I am really baffled about this DADT survey and my reaction to it. This legitimization of prejudice, this desire to legalize bigotry has swept me off my feet and I an struggling to get back up. Human beings who live and lead in the USA have authorized this despicable survey, jury-rigged its distribution, spent tax dollars and are going to use it to sanction their own ideas which are now unveiled and make me sick. And do not forget our leaders' ability to mess with outcomes; paging Mr. Chad.
I get this marriage thing is really freaking people out and it is only because they have let the lines bleed between church and state. Seriously, queers don’t want to walk down aisles in churches that don’t want them. Queers don’t want to receive a sacrament from a priest who thinks they are demons. Queers, in all their normalcy, by majority, pair. We have organized society around paring and some paired queers want all those established advantages, like shared ownership, parenting, signed contracts, insurance. But there are millions of non-allies who think that god will be really mad at them if they acknowledge queer couples. They think it is a sin and their ministers assure them it is true. Their god must be exhausted keeping track of all that.
But the military? What the hell is it about the military? Can you carry a gun? Can you support people who carry guns? Can you knock in a door, put out a fire or start a fire when necessary? Can you all sleep, wash, eat, as responsible adults and follow the military code of conduct? And can you translate Arabic, march in line, keep your love life out of the barracks, take an oath to love and protect your country? Then welcome aboard!
Really I am just confounded. So half the women in the US Armed forces are harassed with DADT. Does that mean that if DADT is repealed, the scum bag straight dudes who blackmail women won’t have their scheme working for them anymore? Is that the problem? Or applying the same thing with men, if DADT is repealed, will bullies lose one of their sanctioned ways to harass other men?
Or does it mean that the US Military will have to extend family benefits to queer families? Maybe a folded flag and a proper acknowledgment to the bereaved? And insurance for a spouse who is raising kids, living on military salary but unable to go to the PX or use any of the base services?
I admit, I am both astonished at this abominable survey and that my Buddhist pacifist heart cares so much that I find myself crying over this. I am so ashamed of Obama, Gates, my country. This survey is the most blatant weapon used in my lifetime to hurt, to discriminate, to separate, to castigate, to legitimize bigotry. Whoa. I just need to take a deep breath and get on, gettin’ on.
The road to equality is in stormy weather today. Hold on to your hats, get your boots. There is more work to be done than we thought.
I get this marriage thing is really freaking people out and it is only because they have let the lines bleed between church and state. Seriously, queers don’t want to walk down aisles in churches that don’t want them. Queers don’t want to receive a sacrament from a priest who thinks they are demons. Queers, in all their normalcy, by majority, pair. We have organized society around paring and some paired queers want all those established advantages, like shared ownership, parenting, signed contracts, insurance. But there are millions of non-allies who think that god will be really mad at them if they acknowledge queer couples. They think it is a sin and their ministers assure them it is true. Their god must be exhausted keeping track of all that.
But the military? What the hell is it about the military? Can you carry a gun? Can you support people who carry guns? Can you knock in a door, put out a fire or start a fire when necessary? Can you all sleep, wash, eat, as responsible adults and follow the military code of conduct? And can you translate Arabic, march in line, keep your love life out of the barracks, take an oath to love and protect your country? Then welcome aboard!
Really I am just confounded. So half the women in the US Armed forces are harassed with DADT. Does that mean that if DADT is repealed, the scum bag straight dudes who blackmail women won’t have their scheme working for them anymore? Is that the problem? Or applying the same thing with men, if DADT is repealed, will bullies lose one of their sanctioned ways to harass other men?
Or does it mean that the US Military will have to extend family benefits to queer families? Maybe a folded flag and a proper acknowledgment to the bereaved? And insurance for a spouse who is raising kids, living on military salary but unable to go to the PX or use any of the base services?
I admit, I am both astonished at this abominable survey and that my Buddhist pacifist heart cares so much that I find myself crying over this. I am so ashamed of Obama, Gates, my country. This survey is the most blatant weapon used in my lifetime to hurt, to discriminate, to separate, to castigate, to legitimize bigotry. Whoa. I just need to take a deep breath and get on, gettin’ on.
The road to equality is in stormy weather today. Hold on to your hats, get your boots. There is more work to be done than we thought.
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