Dear editor: This letter is in response to the column regarding homosexuals in the military and the repeal of “don’t ask, don’t tell.” While Christie Schroeder’s column sounds good on the surface, showcasing her “tolerance” and “fair-mindedness,” the fact is that allowing homosexuals to openly serve in the military is very wrong on many levels.
The military’s job is to be ready to defend this country whenever necessary, not to pander to people’s personal whims, especially one regarding sexual deviancy. This requires personnel to be in excellent psychological and physical shape. It is a well-documented fact that homosexuals suffer from greater rates of depression, drug abuse and physical diseases than the general population.
Can we expect them to perform at their best under the stressful environment of life in the military? The American Psychological Society did no favors to homosexuals when it removed homosexuality as a psychological disorder because now they can’t get the proper help and counseling they need to lead healthy, fulfilled lives.
We can expect to see promiscuity increase in the military, as homosexuals have many more partners than heterosexuals. How does this help military readiness? What about clergy and their religious freedom? Will they be forced to perform civil unions for homosexual soldiers? How can they counsel freely? If they suggest homosexuality is a bad idea, no doubt that will be called a “hate crime.”
Look for persecution of personnel who disagree with this decision, especially Christians. What about living quarters? Will the military and our tax dollars now have to pay for homosexual “bathhouses?” If you think this can’t happen, then you are very naïve.
There’s a reason that homosexuality has been anathema in human history for thousands of years. It is an unnatural manifestation of the human condition and is an aberration in society that requires help for those afflicted with it, not validation of their disorder.
The far-reaching ramifications of this decision are too numerous to list in a short letter. Once again, this decision by our government led by President Barack Obama has fired another devastating salvo into the heart of what makes the United States great. Thanks.

Betsy DeBry
Richmond Hill