It is an interesting situation really. The USA prides itself on being a tolerant society, one made up of from a vast group of different cultures, and yet is it? There is a series on CNN now exploring the hidden racism that exists under the surface and then there are some interesting snippets that come over the news wires. For instance it is pretty common knowledge that the US Military needs people, qualified people to serve in various areas of the Armed Forces. Yet they continue to discharge such persons when they find out that they are Gay.
Ever since Bill and Hilary adopted that program, its been a nightmare. It makes people ashamed or forces them to hide who they are. I don’t know, but what kind of signal has that been sending out to homosexuals? Specially the younger generation? Isn’t honesty supposed to be an admirable trait? So why then does the USA insist that a minority hide their differences?
Then we have simple issues like being able to translate between cultures. There are many homosexuals out there who do and can, translate various languages, like any other segment. However they aren’t suited for Government Service which again begs the question, why? Secretary of State Rice has been bemoaning the lack of Arabic Translators, yet it seems there are several Gay Translators available, already trained and already with security clearances, and yet they remain unemployed.
After she complained several times that the department was facing a problem finding translators an exasperated Rep. Gary Ackerman (D-NY) asked why the department had not hired any of the translators fired by the Pentagon because they are gay and lesbian. (story)
The Military has the argument of force cohesion and other bullshit reasons, but what is the excuse the rest of the Federal Government has? Does it even have one or is it simply discrimination by the Federal Government? Is it they simply don’t want homosexuals to serve their country because if they let them, well it would perhaps make a mockery of their arguments against Gays and their right to equality?
Or is it Spite?
The problem, as I see it, is that no matter the reasons, the signal such actions send, is what I object to the most. Whether intentional or accidental, by the Federal Government refusing to support equality for homosexuals, it sends a clear signal to the rest of society that homosexuals are not 1st class citizens like any other. That being gay is not a distinction to be proud of, or desirable if one wishes to advance in government. Sure there are token Gays in government, some even as members of Government, but how many more refuse to take that plunge simply out of fear of, not rejection, but of being Outed?
When children study history, and see how the supposed role models of democracy act towards a minority, what does it really say to them? Does it impart a burning passion to serve their country or does it make them feel its okay to yell epithets at fellow students, to degrade them and mock them? When schools are attempting to battle bullying and the violence that comes from it, what does it say to those very students when their federal government deliberately act like Gays don’t exist when it comes to filling needed government positions?
What does it say about America, about its so called Tolerance?
