So the repeal of "don't ask, don't tell" finally passed over the weekend. In the build up, we had statements from rank-and-file soldiers, officers, military leaders, the white house, and John McCain's weird flip-flops on the issue.
One of the arguments against was that soldiers might feel uncomfortable sharing barracks or close quarters with someone who is attracted to the same sex. And, finally it dawned on me what the real issue here is: society's acceptance of the myth that men are incapable of controlling their sexuality/urges. This weird notion that innocent men will wake up to find a gay comrade stroking their hair.
This same argument was used to keep women out of combat. And, frankly, men in the army haven't really done a particularly good job of controlling their violent-sexual urges because women in the military experience a tremendous rate of sexual hazing and assault. Truth be told, I suspect gay soldiers have far more to fear from straight soldiers than the other way around.
Maybe, rather than debating how one's sexuality effects their ability to do their job . . . we should encourage parents, schools, and communities to be more forthright and comprehensive in the sexuality education we give kids.
2 comments:
I realized last night that I should add that pretty much all of the human men I know are fully in control of their sexuality, have a good moral compass, and work hard to avoid the creepy factor. I don't think this is too much to as of the military.
The Onion did a pretty funny article working on the angle of repressed sexuality underlying the arguments against repeal.
Too bad the mythology and media sort of feed off each other in a kind of weird synergy.
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