Anatomy of Don’t Ask Don’t Tell
I’m a Grey’s Anatomy fan. Great cast. Great writing. Great stories. I had no warning about last night’s episode, so imagine my surprise when I sat down to watch and the storyline unfolded. A young soldier who’s diagnosed with a terminal brain tumor consented to be part of a clinical trial run by Dr. Grey. The soldier’s Army doctor, along with his father (who’s also a retired Army officer) are in the soldier’s hospital room when his “best friend” and fellow soldier arrives, decked out in his ACUs, to be at his buddy’s side. There’s immediate tension along with several knowing glances between the two soldiers. When Dad and the Army doc. leave the room, the soldiers share a passionate kiss. Dad walks in on the embrace and throws the “friend” out, just before the Army doctor enters the room.
Dr. Grey talks to her patient as she prepares him for surgery, telling him how ridiculous she thinks “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell” is and tries to convince her patient that he should take this time to be with the love of his life, who’s now sitting alone in the waiting area. Knowing that he is probably not going to survive the surgery, and knowing that any further displays of affection will likely result in his boyfriend’s discharge from the military, the soldier refuses to see his love before going into surgery, choosing instead to save his boyfriend’s career.
He dies.
This story is not all that unfamiliar to the more than 65,000 lesbian, gay and bisexual men and women who are currently serving in our Armed Forces. All members of our military make great sacrifices to serve this country, but the sacrifices made by those who are lesbian, gay or bisexual are compounded by the fact that they are forced to serve in silence. They have to be careful about how they communicate with loved ones – restricting phone calls, letters and emails for fear that someone will find out about their sexual orientation. Worrying that if they are wounded or killed in combat, their partners will not be notified. Had this soldier’s boyfriend not shown up at the hospital the way he did, he likely would have been one of the last to know of his partner’s death.
Last night’s episode of Grey’s Anatomy brought home the very real consequences of “Don’t’ Ask, Don’t Tell.” It’s time to pass the Military Readiness Enhancement Act, repeal this discriminatory law and start treating all of those who serve our country with the dignity and respect they deserve.
You can see last night's episode of Grey's Anatomy at http://www.abc.com/
Labels: DADT, don't ask don't tell, grey's anatomy
05-09-08
1 Comments
Comments for this entry are closed.Alex Lada on December 31, 1969 at 02.00 pm
Wow. Sad thing is, most likely that situation has probably already occured many times to real life people.
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