Open Gays in military - how has it worked out?

nearmiss · #1 04-20-2012, 03:49 PM

I'm not trying to start a political post... so don't go there.

Do you have experience or have knowledge of this?

There are countries that have open gays in military and I am wondering how has that worked out?

5./JG27.Farber · #2 04-20-2012, 03:51 PM

Are you gay and thinking of Joining?

In the UK its "allowed" but the soldiers dont like it and drive them out from what I hear. However the British Army has under gone massive changes in discipline - the old ways are out.

This is however hear say as this is what I heard from my best mate who is leaving the army this year.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ol5Dfs7jqFI

swiss · #3 04-20-2012, 04:33 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by nearmiss

I'm not trying to start a political post... so don't go there.

Do you have experience or have knowledge of this?

There are countries that have open gays in military and I am wondering how has that worked out?

Depends on function and position, armies are like huge companies, you sure can find use for them - most likely not in the combat units.

AndyJWest · #4 04-20-2012, 04:54 PM

There is a decent article on the subject in Wikipedia, with links to more: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gays_in_the_military

As for " most likely not in the combat units", that is clearly untrue - back in the days when people were being dismissed from the military because of their sexual orientation, they included plenty from combat units. For a current example of a frontline gay British soldier, and on the consequences of his 'coming out' see here: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/arti...-decision.html

baronWastelan · #5 04-20-2012, 05:12 PM

I'm guessing DI's these days are very reluctant to order 'bends and thrusts'.

nearmiss · #6 04-20-2012, 05:33 PM

I'm thinking about morale for the most part.

When I was in military it wasn't even a consideration to allow them in.

I remember thinking... why is it I have such a problem with gays?

The I realized why. when they hit on me it was like they were saying, "you are like me", which I found very objectionable.

I am curious to know how it is working in other countries that allow gays in the military.

The reason I ask is because you cannot really get any "REAL" information about the topic.

It would be interesting to know what the military men and women are dealing with, and their perspective on it.

Afterall, all the bureucrats and politicians know what is best for everyone.

The media is clammed up tight, the politicians don't talk about it, and the Generals are all under gag orders.

baronWastelan · #7 04-20-2012, 05:49 PM

There was one CPL I knew that was said to be bisexual. Mostly I was jealous that he was having twice as much fun as me.

ATAG_Doc · #8 04-20-2012, 06:17 PM

In the Army they station them at Fort Dix in New Jersey.

seaeye · #9 04-20-2012, 06:30 PM

I served in the RN FAA for a few years. I actually went through basic training with a 'gay'. He eventually got the boot for not being up to scratch with his kit and attitude, but before he left he left a letter on another recruit's bed declaring his feelings. He wasn't forced out because he was gay though, he really was a total a**ehole.

On a similar subject, my father finished his RAF career off at a training establishment in the midlands where there were two serving 'out' transexuals. They even went as far as wearing womens uniform and went by their 'female' names.

I'm not against gays being gays, and I understand that some people are born with the wrong bits on the outside. Thing is, if they are that mixed up mentally, should and could they be relied on in high stress situations like say, a war, that the military tend to get involved in?

EDIT: I am talking about transexuals in the last part of my post, just to make it clear.

bw_wolverine · #10 04-20-2012, 06:38 PM

Someone's sexual orientation should have nothing to do with their service or ability to serve, military or otherwise.

I'm heterosexual. There are plenty of women where I work. I do not feel compelled to act inappropriately with them.

If someone can behave professionally at work, there's no workplace that should be denied to them. That's really all there is to it.

People write about lgbt issues and the military like it's 'inevitable' that if a gay person is in the military, they WILL try to have a relationship with another co-worker.

If someone can't keep it in their pants, whatever 'it' is, they should be held accountable...and unfortunately, that probably means that more HETEROsexual men would be kicked out of the military than gay people.