Highlighting Sexuality in a Post-DADT World

One of the main arguments for repealing the ban on homosexuals serving in the United States military was that it would be a “non-event,” and all anyone had to do was ‘shoot straight, not be straight.’ In an interesting bit of irony (or hypocrisy), various organizations continue to emphasize the sexuality of homosexuals, rather than de-emphasize it as they did in the runup to repeal.

For example, a group called the National Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, and Transgender Veterans Memorial Project has been working for a few years to publicize and fund a DC-area memorial for homosexual veterans. To be clear, that memorial would be for veterans of the military who were notable for their sexuality.

Similarly, cities continue to host the “Gay Games,” which make a point of distinguishing athletes not on their physical ability, but on their sexuality. Rather than emphasizing the ability to throw a javelin ‘straight’ over whether or not someone is ‘straight,’ the homosexual community is segregating itself in the very way it claimed was discriminatory just a few years ago.

The US Coast Guard even got in on the act, with a Facebook announcement highlighting USCG Lt. Hillary Allegretti’s win in the Gay Games Triathlon, complete with a picture in uniform.

It’s an interesting “balance” for some activist groups, trying to demand “equality” without regard to sexuality on one hand, while emphasizing the “difference” with explicit regard to sexuality on the other.

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