55.12%	Yes
44.87%	No

Comment: It is time to treat Everyone equally... from Pensacola,FL by Diana

Comment: I spent a sizable amount of time in the military, even worked for joint service commands. Gays were abundunt in such commands and our life style never affected our performance. One General I met AFTER getting out of service commented to me "The ONLY problem with gays in the military, is once you manage to find one who will obviously be an extremely good worker for you, and then some PREJUDICIAL SOB wants to put them out!" from Pensacola by Greg

Comment: You can't leave it up to the military to decide that. The services would still be segregated if it were left to the generals. Civilian leadership is required to ensure human rights. from Pensacola, FL by Bob

Comment: Gay people are part of our society, if they wish to serve our country and put there life on the line for us, They should be allowed to without issue. from Milton FL by William

Comment: If the person is capable of serving in the military, lifestyle,like race, should make no difference. from Molino by Sandra

Comment: they demoralize the military and the country from alabama by ted

Comment: I have never understood people's paranoia about gays in the military. They are there. They fight and serve as well as heterosexuals. There have always been gays in the military and there always will be. Get off your puritanical soap box and join the 21st century. from Midway by Wayne

Comment: What's the military supposed to do? Have Gay Officer's Club, Gay NCO Clubs and Gay Lounges on Base? What's next! from Navarre, FL by Judith

Comment: Well, I guess that would be one way to solve the pregnancy problem aboard co-ed ships! Our president has done everything in his power so far to destroy this nation. Why not gays in the military? Maybe he'll get another Nobel. from Pensacola, FL by Joe

Comment: Gays serving openly in the military would destroy the fabric of our military. It would put a stamp of approval on something that is offensive to 98% of the rest of us. from Milton by jim

Comment: NO!!! They shouldnt be allowed. Unless you have served in the military you wouldnt understand the close cohesivness that develops among its members at work and living conditions. If I'm in a communial shower facilty, bathroom, dromitory or field conditions , and I know the person I'm sharing these facilities with is Gay, it would impact how I felt, and was able to do my job and cope with the situation! Don't ask don't tell works because I don't need to know your sexual orientation! Your sexual orientation serves no purpose for the racism card to be played! I'm not judging you on the color of your skin or heritage, and to accomplish the mission, I surely don't need to know your sexual preferrence. Thank you. from Navarre, Fl by Richard

Comment: IF they are protecting your freedom it doesn't matter if they are gay or not. from Pensacola by Scott

Comment: I served in Viet Nam with a known "gay". Most everyone knew he was and nobody cared, all we cared about was how good he did his job. He was a medic and those who's lives he saved, I doubt they cared either what his sexual preference was! NeaL from Pensacola by NeaL

Comment: of course. several countries allow gays in the military with absolutely no ill affect. sexual orientation in and of itself has nothing to do with one's ability to defend their country. from Pensacola, FL by James

Comment: If they decide to enlist, they should not be given special treatment. They should be treated the same way everbody else is treated. from Pensacola by Michael

Comment: The "don't ask: don't tell" rule was bad enough. To openly have gays in the military is really going to cause a lot of problems with staights who will be forced to live, eat, and work with them on a daily bases, usually on a very close, confined area. I know I personally don't want a ship mate reaching under the table and playing with my leg at a meal, or any other time. The choice is being taken away from those who say "We don't want gays/lesbians in the military" and given to the few gays and lesbians who want to serve (for what reason, I do not know, since they know they are not wanted.) from Pensacola, Fl by Oscar

Comment: ok heres the deal what is the coralation between serving our country and what people do in the privacy of their own bedrooms? in someone is harrassed then treat it like any sexual harrassment case in the workplace. everyone who wants to serve should be able to without fear of judgement only god can do that we are not to judge. thank you for listening from pcola/fla by karen

Comment: If your sexual orientation causes a problem then fix the individual problem don't lump people into groups.If i was in a fire fight for my life i wouldn't care as long as they are on my side. by sam

Comment: Its hard to believe it is even an issue to discuss. All able bodied persons who choose to serve should be able to serve. from Molino,Fl by Kathy

Comment: Everyone acts like gays didnt exsist all the way back past the roman days. How niaeve and incredibly stupid about wars of men and woman and sexuality...look @ President Bush! from Pensacola,FL by Flower

Comment: The military is not comfortable with this at all. Men take open showers in basic and so do the women. How can you feel comfortable. Trust would become an issue with one another, and that's one thing you need in the military. The gay community needs to just deal with it. from crestview by robert

Comment: When you are in a foxhole with a buddy that is intrusted with your life you don't think about his/her sexuallity. If you do your mind is on the wrong thing. If your not in the military, You defiently should have other things for your mind to be on. It 2009 and its time to let everyone live the life that they see fit for theirselves. from Pensacola Florida by Jimmy

Comment: I strongly believe in this. I am a lesbian my partner and i have been together for almost 7 years and have a 7 year old son....My partner has not joined the military for this reason. Why should she serve our country and her family not be able to recieve benefits? Why should our whole life be a secret? EQUALITY from Pensacola,Fl by Chasitty

Comment: no they damage our forces around the world from mary esther by george

Comment: In my 22 years of service I knew or suspected several of my co-workers were gay/lesbian (G/L). The death of 2 of them from AIDS confirmed their denials. Serving in the armed forces is never easy. As most people serve as enlisted, they will receive a very modest salary, excellent training, health care and will have exemplary behavior demanded of them at all times. If G/L are allowed to serve “openly” I have no doubt it will be with honor and well done. The problems to continue to over come will be objectionable public behavior and health issues. Military members are discouraged from “public displays of affection” that go beyond a homecoming embrace. Self imposed modesty and good public behavior will determine how well the “open” service goes. The “don’t ask” military I served in had to put G/L individuals in torment and fear during their service. I think there is enough of that from the enemy. The acting out by any group has historically been met with resistance by military authority. Good order and mutual respect are watchwords of service. Current military tolerance practice goes so far as to observe black heritage month, pacific islander month, Hispanic heritage month and American Native month. All the associated events are very informative, entertaining and low key. Any G/L support would be kept low key as well. Some members will be uncomfortable with G/L individuals just as some people are uncomfortable with other races. Tolerances, civil behavior, and a good team spirit will be the test of acceptance. I have met WWII veterans who tell of G/L individuals on ship, and in their platoons. It was all low key, and nobody asked too many questions. It wasn’t a time to ask, it was a time to serve. from Valpariso, Fl by Angel

Comment: I feel that if they are willing to serve their country, and possibly face dying, they should be allowed to serve unobstructed. from Pensacola by Dennis

Comment: in this day and age...and all the slick ads for the military on tv...i think the military needs anyone and everyone to serve so the people who advocate war can send other peoples kids to war instead of their own... from p'cola fl by h

Comment: Yes. Gays and lesbians make important contributions every day to our armed forces. We should not be discharging valuable soldiers over this silliness. I've heard of Arabic-speaking gays being discharged, despite a huge shortage of solidiers with this desperately needed skill. On what planet does that make sense? from Milton, FL by Ben

Comment: As a retired Air Force NCO, let them in, dress them in a pink uniform and send them to an isolated an isolated tour, the GI's there will know what to do with them725 from Baker, Fl by Pat

Comment: There are so many reasons they shouldn't there isn't a long enough comment block. Gays and the military are not compatible. It undermines the morale and effectiveness of the military mission. from crestview by michele

Comment: Due to their abnormal behavior I don't think they should serve in any capacity. from Pensacola/Florida by Paul

Comment: Sexual advances between men and women don't stop just because your're in a war zone and THIS is one last thing a true warrior should have to worry about. Been there done that and DON"T WANT IT!!!! from Crestview, FL by C

Comment: Although I voted "yes", I have concerns. Will gays take advantage of such a repeal to be more "forward" toward fellow soldiers? Is there a policy established to prevent solicitation for sexual purposes in the military? from Pensacola, FL by Eric

Comment: Let me shoot down any argument you have against gays in the military by pointing out that one of the finest fighting forces in the world, Israel. Since the early nineties, sexual identity presents no formal barrier in terms of soldiers' military specialization or eligibility for promotion. from Pensacola by Roy

Comment: I am retired from the Navy after 24 years. I don't see a problem with gays in the military as long as they do their jobs just like you would expect of anyone. The only problem would be to determine where they would shower and sleep on a ship. Would gay males or females still stay in male or female berthings? The reason for separate berthings is obvious. But if your son, daughter or spouse was not homosexual would you want a homosexual of the same sex to shower, use the bathroom or change in the same place as them? from Pensacola/FL by Terry

Comment: As a newly retired Navy Chief I know Navy/military life. If we are going to berth homosexuals with the same sex onboard ships it only makes sense to make all ships berthing and shower facility's coed. Can anyone with a bit of sense see the problems that would arise from this? The military is the miltary, not a club to experiment with social engineering from the left! Amazing! from Navarre by Gene

Comment: When gays start serving openly The straight will quit serving. from Pace/Fl. 32571 by Ferren

Comment: Men and Women serve together- this matter is no different! Just because one is gay does not change the fact that they are an American and worthy of serving our country! I know many straight men and women that can't/won't serve our country... I commend EVERYONE- straight or gay- that is willing to lay their life on the line for mine and my kids! This is unconstitutional for people to even think that gays shouldn't be able to. Read the constitution sometime... from Hurlburt AFB by Tabatha

Comment: I've served over 20 in the finest Navy ever. I've know a few gays that have served honarbly and have the greatest respect for them, BUT I know the mind set of what most of them whould join the Military for. from pensacola fl by james

Comment: Yes. I am a former U.S Navy Blue Angel maintenance mechanic. I was honorably discharged under the don't ask don't tell policy. It doesn't matter what your sexual preference is as long as you do your job that holds up to the military standards. from Milton, FL by Troy

Comment: I don't understand what the issue is. People serve right next to gays everyday without knowing. Sexuality shouldn't matter, serving your country is voluntary, and an honor. Being gay doesn't change the soldier that has served thus far. from Pensacola, Fl by Jackee

Comment: If someone is willing to put their life on the line for our freedom, what difference does it make what their sexual prefrence is? from Jay, fl by Stephanie

Comment: Absolutely NOT!!! from Pensacola, FL by Regina

Comment: I thought this was a country ruled by the majority. Why should the majority nuckle down to a Minority? from Pace, FL by Max

Comment: I am a retired Navy CDR and I have known gays, both women and men who have served honorably thier country in the military. Our Country needs all citizens willing to serve and fight our enemies to serve. from Pensacola/FL by Richard

Comment: I think they should send ALL the gays to Afganistan! from Niceville, FL by Carolyn

Comment: I am a male and my sexual preference is female. Would a female feel comfortable having me shower with them? NO!! Neither would I feel comfortable having a male with a male sexual preferance showering with me. from Milton,FL by John

Comment: I think gay persons should be allowed to serve our country if they so choose. However, with all the homophobia in the world I don't think they would be safe, Therefore, I would have to say no at this time in history from Mary Esther, FL by Nancy

Comment: We are one of the few countries in the free world that do not allow gays in the military. It is just another way to show discrimination of civil rights to other Americans. from Pensacola FL by Bill

Comment: yes they should go ahead i know alot of men in the navy who are and one was my ex-husband and he still in there to make thing easier on him . i know he has other that are in there with him .... so let them have their life from penascola.fla by denise

Comment: I think that some of the people that have a problem with it are the same ones not giving credit to the fact these are men and women that risk there lives to sercure our United States you may not care for it or approve but I will stand behind any of the armed forces as they say if you can't stand behind them feel free to stand in front of them.Bless our troops and give support no matter there sexual preferance... from niceville/florida by christina

Comment: Just one more way for Obama to try to weaken this country! He will completely destroy this nation unless the Congress acts to stop him. from Pensacola, FL by Jim

Comment: When you are in the shower with a dozen other guys, who wants to be stated at? by jerry

Comment: Of course not, use common sense. from Pensacola, FL by Amy

Comment: Bullets and bombs don't care what a persons sexual orientation is . Congress is just as stupid as they were during WW2 when black Americans were not aloud to fight or fly .Americas law makers are a corrupt bunch biggiots ,being bought off by industry and insurance companys .They have sold off America for their own profits and benifits. from Pensacola/Florida by Kevin

Comment: I don't think someones sexual orienatation should matter. Will they serve the country or our ideals any less than a "straight" person? I don't think so. A persons sex or sexual preference shouldn't come into the discussion, only how they can best be of service to the country. from G.B. FL by L.

Comment: As long as a person is willing to fight and possibly dies for their country I see no reason to keep them out of the military, regardless of race, religion, or sexual preference from Mary Esther, FL by Robert

Comment: Gays have already made a mockery of every day life, I can't see a military gay parade. from Pensacola FL by Joanne