20th Century with Mike Wallace: Gays in the Military

Should gays be allowed to openly serve in America's armed forces? Over the last 25 years, this question has sparked heated battles in this country's "culture wars." Gays point out that they have always had a presence in the military, reminding opponents that Julius Caesar and Alexander the Great had same-sex encounters, and that it was customary in Sparta for lovers to go into battle together. Unfazed, the Pentagon counters that accepting gay soldiers would damage unit morale. Produced by The History Channel, this rapid-fire documentary, narrated by Mike Wallace, traces cases and landmark efforts launched by gay soldiers no longer willing to "serve in silence." Although there were no clear standards on allowing homosexual service prior to 1975, that all changed when Air Force Sergeant Leonard Matlovich challenged the status quo, provoking a conservative backlash during the Reagan era, followed by charges of gay bashing and sexual harassment. Later, Clinton's promise to admit gays quickly withered under fire, leading to the uneasy truce of today's "don't ask, don't tell" policy. While the program covers all the bases, it feels like an extended 60 Minutes segment (perhaps not surprisingly, as many interviews and reports were drawn from that and other CBS news shows), and the copyright date of this re-released program is a reminder of how dated the current material is now that the conservative Bush administration is in residence. Of some value as a quick review for students, this is, ultimately, not a substitute for a more thoughtful, comprehensive study of this complex problem. A marginal purchase for school or public libraries. Aud: H, C, P.(S. Rees)