It is my position that allowing gays and lesbians to serve openly would be the right thing to do. No matter how I look at this issue, I cannot escape being troubled by the fact that we have in place a policy which forces young men and women to lie about who they are in order to defend their fellow citizens.
Interpretation
The quote emphasizes the importance of honesty and integrity, particularly in the context of allowing LGBTQ+ individuals to serve openly in the military.
Michael Mullen expresses a strong moral stance against a policy that compels individuals to hide their sexual orientation while serving in the military. He believes that forcing young men and women to conceal their true selves for the sake of service is inherently troubling and contrary to principles of honesty and respect for their identities, thereby advocating for the right for LGBTQ+ individuals to serve authentically.
In practice
This quote can be used in a speech advocating for LGBTQ+ rights in the military.
Some 70% to 80% of all who join the military will return to the civilian workforce. They'll return to communities, and one of the things I've worried about is the increasing disconnect between the American people and our men and women in uniform. We come from fewer and fewer places. We're less than 1% of the population.
Black men and women who refuse to live under oppression are dangerous to white society because they become symbols of hope to their brothers and sisters, inspiring them to follow their example.
People always say that I didn’t give up my seat because I was tired, but that isn’t true. No, the only tired I was, was tired of giving in.
Racism and sexism, misogyny and homophobia, they're so visible. They're out in the open. When they're visible, it's a lot easier to deal with them.
We are bound no longer by the straitjacket of the past and nowhere is the change greater than in our profession of arms. What, you may well ask, will be the end of all of this? I would not know! But I would hope that our beloved country will drink deep from the chalice of courage.
A single twig breaks, but the bundle of twigs is strong.
For what does it mean to be a hero? It requires you to be _x000D_ prepared to deal with forces larger than yourself.
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