‘Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell’ policy needs to go

On Tuesday, Sept. 21, the United States Senate again blocked the “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell” bill from being overturned.

This policy, in our opinion, is outdated and unconstitutional.

Thousands of men and women serve our armed forces each day, and for a few of those thousands that is even a more difficult task. Lesbian and gay soldiers are forced to lie about their sexuality if they would like to continue to serve.

Not only is this absurd and unjust, but also harming. These soldiers are basically denying their identities. A person’s identity is the most important thing we have as humans. It is what makes us who we are. You take an identity, you take a life.

And for many soldiers that is their reality. It’s time the Senate and other political leaders to take a stand for those men and women who dutifully serve our nation. They deserve that much respect for putting themselves in harm’s way and helping others to live a free life.

Isn’t that what we as a nation want to do? We want people to be like us, but what are we saying by denying our people the freedom to be open about their sexual orientation?

This nation is ever changing, and it’s time the military starts changing with us. Acceptance is possible.