Comments on: Lesbian Soldier Denied DADT Discharge Now Seeking Canadian Asylum: Autostraddle Interviews Pte. Skyler James

By: Seargant

Seargant — Wed, 01 Dec 2010 03:34:16 +0000

It is so sad to see an extremist take something so albeit, wrong, out of context, and use it as fodder against something she knowingly and willingly volunteered for. To be honest, in the 10 years I’ve served, I have never seen an openly gay person treated this way in the US Military. This is a freak ocurrance for someone who very clearly is not at a level of mental maturity to handle some of the responsibilities of a professional peacekeeper/soldier. Its very sad to see that she would vehemenantly speak out against joining the military. Though agreeably it is not for everyone, her bad experience that she undoubtably had some responsibility towards, should not be used as a testament to most peoples experiences.

By: Juliette

Juliette — Tue, 30 Nov 2010 16:19:30 +0000

Dear Skyler:

Right now, I’m working on a senior paper about the DADT policy, and how it should be repealed. I was wondering if I could get a personal interview over email, or some kind of computer program, to use as an additive to it. I plan to extend farther than just the paper, in hopes to send the report, and other informational bits, to President Obama.

If you’re not interested, thanks anyway. And, I’d like to state for the record, that I aadmire you.

Juliette~

By: ash

ash — Tue, 09 Nov 2010 01:32:24 +0000

Was looking through the site and found this article. Of course I am a lesbian, black, in the army, and I am currently deployed in Iraq, been here for almost a year. It does suck ass that there is DADT, I don’t agree with it, hate it, and I hope it gets repealed really soon. As far as my experience with my peers and superiors, all of my friends/majority of the people I work with know im lez. They treat me like a sister. I’ve never gotten harrassed bullied or threatened, they actually felt closer to me. I have to be careful who knows of course (I figure out who’s a snitch or homophobic before I tell them) but they’ve been pretty accepting of it and think DADT should be repealed. There are a few who have the “old school ignorant” mindset who I can’t trust but I never really have to deal with them at work. I’m not trying to stick up for the ignorant people but I would like to say that not all people in the military are ignorant, homophobic, non-accepting. I have met some of my best friends, have had great times, and just because there are a few ignorant assholes who give the military a bad name, don’t assume everyone is like that.

There are days where I hate being in the army and there are days where I feel I made a good choice. Even though the repeal of DADT is sometimes delayed, pushed back, stalled, or feels like it’s never going to happen anytime soon, I feel like I am part of a new generation. How my ancestors before me were barred from joining the military, than asked to join but were segregated and had low (hard labor) jobs, they still joined because they wanted to. It’s hard to understand, why would someone join a system that discriminates them or puts them down? I wonder how African Americans (or even Asian Americans during WWII) would answer this question back then. I am doing it to finish my education, learn, travel, and help people. I feel like I am part of a new generation in the military. I am hoping that when DADT does get repealed that I can become difference maker in the military, a part of history. It’s only a hope that I can witness and experience the repeal; afterwards I would like to get involved/make some type of organization/program for gays in the military(military has EO reps, family organizations, womens groups, so why not gay/lesbian)……if I can prove that I am capable of serving, doing my job, making a change, hopefully I can change one ignorant mind after another….

By: SkylerJames

SkylerJames — Fri, 18 Dec 2009 19:19:14 +0000

Thank you Dre so very much for knowing and understanding the reasons I fear to come home…

Hopefully one day we really will “all be created equal”

By: SkylerJames

SkylerJames — Fri, 18 Dec 2009 19:17:10 +0000

You wouldn’t happen to be in the Toronto area would you? If so, I might have actually been there watching the play with you.

By: SkylerJames

SkylerJames — Fri, 18 Dec 2009 19:15:58 +0000

I understand what you’re saying Jim…but do realize that to not die, and at least trying to make a difference and make changes so that lesbian and gay people don’t keep dying…that’s what i’m fighting for. A better day and age that is filled with equality for all people…not just straight or bisexual people. So if you would take a minute to let that sink in.

By: natalie

natalie — Fri, 11 Dec 2009 19:43:30 +0000

Dre’

Thank you so much for your insightful and illuminating comment – and for your courageous service.

By: Dre'

Dre' — Thu, 10 Dec 2009 22:20:36 +0000

As a veteran of the Army, and a lesbian, I know how hard it is to withstand physical threats and fear of retribution. Oddly enough the people who are supposed to defend the rights of all are often the most vicious and cruel. The argument against allowing out and open homosexuality is often “I don’t want to know who you sleep with” and yet, discussions of sexual practices based on heterosexuality, and in turn promiscuity, are often celebrated and encouraged by the both tradition and current military leaders. Thank you for the great article, and I ask people like Jim, who clearly know little of military law, to contemplate the physical and psychological, if not legal ramifications of Skyler returning to the US. For those of you not familiar with the UCMJ, the punishment for desertion during a time of war can be capital punishment-death. Stay strong Skyler, and everyone else, gay or straight, please speak loudly to defend the rights of all to serve their country without fear of death by those they serve with.

By: melissa

melissa — Sun, 22 Nov 2009 23:07:20 +0000

hey skyler i recently saw a play at school which was about your situation and it really opened my eyes to how ignorant people still are. Learning about your story made me see how our world has still not come a long way in regards of discrimination, I hope that evrerything goes well for you and that you will be able to stay.

By: Jim

Jim — Sat, 21 Nov 2009 23:28:41 +0000

I’m sorry folks, but Bethany Smith is not an American hero. The true heros you should look at are all the gay and lesbian soldiers who join, fight and die without ever using DADT. Who know that they may face hate from those who they fight beside and who still would willingly die to help defend.To have to hide who you are and who you love is wrong, and in fact goes aganst the very freedom these soldiers are fighting for, yet they still do it! A day will come when who you love no longer matters, but in my opinion Bethany, if she were a true hero would return home and fight for her rights not hide out in another country.

By: riese

riese — Thu, 15 Oct 2009 05:29:36 +0000

I understand what you’re saying — if this homophobia exists, why would it be any easier without DADT? — but I disagree with your argument. Here’s why:
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1. The existence of DADT sets an example of sorts — it sends the message that gay people don’t belong in the military. It institutionalizes bigotry and makes it acceptable & legal, and it breeds an abusive, intolerant environment.
+
2. Though it’s never certain that more than one gay person will be in any given unit, there is strength in numbers. Currently it would be against the rules or suspect for anyone to even defend a gay comrade against abuse,because one wouldn’t want to put anything out there that could be interpreted as also being gay. You have no allies, and anyone who wants to ally with you risks losing their job, too. When a solid handful of gays exist in each unit — even if just the possibility of another gay coming into the group any day exists — it’s harder to become a victim.

By: Fred

Fred — Wed, 14 Oct 2009 17:31:42 +0000

My heart goes out to you, Skyler. I arrived at your story through a post on Facebook. Please keep up the fight, and reach out to me if you need any help. Not sure how I can help, but just to know that there are total strangers (yes, Americans like you) that are here to help.

Namaste,

Fred