Poll: Most Want "Don't Ask, Don't Tell" Repeal

(CBS/iStockphoto)

By a 57 percent to 36 percent margin, Americans say openly gay service members should be allowed to serve in the United States military, a new Quinnipiac University poll finds.

Two in three say the current "Don't Ask, Don't Tell" policy banning openly gay service members amounts to discrimination.

Voters from military households were split on a repeal of "Don't Ask, Don't Tell." Democrats overwhelmingly backed repeal, while Republicans oppose it 53 percent to 40 percent. Independents backed repeal 56 percent to 37 percent.

The findings point to widespread support for repealing the policy but also mixed feelings on how such a change should be implemented.

For example, American voters are evenly split on whether gay and lesbian personnel should share quarters with their straight colleagues. And half say the Pentagon should not provide for domestic partners of gay personnel.

The survey also finds that 54 percent say gays and lesbians in the military should be restricted in exhibiting their sexual orientation on the job.

Still, there is clear consensus that the current policy – which Adm. Mike Mullen recently said he personally opposes – should be ended.

Eighty-two percent of American voters say the military should stop pursuing disciplinary action against gay and lesbian servicemembers who are outed against their will. Nearly two in three say ending "Don't Ask, Don't Tell" will not have a negative impact on military effectiveness.

-More Tolerance for Gay Troops in Military

[Dennis P Baker]

I hate polls. Who took this poll ? Did any of you ? None of my friends, relatives, or fellow service members took this poll or knew anything about it. How can they say what Americans think ?

[sr86]

The bottom line is that no matter what laws are changed gays and lesbians will not be walking around announcing to everyone that they are gay, just like the straight male soldiers dont go around to every female and say hi I'm Amn. Brooks and I like females. Again they will not be trying to sneak into barracks to have sex anymore or less than straight soldiers would. We need to be adults and get rid of this notion that gay people escpecially gay men just go around with their wrists flicked trying to hit on everyone in sight. These men and women are disciplined and have military bearing just like if not more than the straight ones. Maybe the problem is that we need to weed out those soldiers that have this hatred inside of them for whatever reason. I have served proudly for almost ten years and as a woman in the AF I have a career that is made up of predominantly males.I can assure you that most of the males I deal with can not go a day without speaking about someone's race, sexual orientation, or gender. All you hear is them talking about the girl they boned last week or a comment about someones race. This is what is truly disturbing to me. If what Jerry is saying is true about his units then we should be terrified that anyone would serve with people like that. To me that hatred is whats not natural.

[riptide213]

Allowing uncomplicated nonpunitive administrative self initiated US military service obligation contract termination rights to all heterosexual service members as offered under present DoD DADT policy must be a fundamental underpinning of any new DoD openly gay and lesbian active duty, reserve, or guard workforce policy.

US military is an All Volunteer Force.

Homosexuals and bisexuals have, are, and will always be serving their country with distinction in the finest traditions of military professionalism.

Homosexual or bisexual citizens who volunteer to seek out and serve in US military know current DADT policy thus can opt to obligate themselves to initially serve, continue to serve, or once committed decide for themselves how not serve their country under these well known, by law organizational rules.

Currently under DADT a homosexual or bisexual military member can self initiate a legal separation from military service by if, how, or when they choose to express their sexuality or simply self identify themselves under DADT, thankfully most do not elect to utilize this option.

However any equitable change to current DADT policy must be directly linked to a reciprocal legal separation option for any and all serving heterosexual military members who no longer desire to serve their country in a new openly gay and lesbian permitting All Volunteer Force.

Explicit nonpunitive administrative self initiated legal options to forsake All Volunteer Force legal contracts must be equally provided to any and all existing service personnel who no longer wish to serve in the new openly gay and lesbian US military.

Degrees of a volunteers personal sacrifice or hardship regarding military service and sexuality is unique thus must be respected with equal value.

If or when they choose, allow anyone currently serving in military an honorable end to their volunteer contract or service obligation with an option to depart military immediately upon repeal of DADT.

If regulations and Uniform Code of Military Justice law are to be rewritten and modernized to permit complete open sexuality, are we ready to rewrite all corresponding military regulations, policies, traditions or taboos restricting any gender mix and match cohabitation or unisex access?

Woman in all military occupational specialties, no exceptions thus full combat roles for all?

How about modernizing current US military draft legislation to include female citizens?

How about nationalized US military conscription for all?

Overabundance of military related policies worthy of updating, why just focus on or stop with DADT?

[hyhybt]

Why, exactly should a new loophole be created to replace this one? If you sign up for service, serve.

[JerryChristian]

I am a former military man, and I can tell you having openly gay men in the military is a huge mistake. It isn't that they can't fight and serve their country just like a straight male. Here is the problem. You can't stop bigotry. These gay men will be thrown overboard and lost at sea. They will be shot in a combat zone by their own comrades. If they approach the wrong guy, they will be beaten, possibly to death. If they look at a guy in the shower, in any seducing manner, they will be brutalized. And no one will come to their defense. As a straight man, if anyone approaches you in an improper manner, he will be in for major problems. It is not fair for the gay person. If you wany gays killed, just let them serve openly in the military. No one can be protected 24/7. We must think deeper than gay rights. We are putting lives in jeopardy.

[AOCGUY]

Jerry, you must have served in some screwed up units. I've served for over 28 years on active duty and a nother 10 as a mil contrcator attached to a military unit and I have seen nothing that would suggest what you have said. In fact I would bet that most servicemen and women have bo problem.