Saturday, March 13, 2010

"Don't ask, don't tell," is a policy the U.S. military has kept in place for well over a decade, but some Kansans are joining a national effort to repeal it. Since 1993, the military has said it won't ask members about their sexual orientation, and it doesn't want members to tell it. Soldiers who openly say they're not heterosexual will be discharged.

Dan Manning is one Wichita resident helping lead an effort to repeal "don't ask don't tell." He's a West Point alumnae, and served as a platoon leader in Korea.

"The opportunity to serve your country is just one of the most amazing things you can do," said Manning.

But he says he wants Americans to be able to serve more freely.

"The first time you say you're gay, then you're gone," said Manning.

For this reason, Manning kept his sexual orientation to himself while serving in the military.

"Having to be in the closet while you're serving a country that proclaims equality for all, when in reality that's not true," said Manning.

Manning took part in a panel discussion in downtown Wichita Saturday night. The discussion aimed to help start a local conversation about the debate underway in Washington D.C.

"We've got a military base here in Wichita, but also have a strong gay community here in Wichita, and there is crossover there," said Sedgwick County Democratic Party Executive Director Lyndsay Stauble.

President Obama announced he wants to repeal the "don't ask don't tell" policy during his State of the Union address this year. But some Republicans say the policy was enacted for a reason, and Congress needs to study its effectiveness before repealing it.

"We need an open evaluation," said Republican Alabama Senator Jeff Sessions last month.

Manning says he's confident any analysis will show it's time for the policy to go.

"Once you get to know the person, once you know who they are, and realize that there's nothing wrong with being gay, that changes a lot of opinions," said Manning.

A bill to repeal "don't ask don't tell" was introduced to the Senate earlier this month. Several current and former military leaders say they support reconsidering the policy, including former Vice President and Secretary of Defense Dick Cheney.