Political Morsels and Other Droppings

He even said it tonight at the HRC Dinner.  Nope, I did not attend.  I have more fun things to do, like work on my midterm. Besides, the President wasn’t on the list when I received my invite a couple months ago. However, I read about it and that counts for something, now doesn’t it? President Obama spoke at the annual dinner in D.C. and let’s just say that the gay community hasn’t been happy with how slow some of the promises he made on the campaign trail have been taking him to get to in the White House. 

I can understand if you think that having to wait a while in order for gays and lesbians to have the right to serve openly is no big deal.  However, to the 619 gay and lesbian members of the military who found themselves being kicked out last year, I can tell you, it is a big deal.  Just like for the thousands of members who live in the closet, hoping not to be found out, while protecting our nation.  I’ve written about my time in so I’m not about to rehash it in this posting.  However, I can tell you that with every day that goes by without a repeal to this stupid policy, is another day that a segment of the current and former military population is reminded of the lack of equal treatment.  

This is a big deal and it is important.  There are many more people who would sign up if this rule went away.  In a day when there aren’t very many folks willing to volunteer to serve their nation, that should signify quite a bit.  In the meantime, more lesbians are targeted under the ‘Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell’ policy then men, percentage wise.  From what I had to deal with, while I was in, I’m not surprised.  Witch hunts are not fun. Especially when you’re the target and it’s a practice that needs to stop.  

I work with members of the military during my day job and I have heard them, as well as other coworkers, discuss their feelings about gays being in the military.  Frankly, I am already aware that I work with a lot of ignorant fucks.  Nothing much is going to really change.  People need to get over their insecurities and realize that just because someone is homosexual doesn’t mean they lack enough taste that he/she is going to stare at everyone’s asses in the shower. Hell, I kept my eyes on my shampoo and got in and out as quickly as possible.  Most of us won’t hit on someone unless we know for a fact that the other person is also gay. However, there are minor exceptions to the rules.  We’ve all been on the receiving end of unwanted advances by those of the opposite sex.  Every time I’ve been hit on, I pointed out that I’m not interested, and normally that’s enough for a guy to move on. However, there have been a couple times that I’ve had to make myself very clear. One ass grab led me to kneeing a guy in his package. He left me alone after that. Just like there are times that some sleazy women who can’t take “no” from guys too well either.    

I remember reading about the desegregation in the military and how big of a deal that was made when that took place.  It’s not that big of a deal today, now is it? On occasion, you run into some ignorant people who grew up in the backwoods of some redneck area. Those are the folks who are the ones with the problem and they are disciplined when they act on their ignorance.  We need to only look at the 29 other countries who allow gays to serve in their militaries to see that allowing openly gay service is the right thing to do and it’s about damn time that we do it. So, President Obama, I know you’ll keep your word.  I just hope you act on it sooner rather than later.