Gays in the Military

There’s a push on right now to do away with “don’t ask don’t tell” in the military.  It’s an issue that leaves me conflicted.  On the one hand, I see nothing wrong with gay folks serving their country.  In fact, I think it’s a bit ludicrous to exclude people from military service based on their sexual preference.  The military is a very merit-oriented profession where their job is to blow up stuff and kill people.  If they do that well, why do we care how they want to tickle their unmentionables?

On the other hand, being in a military unit isn’t like other jobs.  They sleep together, shower together, eat together, etc.  If a dude is sexually attracted to other men, how is it any more appropriate for that guy to shower with other men than it is for a heterosexual woman to shower with them?  If we are going to allow gay folks to openly serve in the military, why no go all the way and break down all of the gender distinctions? 

I also look to other countries that have allowed openly gay folks to serve.  Frankly, there haven’t been many major issues in the combat effectiveness of the units.  So in the end, I lean toward doing away with “don’t ask don’t tell” and just letting everyone serve regardless of their sexual preference.