Gays -- and morality -- in military
I AM a 100 percent service-connected disabled Vietnam veteran. I served in Vietnam from July 1970 to July 1971 and was honorably discharged in 1972 after three years in the Army. I also happen to be transgender. I am outraged that an active duty general called me immoral and unfit for service ("Top general against gays in military," Page A2, March 13). Our lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender men and women in uniform deserve the praise and respect of the chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, Marine General Peter Pace. They should not be the target of his homophobia. It is high time the "don't ask, don't tell" policy is done away with. From the Revolutionary war through today's wars in Iraq and Afghanistan, LGBT men and women have served with honor. How dare General Pace call us immoral and question our fitness for service.
JANICE JOSEPHINE CARNEY
Jamaica Plain
The writer is the author of "Purple Hearts and Silver Stars."
I SALUTE General Pace for saying that homosexual behavior is immoral ("General's comments boost debate on gays in military," Page A4, March 14).
Federal law makes oral and anal sex , even between spouses, and adultery crimes in the military. These laws were based on the morals of the majority of Americans 50 or more years ago. In 1993 Congress and President Clinton made it federal law to bar open homosexuals from serving in the military, bringing about the "don't ask, don't tell" policy .
Some in Congress want to make our laws more in tune with modern times. If we do so, let us do it fairly. Allow open homosexuals to serve and repeal all laws on consensual sodomy and adultery. And since sexual orientation does not matter anymore, require all shower, bathroom, and sleeping quarters in the military to be coed. It is the only logical and morally neutral thing to do.
Instead of changing the laws, Defense Secretary Robert Gates should exercise the option federal law gives him; go back to asking recruits their sexual orientation as part of enlistment. This would reduce the number of homosexuals having to be discharged.
WAYNE L. JOHNSON
Alexandria, Va.
The writer is a retired Navy commander.
GENERAL PACE might want to question the morality of a preemptive war, based on deception and misinformation, rife with incompetence, leaving thousands of civilians and American soldiers (some of whom we can presume are gay) dead or maimed, and then ask himself how he feels qualified to speak on any issue having to do with morality.
LINDA THRASHER
Wellesley
SEVERAL MAJOR denominations in this country marry same-sex couples. Many more affirm the sanctity of same-sex love relationships. And yes, some still cling to the notion that people who follow their innate attraction to people of their sex are immoral and evil. General Pace apparently subscribes to the latter. He attributes this prejudice to his "upbringing," which apparently gives him the right to sit in judgment of others who do not share his prejudices, and to continue the repression of military personnel who do not conform to them.
The military will continue to lose tens of thousands of valuable men and women because of views like his. His statements demean hundreds of thousands of gay men and women who serve or have served in the military, and insult tens of millions of citizens of this country who do not share his prejudices.
I call on him to apologize for the injuries he has done through his words, and to initiate reforms to military policy that reflect this country's traditions of religious and intellectual freedom rather than his upbringing.
RUSSELL STAFFORD
Lancaster 