4 The Voice, For Students, By Students 1 Octobers, 2011 | www.fsuvoice.com | send news tips to the editor; thevoice.fsu@gmail.com
‘Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell’ repeal
Gays, lesbians and bi-sexuals are free to serve openly
by Erin Lawson
Stajf Writer
September 20, marked the end of the Don’t
Ask, Don’t Tell policy, which kept gays, les
bians and bi-sexuals undercover about their
sexual orientation since 1993.
Under the administration of former Presi
dent Bill Clinton, the DADT policy made it
illegal for gays, lesbians and bi-sexuals to
be open about their sexual orientation while
serving. The DADT policy served as a pro
tection for lesbians, gays and bi-sexuals, as
long as they didn’t express their sexuality.
Otherwise, they would be discharged.
More than 12,000 soldiers were discharged
under the DADT since its enforcement in
1993, according to an article from the Associ
ated Press.
The number of discharged soldiers began
to increase due to the fact that the DADT kept
inquires and investigations of lesbians and
gays going. Therefore, was it really a Don’t
Ask, Don’t Tell kind of policy?
Slate magazine reporter. Brain Palmer, said
“But there is no provision in law or regulation
that forbids a rank-and-file service member
from asking a colleague whether he or she is
gay.. .but there is no record of a service mem
ber being punished for asking about homo
sexual conduct.”
Mr. Palmer clearly points out how the
DADT policy only dealt with half of the
policy. It seemed as if the Don’t Tell part
was clearly handled, but the Don’t Ask part
wasn’t handled correctly. This could go back
to the increase of discharges that occurred
during this policy in the military, and increase
of harassment towards gays, lesbians and bi
sexuals.
Clearly something else had to be done,
which caused President Obama to come up
with the plan of ending the Don’t Ask, Don’t
Tell policy completely.
The military was very prepared for the re
peal. Before it was passed, training under the
new law was taking place. Applications from
soldiers who were discharged, and those who
felt a career in the military would not be pos
sible, started coming in immediately after the
bill was repealed.
It all just boils down to how the military
feels about this appeal, whether it is someone
currently enlisted or someone who wishes to
pursue a military career in the future.
There are many opinions about the repeal
of the DADT bill, yet the only ones that
should matter are those who serve and protect
our nation.
How much of an affect does this appeal
have on their ability to perform their jobs?
Some feel like they were left out of a de
cision that affects them more than the politi
cians in Washington and the general public.
“I wish someone would have asked that
before the appeal, because I would feel un
comfortable working under this appeal,” said
one possible future solider who did not want
to be named.
There are some soldiers who can say that
this appeal doesn’t affect them. Not because
they don’t care, but because it all comes
down to one military. Therefore, this appeal
isn’t tiiily affecting everyone.
Even though there are people who are af
fected, who’s going to solve their issue with
the appeal? What if these people start feel
ing as if the military doesn’t care about their
opinion? What if they discharge themselves
because they are no longer comfortable? Is
this a decision that seems good in the begin
ning, but will turn out bad for the military?
That is just one of those things that only time
will tell, and the people of America and the
United States military will be its witnesses.
WHAT[SGOINGON?
Bronco Student Veteran’s Meet
ing
WHAT: A meeting for the student
veterans at FSU
WHEN: Today, 3 p.m.
WHERE: Helen T. Chick Building
rm.102.
MORE INFO: 910-672-1625; dallen@
uncfsu.edu
Department of Sociology lecture
series with Dr. Oliver Johnson
WHAT: A look at how substance
abuse and dependency can have
unsuspected influences on society
WHEN: Thursday, October 6,
12;20 to 1:30 p.m.
WHERE: Taylor Social Science
Building 203.
MORE INFO: 910-672-2220
FSU to t)e featured in concert
WHAT: FSU’s Department of Per
forming and Fine Arts presenting
its 3^^* annual Faculty and Friends
concert
WHEN: Thursday, October 6,6 to
7 p.m.
WHERE: Holy Trinity Episcopal
Church 1601 Raeford Road
MORE INFO: 672-1571
Ciut)/Organization Opportunities
WHAT: An interest meeting for
students who want to become more
involved
WHEN: Friday, October 7,12 p.m.
WHERE: RJSC 210
MORE INFO: Student Activities
Office
5 Compete for the Mr, FSU title
WHAT: Five of FSU’s most re
vered men will compete for the
title of Mr. FSU
WHEN: Sunday, October 9,
8 p.m.
WHERE: J.W Seabrook Audito-
m
rium
MORE INFO: 910-672-1474
Volleyball
WHAT: FSU vs. Livingstone
WHEN: Thursday, October 6,
6 p.m.
WHERE: Capel Arena
Cross Country
WHAT: Virginia State Invitational
WHEN: Friday, October 7,1 p.m.
WHERE: Petersburg, VA
Football
WHAT: FSU vs .Virginia State
WHEN: Saturday, October 8,1
p.m.
WHERE: Luther “Nick” Jeralds
Stadium
Luther “Nick” Jeralds Stadium
WIDU 53RD Anniversary Gospel
Celebration
WHAT: A celebration of gospel for
those who enjoy gospel music
WHEN: Saturday, October 8,4
p.m.
WHERE: Crown Center, Crown
Coliseum, Fayetteville NC
MORE INFO: 910-438-4100
Job Fair
WHEN: Wednesday, October 12,9
a.m. to 2 p.m.
WHERE: Crown Expo Center,
Fayetteville NC
MORE INFO: 910-677-2177 OR
910-677-2222
YMCA Zumbathon
WHAT: Get fit and have fun doing
it!
WHEN: Friday, October 14,6:30
to 8:30 p.m.
WHERE: Manna Church, Fayette
ville NC
MORE INFO: 803-479-8567
Royal Comedy Tour
WHAT: A chance to laugh at some
of today’s hottest comedy acts
WHEN: Friday, October 14, 8 p.m.
WHERE: Crown Center, Crown
Arena, Fayetteville NC
MORE INFO: 910-438-4100
Costume Contest for kids
WHAT: A festive time for the
younger children
WHEN: Wednesday, October 26,5
p.m. to 7 p.m.
WHERE: Monkey Joe’s, Fayette
ville NC
MORE INFO: 910-423-JOES