Congressman Skelton says he supports the troops, but should clarify that he only supports heterosexual troops serving our country. (Skelton: I support the troops, but cannot support repeal of “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell,” May 28.)
“Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell” forces gay service members to lie about their sexual orientation. Even the Joint Chiefs Chairman Admiral Mullen recognizes that this compromises the very integrity we so value in our military.
Skelton helped author “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell” in 1993. He ignored solid evidence then that homosexuals serving openly would not harm good order in the ranks and he ignores it now. Instead, he remains part of a small group of people who are willing to sacrifice the integrity of the armed forces and the safety of our country because of their own fears and stereotypes about homosexuality.
About 66,000 gay patriots currently put themselves in harm’s way for their country. Skelton and others like him do not support these patriots; they callously disregard and disrespect their sacrifices.
It is time to truly “demonstrate our nation’s gratitude for the sacrifices made by our men and women in uniform and their families to keep our country free.” That’s all of them, gay and straight, who are currently serving and those who will serve in the future.
As Admiral Mullen says, “it is the right thing to do.”
