Don’t Ask Don’t Tell repealed, University reacts; professor believes DOMA next

By: Omar Guzman/Contributing Writer

U.S. President Barack Obama signed the congressional bill to repeal the controversial policy on Sept. 20 following a nearly nine-month process.

The measure, which was initially passed in December 2010, held that ‘Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell’ would remain active until its repeal was proven to not effect military readiness.

José Gabilondo, associate professor of law, felt the delay between the passing of the congressional bill and official repeal was longer than necessary.

“Congress didn’t abolish ‘Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell’ in one fell swoop. Instead they set up this transitional process so the country and the armed services could get used to the idea of gays and lesbians serving in [the military],” said Gabilondo.

The President, along with Secretary of Defense Leon Panetta and Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Mike Mullen, concluded that allowing gays to serve openly in the military would not have an adverse effect on performance.

Congress received their formal agreement on July 22, which would end ‘Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell’ after a mandated 60-day period.

In recent years the policy has become a source of animosity, particularly among Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender and liberal groups, but actually began under Democratic President Bill Clinton.

“People don’t realize just how well-meaning [Clinton] was when he made this a priority. [Clinton] did a very brave thing by taking on this issue early in his administration … [it] was a very radical thing to do,” said Gabilondo, who appreciates the progressive intentions behind the act.

According to Gabilondo, Clinton is not solely to blame for the subsequent discontent with ‘Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell.’ The resistance he faced in Congress led to the warping of his original vision.

“His heart was in the right place, and he was listening to his gay advisors. They did not advise him well.”

Many students are glad the policy has been eradicated. Saran Nicholson, a sophomore studying biomedical engineering, is one of them.

Nicholson is currently in a relationship with an active marine, who will soon be deployed to Afghanistan.

“If someone is willing to go there and take a bullet for you, does it matter if they are gay or not? Your sexual preference doesn’t make you any less loyal or skilled,” said Nicholson.

Eunice Ikpe, a sophomore studying nursing, agrees.

“People shouldn’t have to hide who they are … they are doing us a favor.”

Following one major legislative victory for the LGBT community, many are wondering what their next high-profile battle will be.

Gabilondo believes the Defense of Marriage Act—colloquially referred to as DOMA—is next on the chopping block, though he believes minor bills will be passed with relative ease in the near future.

Giovanni Correale, a senior majoring in psychology and president of the University’s Stonewall Alliance agrees.

“Do I think [DOMA] is the next big-ticket item? Yes. Do I think it will be the next item to be handled? No.”

DOMA is a federal law that defines marriage as between a naturally born man and woman.

It also nullifies Article 4 of the Constitution—otherwise known as the Full Faith And Credit Clause—in regards to same-sex marriage.

Meaning states such as Florida, that recently passed a measure defining marriage as a strictly heterosexual institution, does not have to recognize same-sex marriages in other states.

Obama has decided to stop upholding DOMA in courts as same-sex couples across the country sue the federal government—a sign of his stance on the issue.