Look at soldiers as people first

Unlike David Smith of the Illinois Family Institute, I am not appalled that U.S. Sens. Durbin and Kirk voted to repeal Don't Ask Don't Tell. I think this will finally desexualize the discussion about fitness to serve in our military and simplify it to what it should have been all along: the acceptance of any and all eligible human beings who wish to serve their country.

It's clear that Mr. Smith and I travel in different circles, but the ”working families” I know believe that this is long overdue. Good heavens, there is nothing extreme or radical or forced here, only sensible. Although, I suppose it will “force” those civilians and military personnel energized by fear and in denial that we all fall in unique spots on the sexuality spectrum to be mature enough to look at all soldiers as people just like themselves, first and foremost.

Ann Arellano

Lombard