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

(CBS/iStockphoto)
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
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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?