To the Editor:
Re “A Call to Topple Policy for Gays in Armed Forces” (front page, Feb. 3):
In World War II, African-Americans fought for a country that treated them as second-class citizens. A similar disrespect is heaped upon the brave homosexual members of the military, who under the offensive doctrine of “don’t ask, don’t tell” are relegated to having to hide who they are for no valid reason.
Senator John McCain of Arizona takes a back seat to no one for his heroic service in our country’s military, but I am disappointed and baffled over his resistance to allowing openly gay Americans in the military service.
Those who say that the presence of those who are openly gay will be deleterious to troop morale should be told to deal with it, just as those who opposed integration of the military did when that significant step was undertaken.
It is time to lay to rest one of the last remaining forms of baseless discrimination that infests our society.
Oren M. Spiegler
Upper St. Clair, Pa., Feb. 3, 2010
Note from KBJ: Maybe I'm dense, but I don't understand the sense in which homosexuals have to "hide who they are." What in the world does your sexual preference have to do with your job? What do homosexuals want? Do they want to go around saying to people, "I'm homosexual"? Just keep your mouth shut about your sexuality and you will be fine. It has nothing to do with your job. Nothing!
Keith Burgess-Jackson, J.D., Ph.D. 