Introduction
Homosexuality is a recent issue in our society. This paper will analyze few different topics which come up with the theme of homosexuality. First of all, it will analyze the military approach to the LGB (lesbian, gay, bisexual) community in various countries around the world. Furthermore, it will explore the topic of Don't Ask Don't Tell policy (DADT) enforced in the 90s in USA.
First of all, I would like to explain why did I chose the case of military „gayban“ in the United States of America. It is said that USA is the most democratic country in the world. And yet, there is a possibility of existence of such a ridiculous policy in a country, which is supposed to have protection of human rights on top of its list. Another reason is, that this policy is not compatible with the laws of the US. In spite of that, it existed for almost 20 years.
Moreover, this paper will show the reasons why was it possible, it will argument for and against the policy, name countries with gay bans and which countries provide a military gay-friendly enviroment. Lastly, it will analyze the situation of my home country, Slovakia, in terms of military and society's approach to homosexuals.
Military approach to homosexuals around the world
We do not live in a democratic world yet. Homosexuality is not a widely accepted term. In many countries around the world there are still high restrictions against homosexual behaviour. In five countries (Mauritania, Iran, Sudan, Yemen and Saudi Arabia) it is punishable by death. In many others, it is criminalized and forbidden by law too. Those who violate the law might even spend their life-time in prison (Fisher, 2013).
Naturally, this reflects on the military approach to homosexuals of each count...
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McGowan, Jeffrey. Major Conflict: One Gay Man’s Life in the Don’t-ask-don’t-tell Military. New York: Broadway, 2005. Print.
In 1950, President Harry S. Truman implemented discharge policies for homosexual service members in the Uniform Code of Military Justice. This would allow military leaders to discharge any service member who was thought to be homosexual. In 1992, during President Bill Clinton’s campaign, he promises to lift that ban. Not being able to do just that, President Clinton issued a directive referred to as ‘Don’t Ask Don’t Tell’. This stated that no service member should be asked about their sexual orientation. Mackubin Thomas Owens wrote the article “Gay Men and Women in the Military Disrupt Unit Cohesion” in 2009 right after President Clinton was again calling for the end of forcing homosexuals to live in secret. In his article he states that homosexuals living openly in the military will take away from military effectiveness and put the other service member’s lives in danger. Throughout most of the article he uses other resources, polls and opinions on the matter verses clearly stating his own. Most of the resources he uses are military connected or
After this took effect, homosexuals were kicked out of service if found to be gay or lesbian. According to a 1992 report by the Government Accounting Office, nearly 17,000 men and women had been discharged under this new directive during the 1980s ( ). As time passed for soldiers their sexual orientation were secret but around 1992 Bill Clinton stated that he wanted to end the ban on homosexuals in the military. In his rally for president, Bill Clinton felt that there should not be sexual discrimination in the militar...
In the past decades, the struggle for gay rights in the Unites States has taken many forms. Previously, homosexuality was viewed as immoral. Many people also viewed it as pathologic because the American Psychiatric Association classified it as a psychiatric disorder. As a result, many people remained in ‘the closet’ because they were afraid of losing their jobs or being discriminated against in the society. According to David Allyn, though most gays could pass in the heterosexual world, they tended to live in fear and lies because they could not look towards their families for support. At the same time, openly gay establishments were often shut down to keep openly gay people under close scrutiny (Allyn 146). But since the 1960s, people have dedicated themselves in fighting for
Allen Berubé uses this book to describe the persecution of homosexual men and women in the U.S. Army. In Coming Out Under Fire, Berube explains the challenges faced by homosexuals trying to serve the United States and the awakening of the gay rights movement. Berubé examines in depth and detail these social and political confrontation. It was not simply written to explain how the military victimized homosexyals, but as a story to explain the dynamic power relationship developed between gay citizens and their government. Which then allowed both parts to change and grow. His story is the timeline of “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell” from 1916 until 2003. The military had to decide if homosexuality was or was not compatible with war. They decided it
The focus of the book helps understand the true importance of books like Gay New York, Coming Out Under Fire, and Men Like That by explaining the progress made in the United States regarding the acceptance of the gay community into society. Consisting of six chapters that cover many issues regarding the government, including the military, welfare, and immigration. Much like in Coming Out Under Fire, Canaday points out issues gay men and women faced following World War II. From the mid-1940s into the late 1960s, the state crafted tools to overtly target homosexuality (Canaday, 2009). Policies were enacted that explicitly used homosexuality to define who could serve in the military (Canaday, 2009). Much has changed since then, considering the infamous “don’t ask, don’t tell” policy was repealed. Canaday’s main argument in the book is that sexual citizenship was built into the federal bureaucracy as it was being created, and this needs to be more attended to by historians (Canaday, 2009). According to Canaday, the foundations of sexual citizenship are the reason the United States has such an issue with securing universal gay rights. Issues in the South are also addressed, much like in Men Like That. Religion and the power it has in the country limits many initiatives that support gay
Lochhead, Carolyn. "Democrats aim to repeal 'Don't Ask, Don't Tell'; Obama supports lifting the ban on open gays in military." San Francisco Chronicle 23 July 2008: A1. Print.
The plan was first announced in 1993 as a compromise after President Bill Clinton wanted to remove the military’s ban on gays. Though, Congress had its opponents on the turn and so were some members in Joint Chiefs of Staff. In order to grasp mutual terms, Professor Charles Moskos of Northwestern University took on the job of increasing the structure of the “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell” policy, while Senator Sam Nunn of Georgia was the one to make the negotiations and advisement. Bill Clinton’s determinations to reduce the discharges of gays in the military did not go as planned the policy did not acquire to his necessities and demands (Belkin and Bateman 11). For example, on July 3, 1999, on a base in Fort Campbell, Kentucky, Private First Class Barry Winchell was confronted through Private by Calvin Glover to a fight. Glover lost the battle to Winchell. Heated and invidious of the result of the battle, Glover decided to take matters in to his own hands and decided to get his vengeance on Winchell two days after the battle by disrespecting him and saying that he had “his ass kicked by a faggot.” Far along that night, Glover decided to use a baseball bat to beat the twenty-one year old Wi...
She is convinced that there is no reason of the why and when gender differences have to be accepted in society. Therefore, she protests against all the barriers presented for the gay communities. Even though gays people do win and live in an undisturbed private life. Still many differences and unacceptable are going to continue in existence. The critics that the author describe are not new they are echoes of criticism and racism against LGH. She discusses and try to work hard between the community for a solution to recognize and acceptance of all races in the gay family not only between the whites the battle if squeal right represents how cultural recognition is in the need of solution. Therefore, she encourages others that the movement is focused on bringing justice to accomplish conformity regions disenfranchisement and political domination that LGBT population is unconsciously no producing harsh differences in their lives. The movement is about changing for the good of the gay community and make a history for the actions and movements to some equality and agenda success. Finishing on the LGBT protection for
Rich, C., Schutten, J., & Rogers, R. A. (2012). “Don't Drop the Soap”: Organizing Sexualities in the Repeal of the US Military's “Don't Ask, Don't Tell” Policy. Communication Monographs, 79(3), 269-291. doi:10.1080/03637751.2012.697633
the beginning the text has an exciting tone since the authors describe the overwhelming emotions of individuals as well as the celebrations that took place after the law allowing same sex marriage was approved. By starting the article in this manner the writers are trying to provoke feelings of excitement from their readers in order to make them think that this event is a positive aspect of our society. Also, by mentioning the gay movement’s multiple efforts over the past “forty-two years to ensure the marital as well as civil rights of homosexuals” (Virtanen, Hill, and Zraick 1), the writers motivate their audience to be sympathetic towards these individuals. Moreover, the authors try to make people become more suppo...
As New York City was waking up on Saturday, June 28, 1969, the New York City police raided the Stonewall Inn, a popular gay bar in Greenwich Village. The raid led to riots and protests that lasted several days. Such police harassment was hardly uncommon at the time, but this particular raid proved to be the last straw. What could have been a quickly forgotten brawl instead became “the beginning of the modern struggle for gay civil rights” (Teal). The Stonewall Riots pushed the gay rights movement to the forefront of hot-button topics in the United States, where it has remained ever since (Teal).
Homosexuality, for decades, was not accepted in the military, generally. However, during wartime periods, restrictions on gays seemed to be lightened. Then, during maritime, there would be strict enforcement on homosexuals. During maritime, homosexuals were constantly being filtered out and discharged by the military. In World War I, homosexuals that engaged in homosexual actions were disciplined and then discharged from the military. There wasn’t a specific policy against being a homosexual, but there were policies stating that homosexual actions were not allowed.
Love always plays an indispensable role in our life while lesbians, gays, bisexuals, and transgenders are found in all age groups, all social classes, and all nations. Thus, it is obvious that homosexual marriage is one of the most biggest concerns. However, in contemporary life, some people are far more open-minded and support to this issue. Particularly, there are twenty-one countries which legalize same-sex marriage. This kind of marriage should be respected and accepted like heterosexual marriage. In spite of objections, this essay will highlight the main reasons that homosexuals should have equal right to marry.
Our world is constantly changing and people are constantly facing many new experiences. Throughout society, there are many different people and different opinions to match. One matter that has a lot of different opinions is the matter of homosexuality. Depending on what a person believes or how accepting they are, will reflect on their opinion on this topic. With the world constantly, we have very old styles of thinking versus more modern opinions. This essay will show the ways that homosexuals are sometimes looked down upon in society (with older views) and the way that the world is changing.