September 20: Homosexuals in the Military
On 20 September 2011, the United States ended “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell.” As a result, openly gay men and lesbians could serve in the military. Shortly after midnight, US Navy Lt. Gary Ross married Dan Swez, his partner of over 11 years. They became the first same-sex military couple to marry legally in the United States.
Under “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell,” homosexuals were not allowed in the military but military leaders were prohibited from asking about a soldier’s homosexuality. However, if homosexual soldiers publicly disclosed their sexual orientation, they could be discharged. More than 13,500 service men and women were discharged under “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell.”
Openly gay men have had distinguished military service since at least 378 BCE when Gorgidas (Γοργίδας) organized the Sacred Band of Thebes (Ἱερὸς Λόχος). The Sacred Band was made up of 150 pair of lovers. The idea was that the men would fight harder defending their lovers than they would strangers. As Plutarch explained in his Life of Pelopidas, “a band cemented by friendship grounded upon love is never to be broken, and invincible; since the lovers, ashamed to be base in sight of their beloved, and the beloved before their lovers, willingly rush into danger for the relief of one another.”
The Sacred Band was the elite forces of Thebes. They were instrumental in several Theban victories including one against the Spartans. However, in the Battle of Chaeronea that was fought against Phillip II’s Macedonians in 338 BCE, the Sacred Band was massacred.
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Around 300 BCE, the Thebans commissioned a giant lion sculpture to be erected at the burial site of the members of the Sacred Band of Thebes that were killed in the Battle of Chaeronea.
–Steven L. Berg, PhD
Photo Caption: Lion of Chaeronea drawn in 1914.
Alex Kim
I think that we the American people have come a very long way in the great debate of what is and isn’t acceptable for both marriage and military services for the homosexual community.If you were to ask me this is a personal choice that an individual should be able to make regardless of others opinions. The way i see it is if an individual straight or homosexual wants to serve there country and the freedom that we stand for they should be able to make their own personal choices. If they are to chose homosexuality and gay marriage that is this individuals right and freedom and we have no say in it. we are not to discriminate people according to there sex, race, religion, so why should we be able to discriminate when its comes to sexual preferences. All and all we are moving in the right direction and these things will soon be in the past!