Reply #31: You May Be Right

[iamjoy]

I realize that ending the ban on gays serving in the military will not end discrimination. These first brave ones to openly serve will likely be the target of harassment and abuse. They will be intimidated from reporting it, in many cases meeting apathy at best and retaliation at worst. This is what a lot of women face now.

While most young people (under 40) in this country may favor full equality for gays, those numbers are lower amongst the ones who would join the military. In general those who opt for a military career have more traditional values, as well as greater respect for authority and hierarchy. I realize there are exceptions, but overall...

Anyone who thinks lifting the ban on gays in the military won't cause problems is naive.

We cannnot compare the US to other countries, most other industrialized nations see things differently than we do.

And yet, I could not disagree more if you think any of this is a reason to delay doing what is right. We would be cowards to shrink away from correcting an injustice because it is hard or may be unpopular.