Integrity News

There’s always something good at the Box Turtle Bulletin. In a post from yesterday, they update us on Elaine Donnelly and the Center for Military Readiness, the one organization dedicated to keeping gays out of the military.

It seems Ms. D has started a new website she is calling “Americans for the Military.” To put it frankly, Ms. D disgusts me to the core of my being. So gay Americans (yes, we’re Americans - my first ancestor arrived here circa 1640. And what about LGBT Native Americans?) who want to defend America are against the military? Gimme a break! How stupid!

If America were defeated in the War on Terror, and Islamofascists exert their will in North America, how in the name of all that is good would that benefit gays? It wouldn’t in the least. They do all kinds of nasty things to gays in Iran and Iraq, not to mention nearly every other predominantly Muslim country. The safety and freedom of the gay community is just as much at risk as the safety and freedom of the straight community.

Gay Americans want to serve in the military because we want to protect that freedom, we want to protect our friends and families - and many of us are doing that right now. We bleed just like everyone else! I don’t want anyone to forget that. There are gay American heroes out there. Check out these links about MAJ Alan G. Rogers, who gave his life in Iraq:

Army Officer Remembered as Hero

Media, Military Kept Soldier in Closet After Death

Public Death, Private Life

I don’t want anyone to forget Alan Rogers. His sexual orientation shouldn’t have mattered. But it did because of the policy they call “Don’t ask, Don’t tell.” But Alan is probably not the first, nor the last GLBT soldier to die on the battlefield. And he certainly isn’t the first or last to prove his bravery. Have you heard of TSgt. Leonard Matlovitch, he want to Vietnam not once, but three times and earned a Bronze Star and a Purple Heart? Check out these Time magazine pieces from 1975:

Homosexual Sergeant

The Sergeant v. The Air Force

If you want even more history about gays, lesbians and bisexuals in the US military, I would recommend reading Conduct Unbecoming by Randy Shilts and Coming Out Under Fire by Allan Berube.

Ms. D needs to understand that gay Americans are Americans, too. That we value our country and our fellow Americans. That we are prepared to do what is necessary to protect them. And that includes serving in the military.