After attaining an abolition of slavery, suffrage for women, and an elimination of discrimination, the United States still cannot seem to settle on its policy regarding openly- gay individuals willing to serve their country in the armed forces.

In 1993, Bill Clinton passed the “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell” policy to inhibit enlistees  from openly divulging information about their sexuality, whether on or off-duty.  Under the law, military officers are required to discharge individuals who disclose their sexuality, but bars them from disclosing service members’ sexual orientation.

In early October, Senator John McCain filibustered a bill to repeal the “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell” policy. A senate-wide vote was held and Democrats fell short of getting the policy to the senate floor by two votes. Later that month, officials labeled the law unconstitutional.Soon after, a three-judge panel allowed military officials to continue discharging openly homosexual individuals so that an appeals court could fully consider issues.

“By passing the Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell policy, Clinton originally intended on eliminating pressure felt by gays who wanted to enlist in the military,” Government teacher Angie Gonzales said. “In some sense, Clinton was striving to create a form of protection for gays. However, it has brought many issues regarding a person’s civil rights and liberties.”

To this day, the “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell” policy has called for the honorable discharge of over 14,000 servicemen and women solely because of their open homosexuality. As of 2006, over 70 percent of individuals in the army said they were comfortable serving with gays and about 75 percent of Americans feel military personnel should be allowed to serve openly.

“Gays are already serving, gays have always been serving, and gays will always be serving,” Humanities teacher Patrick Hughes said. “I think it’s interesting how some old white senators, guys in their 50’s and 60’s, think it’s a major problem, but the students in my classes, who are similar to the actual servicemen in age and mindset, don’t find it a big deal.”

Recently, an openly-gay male who was discharged from the military may have his pending retirement revoked. After 19 years of service, his pension stands a single year away. Proponents to gay rights argue that he should receive the money and should never have been discharged.

As discussions continue, the controversy will swirl on in the government and in Palmetto’s halls.