Open military service by gay people seems likely to be another victim of last week’s election. There’s little chance time enough remains in the lame duck Congress to repeal the prohibition. It was always a lie that Republicans wanted a survey of troops before acting. They just wanted to stall. The survey has been done. The troops are fine with the change. The older commanders — mirroring the age gap that exists on the issue — are less enthusiastic. Republicans remain beholden to the Religious Right, in which this discrimination is deeply embedded. Too bad. Time, I still believe, will eventually dissolve the calcified fear and bias against equality.

Meanwhile, married same-sex couples will increasingly turn to the courts to combat discrimination against them in the law, such as the inability to qualify for insurance benefits given other married couples.

Advertisement

Be a Part of the Fight

Step up and make a difference by subscribing or donating to the Arkansas Times, the progressive, alternative newspaper in Little Rock that's been fighting for truth for 50 years. Our tough, determined, and feisty journalism has earned us over 63,000 Facebook followers, 58,000 Twitter followers, 35,000 Arkansas blog followers, and 70,000 daily email blasts, all of whom value our commitment to holding the powerful accountable. But we need your help to do even more. By subscribing or donating, you'll not only have access to all of our articles, but you'll also be supporting our efforts to hire more writers and expand our coverage. Join us in the fight for truth by subscribing or donating to the Arkansas Times today.

Previous article Congressional redistricting Next article Dithering on tax cuts