Does it really matter?

A seasonal bit first.

The president enjoyed a bit of activity and lots of political rantings and ravings have ended in the Senate and the House and bills were signed. Finally, Don't Ask, Don't Tell is repealed. My question is: does someone's sexual orientation really matter?

President Kennedy was the first Catholic President. President Reagan was the first divorced president. President Obama is the first African American president. President Taft was so big he had a custom designed bathtub to fit him. President Roosevelt had polio and was in a wheelchair. President Lincoln was born in a log cabin, not a mansion.

Did any of that affect how they did their job? No. Does it really matter if someone is short, tall, fat, thin, white, Asian, African American, Protestant, Catholic, Amish, Atheist, Agnostic, Jewish, Muslim, Hindu, straight, homosexual, bisexual, blond, brunette, redhead, blue streaks in their hair, nose ring, multiple facial piercings, tattooed, athletic, or couch potato? Probably not.

The military has an issue with homosexuality because of the close confines etc, etc. But they allow women. Women if they are heterosexual would be interested in the men and vice versa. So what if there are men who are interested in men or women who are interested in women in close confines. They are there to do a job. They are not there for sex.

According to my husband, who was in the military, the real problem will be that so many people are not comfortable being around gays who are out. There are the social issues of family housing for gay couples, or survivor benefits, etc. In combat situations, people are there to do a job and are so dirty and tired and smelly, they do not want to be near themselves, let alone anyone else.

If you are in a car accident and get taken to the emergency room, are you going to make sure anyone who treats you is not different from you? Does it really matter if they are saving your life? Same thing, if they are fighting for this country, does it matter if they are gay, straight, or bisexual?

So if the real problem is that people are uncomfortable with people who are different? Oh, get over it.