KUAM.com-KUAM News: On Air. Online. On Demand.'Don't ask, don’t tell' policy repealed

'Don't ask, don’t tell' policy repealed

by Nick Delgado

Guam - September 20 is the day most in the gay community have been waiting for, especially if they have been serving in the U.S. Armed Forces - the repeal of 'don't ask, don't tell'. "This one step towards repealing of 'don't ask, don't tell' will continue to show that America's inclusive of everyone around the world, especially here in America, where our men and women enlist everyday to defend our country," explained president of No Limits, No Labels Derick Hills. He calls this a tremendous victory, saying he knew several homosexuals in the military, and with this repeal he knows they feel truly proud and dignified.

"Regardless of their lifestyle they continue to defend our country in the same manor and they respect the policies in the military and that we've always been successful in every battle that we fight across," he said.

For decades, the military prohibited service members from demonstrating or engaging in homosexual acts. The act prohibited them from also disclosing his or her sexual orientation, without the threat that they could be discharged from the armed forces. "I think we have all been very aware of the fact that there have been individuals who are homosexual serving in the military and I really just don't think that it's going to be an issue," said Aisha Bakkar, a lieutenant colonel with the U.S. Marine Corps.

She says there really is no room for sexuality in the workplace, regardless of sexual orientation, she says servicemembers are also trained to be disciplined, and believes the repeal will not impact the military's mission. "I have had Marines I served with who were not openly homosexual, but again they just don't bring that into the workplace; just like it would be unprofessional for me to flaunt the fact that I'm a female in the workplace or to use the fact that I'm a female. There's just no place for it."

A statement released earlier from the Office of the Assistant Secretary of Defense states, "Upon repeal, existing standards of conduct will continue to apply to all members, regardless of sexual orientation; all are responsible for upholding our high standards." The U.S. Army Chief of Staff also issued a letter stating "from this day forward, gay and lesbian soldiers may serve with the dignity and respect they deserve."