Why can’t people just live and let live?

While you will not likely ever see me parading the streets advocating gay rights, or on the flip side see me out publicly bashing the life style, I am of the firm belief that what a person does behind their own closed doors (permitted it’s not harmful to anyone else) is their own business and if sexual orientation is not affecting job performance, then who are we to limit or to judge?

It’s been a hot topic of debate and there’s no doubt it will continue to be for years to come, but at least in one instance there is a move in a new direction.

After years of discussion, the US military has announced it can no longer prevent gay and lesbians from serving openly in its ranks. A law previously established in 1993 under the Clinton government stated homosexuals were only permitted to serve so long as they kept their sexual orientation secret. Anyone who was found out to be gay and serving was dismissed. With the backing of President Obama, and to the dismay of many who felt the ‘Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell’ law was appropriate, the rule has now been officially repealed.

That doesn’t mean gays and lesbians can now kiss and cuddle in the work hallways, and by the same token, neither can straight people and nor should ANYONE be permitted to. When you’re at work, you’re there to work.

It’s a step into the 20th century and just the right thing to do as far as I’m concerned.

Seriously, how does sexual orientation factor into work performance. If you pass the tests, you move up the ranks, you’re skilled at what you do and you’re dedicated to your career, why should it matter who you share your affections with so long as you’re not bothering anyone else? What about the list of higher up ranks we’ve seen – most notably Col. Russell Williams who is now in jail for rape and murder, who admitted to lingerie fetishes and the like – did we discriminate against him serving his country?

The bottom line is, we can’t judge a book by it’s cover. When Williams was hired nobody could have guessed his thoughts or known what he was capable of. We have to judge on performance and actions. Everyone, if qualified, should be given an equal chance. If they blow that chance, THEN get rid of them, not because of who they choose to spend their time with, but because they’ve demonstrated they’re not up to the task at hand.