
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Washington -- As the nation
observes the sacrifices of those in the military this Memorial Day, gays and
lesbians are expressing anger and frustration they are not allowed to serve
openly.
A study done earlier this year by the Government Accountability Office shows
that more than 10,000 service members have been discharged over the last 10
years under "don't ask, don't tell".
The GAO also reported that it has cost taxpayers more than $200 million to
recruit replacements for LGBT enlisted service members who were discharged.
Those gays and lesbians who serve without coming out, live and work under a veil
of secrecy, fearful of disclosing anything of their private lives for fear their
secret will come out.
Gary Gates, a statistician with the University of California-Los Angeles
estimates that at least 25 lesbian, gay or bisexual service members have been
killed in Iraq.
"Gay, lesbian and bisexual service members have shed blood and sacrificed their
lives for our country since the American Revolution," said SLDN Executive
Director C. Dixon Osburn. "They have never been accorded the equal dignity
due all Americans."
Yet, while the Pentagon refuses to consider lifting the ban on out gays serving,
it acknowledges that it is unable meet to its recruitment goals
In March the military acknowledged it is suffering a severe troop shortage.
As well as military personnel the Pentagon has fired 50 linguists who are openly
gay. They are being replaced by foreign translators, and legislation is
before Congress to grant them "special immigrant status".
Meanwhile, the Pentagon and the Bush Administration are fighting a bill
introduced in Congress to repeal the gay ban.
The legislation was filed by Rep. Marty Meehan (D-MA) in the House of
Representatives. The measure has more than 50 Congressional co-sponsors.
Rep. Meehan is also a member of the House Armed Services Committee, as are 7
co-sponsors of today’s legislation.
Repeal of "don't ask" also has the support of the American public.
A poll released earlier this month shows that nearly 80 percent of Americans
believe gays should be allowed to serve openly in the military.
The survey, by the Boston Globe, also shows that party affiliation, age, or
church attendance had little effect on their opinion.
The Globe poll follows other polls showing growing support for allowing gays to
serve openly. Recent Gallup polls have reported between 65 percent and 79
percent support for lifting the military's gay ban.
An Annenberg Survey reported in October that half of junior enlisted personnel
and their families support allowing gays to serve. And in 2003, FOX News
reported 64 percent support for allowing gays to serve.
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