This Chicago Tribune article makes me ashamed to be an American. This type of homophobia is disgusting. Our illogical policy of disallowing gays in the military has gone on long enough.
The Tribune piece is worth reading, but to summarize, it is a back-and-forth between a gay man and a recruiter, who makes many statements such as this.
OH I FORGOT TO LET YOU KNOW THAT YES YOU MIGHT TO TRY TO KISS A SOLDIER IN THE FOXHOLE SO THAT IS A NO NO. WE ONLY TAKE STRAIGHT UP MALE AND FEMALES WHO KNOW AND UNDERSTAND WHAT THEY ARE WHEN TI[sic] COMES TO GENDER.WE TAKE PEOPLE WITH HIGH MORALES IN THE MILITARY NOT GAY PEOPLE. BYE HAVE A NICE DAY
Aside from his clever use of CAPS for every word, and his wonderful "HAVE A NICE DAY" pleasantry to end the e-mail, this e-mail is at at the height of repugnance.
I agree with Mr. Hudecek's sentiments. Gay rights--including marriage, which some, such as our friend Phil Primeau argues is not a "gay right"--is one of the great no-brainers of our time: treat people equally.
It is one of those things two generations from now we will look back at with great embarrassment, and disgust as we do now about segregation, racism, slavery, witch trials. To me this is like the "torture debate." Back in 2005 I wrote the following:
There once was a time, not very long ago, when our country engaged in "serious debate" over whether or not it should be legal to enslave human beings or allow women to vote. Thankfully, due to the hard work of rational, humane people, these issues are no longer controversial.
The good news: I can assure you this effort to discriminate against gays which as we know is spearheaded by the Jesus Camp types is a losing one. Societal progress almost always takes shape in the form of liberalism and acceptance.
According to a recent and very detailed PEW report, young people--described as "Generation Next"--are by far the most tolerant generation ever. When it comes to gay rights, secularism, immigrants, interracial relationships, and even recreational drug use, young people are historically accepting of others compared to older generations, and young people polled generations ago.
About half of Gen Nexters say the growing number of immigrants to the U.S. strengthens the country more than any generation. And they also lead the way in their support for gay marriage and acceptance of interracial dating.
I don't find this to be terrible surprising. Young people have now grown up around gays to the extent where the behavior seems entirely normal to most. Compare this to to how older generations viewed homosexuality--as a social taboo punishable by an eternity in hell.
By the time today's young people make up the countries power brokers, gay marriage will likely be accepted in most states, and attempts to legislate discrimination of them into law, will be met with contempt not currently seen.
