Don't Ask, Don't Tell, Don't Lie: The Policy Must Go!

Among other news stories about Indiana Senators, wars on the middle class and Apple’s controversially titled iPad, President Obama has begun working directly with the U.S. military to repeal “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell” – a campaign promise that has since been swept under the White House’s rug until recently.

Personally, I am thrilled that our Commander-in-Chief (in conjunction with Congress) has actually taken concrete measures to begin the removal of DADT from national military policy.

While it may have made sense at the time of its implementation, it has adversely harmed the LGBTQ community and maintained the perspective that individuals with certain sexual identities are second-class citizens who do not deserve the same recognition as their heterosexual counterparts, albeit they may have achieved the same accomplishments or done an equal amount of work.

John McCain spoke out against the transitional move, calling the current policy in place “successful.” Really?

Look, if success is measured by the amount of people who lose jobs, the degree to which emotional stability and personal security are questioned every day in an already intensive environment, and a subculture that encourages individuals to question, disrespect and "out" fellow soldiers, then yes - DADT's highly successful.

Otherwise, let’s allow Obama and Congress to officially remove the policy (if they adhere to plans as they promise) and check off one more item from our to-give list on LGBTQ rights in the United States of America.