Gay Ban Undermines the Military: Solution The MREA, a new policy

A book discussion regarding how a ban on gays undermines the military and
weakens America, was held today at the Center for American Progress.
Participants were Nathaniel Frank, author of the book Unfriendly Fire:
How the Gay Ban Undermines the Military and weakens America and
Congresswoman Ellen Tauscher (D-Calif).

Tauscher discussed the importance of removing the military law “Don’t
ask, Don’t tell” because of it prohibits homosexuals to serve openly
in the U.S. military. Tauscher claimed that it needs to be replaced by
the Military Readiness Enhancement Act (MREA), which will be
introduced in the House of Representatives. According to Tauscher the
MREA will take away the discrimination that gays are facing
when joining the army.

Tauscher stated that it was just a matter of how this act will be
implemented, because the majority of the American people want to remove the “Don’t ask, Don’t tell” policy. She also said that this is
one of America’s last civil rights battles and that people should look away from previous legislation.
” There is always a good time, to right a wrong”, Tauscher said.

Frank discussed discrimination against gays in the military and emphasized
that the current policy is not working. The policy should support the idea that sexual preference should not matter in the military, but it does the
opposite. By implementing the MREA, civil rights are being protected
and homosexuality stops being an issue in the Armed Forces, said
Frank.

Frank also discussed the resemblance of integration with African Americans
and Caucasians in the army. This started in 1948 and was a debated
issue, such as gay rights are today. From this perspective Frank said that the debate is about civil rights, not moral opinions.