Over the past few years there has been much debate over what is constitutional and what is unconstitutional when it comes to gay rights. The constitution is supposed to protect American citizens and benefit their life liberties and freedoms. So why is such a big portion of our population being left out of these rights. The gay community in America is trying to push forward to be just like every other normal American citizen, but with every step forward the government is bringing them two steps back. The Don’t Ask Don’t Tell Act is an act that has been in effect for 17 years that allows gays to serve in the military as long as they don’t show who they really are. If they openly admitted to being gay they would be dismissed from their military services. Over these past 17 years the act has been in affect 13,500 servicemen were dismissed from service because they were gay. “The question of gays serving in the military has stirred debate for decades. Until 1993, recruits were asked on a questionnaire whether they were homosexual and were prevented from enlisting if they answered "yes” (http://www.usatoday.com/news/military/2010-12-20-dadt20_ST_N.htm)." But if they stay in the closet then it is believed it doesn’t hinder anyone’s abilities to serve in the military. The only people it affects negatively are the gays themselves, this is not an ideal situation for anyone. The gay servicemen now have to live a lie in their workplace, among peers, and in protecting their country. This makes anyone’s daily routines more difficult when they can’t let who they really are out. The Don’t Ask Don’t Tell Act was repealed however by the government under President Obama to now let openly gay citizens into the army to support and fight for our country just as anyone else would do. "Discrimination has never served America well... the policy known as "don't ask, don't tell" hurts morale (http://content.usatoday.com/communities/onpolitics/post/2010/12/senate-gays-in-military-/1)" However, you can’t please everyone. Now that the gay community is pleased with being able to openly serve in the military the heterosexual community is displeased. Launching a huge national debate on what should be done about this act. The government has used framing to make most people believe the heterosexuals within the military believe they cannot serve to the best of their ability knowing that the man they're showering, eating, fighting, changing, and sleeping next to is gay. However, this is not always the case, some soldiers are comfortable with doing their duty along side a gay military member. There is a lot of prejudging of these gay soldiers by the government, other soldiers, and those that are being affected by the media. These soldiers are judged not by their fighting ability or patriotism to their county, but rather yet whom they choose to love. This day and age homosexual activities are becoming more accepted among Americans, but this doesn’t mean that everyone accepts and supports them. It is a realization that not everyone has come to of knowing that being gay is not a handicap, they are normal American citizens. "No matter how I look at this issue, I cannot escape being troubled by the fact that we have in place a policy which forces young men and women to lie about who they are in order to defend their fellow citizens," Adm. Mike Mullen, the chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, told the Senate Armed Services Committee. "It comes down to integrity—theirs as individuals and ours as an institution
(http://www.usnews.com/news/articles/2010/03/10/dont-ask-dont-tell-debate-rages-on-in-congress-)." Recently more people are starting to stand up for gays and their rights. Allowing the media to have a hay-day with this debate. Even icons in Americans society are supporting the gay rights movements. “In front of a large stars and stripes flag, Lady Gaga declared herself gay and suggested that those "uncomfortable" with serving alongside gay people in the military could leave. "If you don't like it, go home!" she said (http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2010/sep/21/dont-ask-dont-tell-senate).” The media is using agenda setting when reporting on the Don’t Ask Don’t Tell Act and its Repeal. They want us to believe that no one is in support of having gays serve openly and only play up common misconceptions. However, many people would disagree with what the media is saying. Even those who would be the most affected by this act aren’t reacting as harshly as the media leads us to believe. “There is a considerable measure of support for repeal of the ban within the ranks of the armed forces. A 2006 Zogby poll found that 73 percent of military personnel surveyed said they were comfortable serving with openly gay or lesbian troops (http://www.usnews.com/news/articles/2010/03/10/dont-ask-dont-tell-debate-rages-on-in-congress-).” Marine Corps Commandant James Conway states, “My personal opinion is that unless we can strip away the emotion, agenda, and politics and ask [whether] we somehow enhance the war fighting of the United States Marine Corps by allowing homosexuals to openly serve, then we haven't addressed it from the correct perspective
(http://www.usnews.com/news/articles/2010/03/10/dont-ask-dont-tell-debate-rages-on-in-congress-).” It seems as though there is a pretty firm backing of the repeal to this act, so why is it still being debated? Influential government members. They are trying to stop the movement of the Don't Ask Don't Tell Act repeal. "Sen. John McCain, the top Republican on the Armed Services Committee, has been blocking the repeal because of concerns about the impact on military readiness. He mounted a filibuster this summer and Democrats could not get the 60 votes needed to get past McCain and proceed with a debate (http://content.usatoday.com/communities/onpolitics/post/2010/12/senate-gays-in-military-/1)." With people such as McCain, and top generals within the military who have such strong opinions on this matter it only makes the debate continue on, and progress on the Act to slow down. Is the reason they stand so firm on banning the repeal because the military really isn't ready for this kind of change? Or is it because these influential government members are homophobic? When debating this issue does it really matter what the average American thinks? Or should only how those who serve in the military be taken into account? If the majority of those who are the most affected by serving with openly gay soldiers are comfortable with it, then why even debate the issue? The media is trying to cultivate what we think to bring us to believe all this debate is necessary because the impact of what is being debated is going to be enormous. “Connecticut Sen. Joe Lieberman, an independent who shepherded the repeal to Senate passage, said he doesn't foresee a significant impact on military operations…The main difference will be that gay and lesbian members of the military will not have to live in fear that somebody will out them (http://www.usatoday.com/news/military/2010-12-20-dadt20_ST_N.htm)." The media cultivates this enormous impact but yet most believe there will be a slight impact. Some do believe there will be more changes than just this however such as, violence towards gays in their troops, discomfort from seeing gay relations, and never feeling accepted amongst their military peers. In a debate about such a controversial topic no two sides will ever be happy with the outcome. The only way to end the debate would be to allow openly gay people to serve in the armed forces and observe the effects. It may have all the problems the media has already cultivated for us, it could be more beneficial, or neutral. "The Pentagon issued a long-awaited report earlier saying overturning the ban on "don't ask, don't tell" might be disruptive at first but not create long-term problems (http://content.usatoday.com/communities/onpolitics/post/2010/12/senate-gays-in-military-/1)." The only way to end the debate is to put the repeal into practice and see how well it works.
