The long-awaited report from the US military about whether they can handle the idea of gays serving openly in the armed forces is being released this afternoon. After months of surveys and analysis, it comes to the shocking conclusion that repealing the 17-year old "Don't Ask, Don't Tell" policy would cause little risk to the military's ability to carry out it's mission.
The report comes out, as it were, officially this afternoon but the Washington Post is reporting it's findings that gays in the military are not an issue with roughly 94% of those surveyed. Hopefully, this internal study will put an end to all the excuses that have drawn out the repeal of this unfortunate policy since President Obama stated his intent to end it more than a year ago. It's now up to Congress to vote on it quickly before the end of the current session and the end of their democratic majority.
I've always found this whole debate over the issue incredibly frustrating since gays and lesbians have been an integral part of the US military for decades. Their role in WWII is especially well-documented in the remarkable non-fiction book "Coming Out Under Fire" by Allan Berube
. So it's about time they are allowed to serve openly and honestly in the noblest of missions; defending our freedoms.
