In an era in which US military claims the only thing people need in order to serve is the ability to, a swath of American Sikhs is still left wondering, “What about us?”

In recent “gay pride” celebrations, senior leaders have repeated the mantra that because homosexuals sacrificed and fought in war zones, they earned the right to serve — even if they had been violating military regulations or moral standards.

Whether you agree with that logic or not, Sikhs have a far stronger case, having “openly” sacrificed and fought in the US military for decades until uniform changes in the early 1980s essentially forced them out.

Similarly, when the ban on service by open homosexuals was lifted, the reasoning said they shouldn’t have to choose between serving their country and “who they loved.” There is no constitutionally-protected right, of course, to being able to “love” whomever you want.

By contrast, there remains in place a ban on those who have to choose between serving their country and their religious faith — something that is a constitutionally-protected right.

Likewise, the acceptance of homosexuality in the US military required an acceptance of previously banned conduct. Acceptance of Sikhs requires only an acceptance of appearance.

Finally, the US military is on the cusp of letting US troops wear whatever gender-specific uniforms they want, as well as behave in a manner consistent with whichever gender they choose.

With such liberating, “tolerant,” and open-minded policies, why can’t Sikhs serve, too?

According to the last op-ed on the subject, written by Ajit Maan at Foreign Policy, the barrier to Sikh service isn’t morality, logistics, conduct, or any other rational policy.

It is nothing more than looks.

So what is the real reason behind the ban? I suggest that it is the lack of visual conformity that Sikhs represent.

If the US military can affirmatively permit — even seeming to promote the virtue of — homosexuality within its ranks, or if the US military can support the open service of a man in a dress, surely it can get past a guy in a turban.

Bias based on looks, after all, is the lowest form of discrimination, and according to Secretary of Defense Ash Carter,

Discrimination of any kind has no place in America’s armed forces…

It would seem Secretary Carter would support Sikhs serving openly in the US military.

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