A new poll surveying veterans yielded results that defy so-called common wisdom.
As the Pentagon prepares to survey soldiers about President Obama’s decision to repeal Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell, a new poll of military personnel who served in the Afghanistan or Iraq wars has finds that sexual orientation is “not a burning issue that overwhelms veterans’ lives.”
The new poll, commissioned by The Vet Voice Foundation and conducted jointly by Republican and Democratic pollsters, finds that most veterans are “comfortable around gay and lesbian people, believe that being gay or lesbian has no bearing on a service member’s ability to perform their duties, and would find it acceptable if gay and lesbian people were allowed to serve openly in the military.” Fifty-eight percent of veterans said they served alongside gays or lesbians, and only 22 percent thought they had not:
– 60% of Iraq and Afghanistan veterans believe that being gay or lesbian “has no bearing on a service member’s ability to perform their duties.” Only 29% disagree.
– 73% of Iraq and Afghanistan veterans say it is “personally acceptable to them if gay and lesbian people were allowed to serve openly in the military.” Only a quarter (25%) would find it unacceptable.
– 73% Iraq and Afghanistan veterans say “they are personally comfortable in the presence of gays and lesbians.” Only a quarter (23%) is uncomfortable, and hardly anyone is very uncomfortable (only 7%).
The survey, which sampled 45% self-identified Republicans and just 20% Democrats, suggests that military personnel are more comfortable serving alongside openly gay and lesbian troops than previously thought… [emphasis original]
Inserted from <Think Progress>
Since it’s now clear that our troops have no qualms about serving alongside gay and lesbian service people, the only people remaining opposed to the repeal of DADT are homophobic bigots from the rabid religious right and their GOP lackeys. This injustice has gone on far too long.
6 Responses to “Iraq and Afghanistan Vets OK with Gay Troops”
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Better to have a person with an accurate eye next to you than to worry about whom they sleep with.
Mark, a soldier’s wisdom.
Just repeal it already – this thing has been studied to death. If you can’t hack gay people, then how do you feel about bullets flying by your head? Stupid law, get rid of it already.
Way past due, Lisa.
“73% of Iraq and Afghanistan veterans say it is “personally acceptable to them if gay and lesbian people were allowed to serve openly in the military.” Only a quarter (25%) would find it unacceptable.”
According to the right-wing, that is probably not enough. Unit cohesiveness is an all or nothing thing…
I expect these results will be ignored by the right-wing hating class…
Of course they will, Kevin. They see themselves as absolutely right and the majority as absolutely wrong. Therefore they think they should rule.