2009 brought many changes to the U.S., landmark events that only the annals of history will be able to judge.  One, which marks a turning in public momentum, is the repeal of the 1992 Don’t Ask Don’t Tell Act, signed into legislation by then President William Clinton.

October 10, 2009 President Barack Obama followed through with a campaign promise, to the lesbian and gay communities across the nation, by repealing the 16 year old measure.  The President has thus allowed gays and lesbians to serve OPENLY in the U.S. military.

Even with landmark choices for change, questions arise which leave us wondering “what comes next?” or “what exactly does this mean?” Talking with students within the UMass – Boston community here are some of the questions that have come up.

Is DADT (Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell) done?

As far as I know there are a number of steps left to complete before the White House and the Joint Chiefs of Staff are happy and willing to let the policy be completed on the “ground” level.  There is a study due to be completed, once and the U.S. Defense Secretary, the chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, and the U.S. President certify that repeal would not harm military effectiveness and then a 60 day waiting period happens, only then the new repeal will go into effect.  As of this moment only flag officers may initiate discharge proceedings. Before all it took was anyone going to the chain of command, meaning your supervisor, making an accusation, and an investigation would begin and when evidence was found, then that service member was “administratively separated” with either a “general” or “other than honorable” discharge from military service.  Now it means accusations go to the top officers of a command (ie: Commanding Officer, Executive Officer or Command Master Chief) and only the flag officers can make a determination if an investigation will happen or not.  Of course the CO can assign someone to do the work, then make a decision based on the other officer (or enlisted personals) findings.

To me, this is no different than before.  Just means it is a bit harder to be vindictive, so if your LGB and active, still be careful.

What is the process if I’m still active?

It is still not safe, from a legal standpoint, to be in the military and be openly out of the closet.  There are still steps the Department of Defence and the White House want completed before it’s ok to be OPENLY gay in the military.  That’s the big change: to be able to serve OPENLY.  Gays and Lesbians have been serving in the military since it was called the confederate army. We, the LGB military community, have been doing our jobs, rising through the ranks (in every branch) doing all types of service.  We are enlisted – all the way up to E9; we are officers – up to (that I know personally) O5, Males and Females, Special Forces and Combat Forces.  Being gay, lesbian or bisexual doesn’t affect your ability to perform a duty, to serve in the military or to have the values, morals and personal characteristics needed to put on the uniform.

What is the opinion of veterans?

This is like any other argument; there will always be three sides: Pros, cons, and the don’t cares, similar to the people you meet every day. 

What if I’m trans?

This is hard to answer, mainly because the answer is unfair.

As of right now there is no place in any branch of the military for someone of the trans community.

As unfair, separatist, and wrong that may sound it is the plain and simple truth.  To put it bluntly, it would be a nightmare, then add the issues of good order and discipline and you go from Dante’s 5th circle of hell (anger) and reach the 7th (violence).

It sounds like a brush-off, I know. Here is the situation: Your medical record, identification and service record all have you list as male. You walk in the door and they see female.  Where do you sleep, in a berthing with 80 females or with 120 males? Where do you shower? The military had a hard time integrating women on combat ships. Congress approved the measure in 1994, and it was 1995-1996 when it actually happened.  I was placed on one of the destroyers in 1996; 17 years later they are still having issues.  How much harder would it be to put someone who doesn’t legally and physically fall into either gender?

What will the future military look like?