Gays in the military

[wipt]

A brigadier general (in the US Army)has come out, as has a rear admiral (in the Coast Guard). They are pretty critical of the current 'don't ask, don't tell' policy. When I was in the military (pre-don't ask, don't tell), it was common knowledge that some of our colleagues were homosexual. Does it really make any difference? I don't think so.

[Chewycorns]

I agree. Homosexuality does not hinder ones right to serve. As Barry Goldwater said, "You don't have to be straight to shoot straight." True indeed.

Chewy

[Grasshopper]

Sexual orientation does not hamper one's ability to defend one's country. However more education in the military would be needed as well.

[QuietMountain]

Though not a historian, I think it is safe for me to say that gays have been a part of humanity for a long, long time. Each culture/society throughout history has provided different levels of acceptance for homosexuality. For many western cultures/societies it may seem like there are more gays (both men & women) now then there used to be in the recent past. But, I think that is more a function of great acceptance and visibility in traditionally Judeo-Christian cultures/societies, rather than a larger number of gays being born.

If you believe the concept that at least 10% of the population today is gay, and you accept the above, then it is reasonable to assume that 10% of the population 10 years ago, 100 years ago, etc... were also gay. This means that throughout history gays have served successfully -- often with distinction and bravery -- in the military, whether their fellow soldiers have known it or not. Therefore, there is ample proof that gays are not "detrimental" to unit cohesion or any of the other bollox that you hear.

The problem with gays in the military is twofold, and neither has to do with gays themselves. One part is prejudice, pure and simple. As a species, we tend not to like people who are significantly different than ourselves in some way. This is even more so, when the people who are different occupy a minority group. For gays in the military, this means that once "out" to their comrades, they will often be looked down upon as now "less than" they were before.

The second issue, I think is stereotypes that are held by many people, especially straight men, about what it means to be gay. Many people think gay men find every other man (gay or straight, fat or thin, old or young, etc...) attractive. In other words, they think, if it has a dick and is breathing, we'll jump on it. Plus, they often think that we just are incapable of keeping "it" in our pants, 'cause all we think about is sex. So, they become afraid that, a.) Pvt. Gayboy will be trying to seduce and/or "convert" Crpl. Straightguy; and, b.) Sgt. Gayman and Pvt. Gayboy will, at an inopportune time (like the middle of battle), start having sex and cause their comrades to be injured or die.

[sandman]

Sgt. Gayman and Pvt. Gayboy will, at an inopportune time (like the middle of battle), start having sex and cause their comrades to be injured or die.

"Kiss me Hardy."









Sorry.

[Big Fluffy Matthew]

You want me to kiss yer what ? hock:

[sandman]

You want me to kiss yer what ? hock:

Never a comma when you most need one.

[Huang Guang Chen]

"Kismet, Hardy" . . . wasn't it?
HG

[ImaniOU]

Admit it, kids...the US military doesn't quite pull out the Nobel prize-winners from society, does it? You can't quite expect tolerance when the idea of fighting and killing (and the idea of patriotism) doesn't usually attract the most tolerant kinds of people.

I personally don't see what all the fuss about marriage and killing is about. Marriage can put a lot of stress on the strongest relationships and well, being a soldier...if you don't already know my opinion on war, I am not going to take up your time on what could turn out to be a lo-ong tangent.

[wipt]

Admit it, kids...the US military doesn't quite pull out the Nobel prize-winners from society, does it? You can't quite expect tolerance when the idea of fighting and killing (and the idea of patriotism) doesn't usually attract the most tolerant kinds of people. .

Strangely, though, the US military has been a force for change in the area of basic civil rights. The real problem is the hang up with homosexuality. The religious right and even the left are against it in general. They don't need reason as they have the bible to back up whatever they say.