I will not lose any sleep over the demise of Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell (“DADT”), the policy that both restricts the military investigating secretly gay service members while also barring openly gay people from serving in the military — it will be phased out by the end of this year. Why? Because the DADT has always felt a little awkward. I mean, you can serve in the military as long as you are gay but you can’t talk about it? That doesn’t sound like America to me. This is an interesting debate that has created unexpected alliances. For instance, ultraconservative Rep. Ron Paul was one of only five Republicans in the House who voted last week to repeal DADT.

National polls show that 75 percent of Americans believe that openly gay people should be allowed to serve in the military, and 66 percent believe the current policy is discrimination. I find myself agreeing with these majorities.

Although I have no military experience of my own to draw upon, I found some quotes from military experts that share my sentiments. For instance, General John Shalikashvili stated in 2007 that: “If gay men and lesbians served openly in the United States military, they would not undermine the efficacy of the armed forces. Our military has been stretched thin . . . and we must welcome the service of any American who is willing and able to do the job.” Colin Powell said he thought that the policy was “correct for the time” but that “16 years have [passed], and a lot has changed with respect to attitudes within our country.” And in 2008, over 100 retired generals and admirals signed a statement urging Congress to repeal DADT.

I am not convinced that our military cannot function with openly gay service members. Of the 26 members of NATO, 22 permit gay people to serve. An Israeli consulate stated, “It’s a non-issue. You can be a very good officer, a creative one, a brave one, and be gay at the same time.” I do, however, agree that DADT should not be terminated before the Defense Department completes its report on the issue.

Many of my Republican friends are resisting this change and argue that the repeal of DADT will destabilize the military only to advance an agenda. I am convinced that DADT will be terminated regardless of any opposition and the GOP will not do itself any favors by jumping in front of a moving train. While I am not a proponent of carving out special privileges based on sexual orientation, I cannot see the justification for continuing to exclude openly gay Americans from defending our country.

I am a strong supporter of the men and women who serve the USA, and have confidence that they will rise to meet this new challenge.