INDEPENDENT LENS | ASK NOT | Film Clip #4 | PBS

http://www.pbs.org/independentlens/asknot As wars rage in the Middle East, the U.S. military is eager for more recruits—unless you happen to be openly gay. ASK NOT explores the tangled political battles that led to the infamous "don't ask, don't tell" policy and reveals the personal stories of gay Americans who serve in combat under a veil of secrecy.

In this clip, a gay former soldier responds to radio show callers objecting to gays in the military. ASK NOT premieres Tuesday, June 16 on INDEPENDENT LENS, a weekly series airing on PBS. Hosted by Terrence Howard, the acclaimed series showcases powerful and innovative independent films. Presented by ITVS, INDEPENDENT LENS is broadcast on PBS stations nationwide. Visit the Web site for more:http://www.pbs.org/independentlens/asknot

Category:

Film & Animation

Tags:

• pbs
• independent
• lens
• documentaries
• ask
• not
• don
• tell
• homosexuality
• gay
• service
• members
• sexual
• orientation

[wildpeachatl737]

There have been gays serving in the military since their inception. It's not the gays who pose a threat - they are committed to carrying out their mission -it's the homophobia that has been so prevalent in military culture that is the real threat to troop safety and the cohesiveness that is a necessary component of any fighting force.

[azulo65]

If someone is prepared to put their life on the line to defend my life and freedoms then I could care less who they fall in love with.

[mizzoulibertarian]

A standing army we shall have, also, to execute the execrable commands of tyranny; and how are you to punish them? Will you order them to be punished? Who shall obey these orders? Will your mace-bearer be a match for a disciplined regiment?

Patrick Henry

[JulieRebu07]

true dat but still america shouldnt be having this problems if its so open minded we still have problems with sexual preferences and race

[justinwlaurab]

I agree. I advocate the beautiful, glorious, heaven-on-earth concept of "Individual Rights"--life, liberty, property, pursuit of one's own happiness in one's own way win or lose. That's morality in my book.

[roberes34]

Yeah but still America is sort of like Iran but Christian and a little more civilized, that's why they don't like each other, they're in oppsite ends. They still have to grow much more. In the government there is a lot of discrimination, their laws still don't grant gay people full rights and there are lots of people with doble moral standards. They preach one thing but do the opposite, in few words there is too much hipocrasy in America. Peace!

[UnoSemper]

They should speak about str8 military men that are sexually abusing females while on duty....

[justinwlaurab]

I agree with you on this.

[killerskillet]

that's a pretty stark contrast over say... Canada? Or the Netherlands or Sweden or France or most any country in the EU. What I mean is American to Iran is a massive jump, and most of the listed countries above are truly freer than we are in America.

[justinwlaurab]

I think it's pretty open minded. See how long you'd live in the middle-east if you were openly gay. I'd pick America over Iran anyday.

[justinwlaurab]

It's not America that has made the this bad judgement--it's people who have gone against what America stands for. America stands for protection of individual rights (life, liberty, free speech, property, pursuit of one's own happiness). We pay the military to protect those rights, not to discriminate against people for exercising those rights.

Atlas will shrug!

[cineasta71]

that's why the end of America is coming soon...they should accept everybody incluiding gays..theres nothing wrong if they want to take it in their rear end..theyre human beings. You guys are retarded.