Hiding in Plain Sight: LGBT in the Military

Hiding in Plain Sight: LGBT in the Military

The military is a unique environment, one that is often seen as a bastion of traditional values and conservative ideals. For many years, the LGBT community has been excluded from military service, with the “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell” policy in place from 1993 to 2011. This policy prohibited openly gay, lesbian, and bisexual individuals from serving in the military, and it was only in 2011 that the policy was repealed.

Since then, the military has made strides in creating a more inclusive environment for LGBT service members. However, there is still a long way to go regarding acceptance and understanding. This article will explore the history of LGBT in the military, the current state of affairs, and the remaining challenges.

History of LGBT in the Military

The history of LGBT in the military is a long and complicated one. In the early days of the United States military, homosexuality was considered a mental disorder and grounds for discharge. This policy was in place until the 1970s when the American Psychiatric Association removed homosexuality from its list of mental disorders.

In 1993, the “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell” policy was enacted, which prohibited openly gay, lesbian, and bisexual individuals from serving in the military. This policy was in place until 2011, when President Obama repealed it. Since then, the military has made strides in creating a more inclusive environment for LGBT service members.

Current State of Affairs

Today, the military is a much more inclusive environment for LGBT service members. In 2016, the Department of Defense issued a directive that prohibited discrimination based on sexual orientation or gender identity. This directive also allowed transgender individuals to serve openly in the military.

In addition, the military has taken steps to ensure that LGBT service members are treated with respect and dignity. The Department of Defense has implemented several policies and programs to ensure that LGBT service members are treated fairly and equitably. These include establishing LGBT-specific support groups, implementing diversity and inclusion training, and creating a safe space for LGBT service members to express themselves.

Challenges that Remain

Despite the progress that has been made, there are still challenges that remain for LGBT service members. One of the biggest challenges is the lack of acceptance and understanding from other service members. Many service members still view LGBT individuals as “other” and are uncomfortable with their military presence. This can lead to a hostile environment for LGBT service members, making it difficult for them to feel comfortable and accepted.

In addition, there are still legal challenges that LGBT service members face. For example, same-sex couples are not eligible for the same benefits as heterosexual couples, such as spousal and survivor benefits. This can make it difficult for LGBT service members to provide for their families.

Conclusion

The military has made great strides in creating a more inclusive environment for LGBT service members. However, there is still a long way to go regarding acceptance and understanding. LGBT service members still face discrimination and legal challenges, and there is a need for more education and awareness about the issues they face. The military can genuinely become an inclusive environment for all service members through increased understanding and acceptance.