Don't Ask, Don't Tell: My Take

This post came about as I was responding to comments on a Facebook page. While the other was a spur of the moment thing, the one below is edited for spelling, grammar and correctness..and the relevant links included for further information.

What I gather is that DADT does not as such seclude gays and lesbians but requires them to be discreet about and not required to reveal their orientation (don't ask, don't tell). A kind of sweeping-it-under-the-rug (or is it rag?) thing. With the repealing of DADT, gays and lesbians can be open and free about their sexuality.

While I'm may not like homosexuality or lesbianism and consider it to be a bit deviant, I have to come to recognise that above all, human beings have inherent rights and the rest of us [who are anti-homo/lesbo] should not go ahead to persecute these people and make their lives uncomfortable. Because we also become guilty of something else, for instance, violation of someone's rights....remember that these people are our brothers and sisters in the perspective of universal humanity and at the level of interpersonal relations. However, I would recommend 'soft' approaches that have the effect of changing the orientation in cases where it can work, among others. Also, these homosexuals/lesbians should not act like pastors out to convert others into that way of life...after all, by design (biologically) we are heterosexual [take it or leave it].

But, in all, we have to agree that in Africa, it is going to be very hard to accept homosexuality or lesbianism as an alternative lifestyle or whatever label they may give it. It is important to note that even in the western world, gay rights is still an area where there is a lot of advocacy/activitism for acceptance...but what is working in their advantage (the gay rights activities/activists/advocates) is that they have grown in power and influence. Hence, the significant gains such as repealing DADT, ordination of gay clergy e.g. Robinson, gay marriages, and (closer to home) a stay on MP David Bahati's Anti-Homosexuality Bill.