Homosexuals in the Military

Homosexuals in the Military

The current policy regarding homosexuals in the military today does not allow homosexuals to serve without reference to their sexual orientation, even though they have been serving secretly throughout history. A homosexual in today's military must either lie to remain a part of the military or admit homosexuality and be discharged. Therefore, homosexuals should be allowed to serve in the military without having their sexual orientation be a detrimental factor.

Homosexuals should have the right to serve in the military because their sexual orientation does not hinder their ability to complete the same tasks that heterosexual members accomplish. According to Diane Silver in her book The New Civil War: The Lesbian and Gay Struggle for Civil Rights, Individuals should solely be judged on their action and behaviors rather than their sexual preferences in the military (97). C. Dixon Osburn, a lawyer with the Servicemembers Legal Defense Network explains that sexual orientation should not be used to judge members, rather they should be judged by their abilities to accomplish tasks successfully (Silver 105). According to author, Richard L. Worsnop in an article titled "Are gays and lesbians seeking equal rights or "special" rights?" Congressional Quarterly, Inc. 1993, Judge Terry J. Hatter Jr. explains the discharge and discrimination of homosexuals in the United States military are based on stereotypes and proven false. An article, "Breaking Into the Ranks" by Pamela Brogan dated 1993, reports some of these stereotypes were prevalent in a study conducted in the Netherlands. This particular study found that 54 % of military men would prefer not to share a two person tent with a homosexual man, 47 percent would not like to go out to bars with homosexual men, 39% would prefer to sit next to a non-homosexual man, 36% believed that homosexual mean were not fit for any type of important positions and 14% stated they would not perform at the same level for a gay officer (Brogan). It was stated in a 1990 United States memo, which described the investigation methods necessary to seek lesbians out in the navy, that it would be hard task because they were a part of the top officials and members (Silver 104). Homosexuals are performing the same duties and sometimes better than heterosexuals. A study conducted in 1957 found that homosexuals could acceptably serve in the military. Their sexual orientation did not affect their ability to complete tasks successfully (Silver 104).

Joseph Steffan, a well-known gay military member, stated that "no" he was not a homosexual on his forms when he first enlisted in the Navy. He never had thought of being gay; it was frowned upon greatly where Steffan came from. Steffan later developed an attraction to men. Steffan admitted to the Naval Investigative Service that in fact he was gay and then resigned from the Navy soon after (Worsnop). Joseph Steffan contends in his book Honor Bound: A Gay American Fights for the Right to Serve His Country that he learned that excuses had no merit and that all members number one goal should be to accomplish the task that they had been given (141). Steffan had never used his sexual identity as an excuse or let it affect his duties in the military. Steffan's military-law teacher, a Navy Lieutenant commander, knew many homosexuals that had been discharged but were among the military's top and most successful members before being discharged (Steffan 148). Steffan had concluded that every person is different, with different personalities, behaviors, and beliefs (Steffan 100). Joseph Steffan participated in a pistol marksmanship course during his plebe year in which he qualified as an "expert" and only one of two to do so in his platoon. This accomplishment earned Steffan his first military medal, for expert marksmanship (Steffan 57). Joseph Steffan while at Annapolis sung the national Anthem twice at the Army-Navy Football game, held a straight-A record academically and was given the position of battalion commander. His abilities and behavior at Annapolis were also deemed in the highest respects (Worsnop). His sexual orientation had not deterred him from his duties and activities associated with the military. Therefore, homosexuals should be allowed to serve openly in the military because they can accomplish the same tasks and contain the same abilities as heterosexuals.

Homosexuals have always been present in the military and have made positive contributions with no reference to their sexual orientation. Homosexuals including gays and lesbians have been a crucial contributing group in the United States military dating far back in history (Silver 98). Homosexual members of the military have served and died in many wars including World War I, World War II, the Korean War, and the Vietnam War (Silver 102). Judge Terry J. Hatter of the United States District Court in Los Angeles asserts homosexuals have long served in the military and thus have proven to be very capable and loyal to their country (Worsnop). Stephen Decatur and Richard Somers, who were gay lovers in the Navy fought during the early 1800's. Somers found and died in Libya in 1804 while Decatur fought in the war of 1812 with a commodore rank (Silver 102). Baron Friedrich Wilhelm Ludolf Gerhard Augustin von Steuben (1730-1794), a gay general in the Revolutionary War helped America win with his contributions. He helped train soldiers using his own training manual, at a time in the war when the military was at one of its lowest points (Silver 102). Recently, Copy Berg, Leonard Matlovich, Perry Watkins and Miriam Ben Shalom helped to pave the way for challenging the policy against homosexuals in the military (Steffan 244). Each of these people has made great contributions to the military, but was later discriminated against because of their homosexuality. For example Perry Watkins, a gay military member, had readily admitted to his homosexual orientation when he was drafted into the Army in 1967. Watkins reenlisted in the Army several times before he was discharged in 1981 because of his sexuality. Watkins was given an honorable discharge. Watkins however, fought back using his spotless record, past contributions to the Army, and the fact that he had never once lied about his orientation to his officers, to fight and win a court case to be reinstated (Worsnop).

Another example is Pam Mindt. According to author Chris Ison in his article titled "Battle Line Is Drawn Over Her Sexuality," Star Tribune dated 1992, Captain Pam Mindt has 11 commendation medals from her 15-year career in the Army National Guard. Pam Mindt portrayed great military success showing the ability to complete tasks given to her while in service. Mindt's fellow Guard members