Don't ask don't tell.

[Avarith]

Now we have to show just because we are who he are and in the military it does not mean we wanna have sex with every one, we have not yet and we will not now.

You don't want to have sex with everyone? What are you, out of puberty?

In all seriousness though. Yay equal rights and stuff. I don't really know what to say; I haven't been paying much attention to this stuff.

I guess you have to where the shoes to understand what it is like walking in them. =P

 

[brodie21]

my opinion is thus, if they are willing and able to serve in the military more power to them. while being gay/lesbian still unnerves some people, i think that we should not be denying people who want to serve their country the opportunity to do so.

 

[Avarith]

Sexuality Doesn't matter on the battlefield. Why would i care about someones choice in partner if they are helping me fight.

This is my belief as well, but it seems that others think it is. They think just having a gay guy around is such a big deal and it is sad really.

 

[Avarith]

my opinion is thus, if they are willing and able to serve in the military more power to them. while being gay/lesbian still unnerves some people, i think that we should not be denying people who want to serve their country the opportunity to do so.

Some how the joker clap seems to make your point stronger.

 

[adakias]

I've never understood any of this. Like, both sides confuse me. I don't get why they'd want people to hide their sexuality, and I don't get why anyone would want to tell them. I dunno. Sexuality seems irrelevant when it comes to the military. I'm all for gay rights and I think the "don't ask, don't tell" thing was kind of ridiculous, but... I dunno. I guess I think some things are better left unsaid in situations like this. Like, if you tell someone, and they get all uncomfortable, and then they treat you weird, and then you feel all uncomfortable... I mean, you can never tell how people are gonna react... Like I said though, I just don't get it, and I can own up to that. ._.;
Now I feel stupid. xD

Atleast you admit this some people would rather just let things go. Sexuality should no matter but it some how does and it makes life difficult. It seems no one is willing to trust a gay guy unless it is a girl or another gay guy here, and vice versa. It is sad that it seems that it is just a bunch of kids running around acting like they can catch "the gay", like it was some sort of disease.

It's a shame. I'm not like that (I have absolutely no problem with it), but I know a lot of people who, sadly, are still in that mindset. A lot of the guys I know aren't against gay rights, but they are a bit jumpy around gay men... it's sad.
I just don't want anyone to get hurt, primarily gays. People can be mean, you know? That's my main priority. Is coming out worth the possible discrimination and abuse? That's what confuses me mostly. I'm clearly missing something here.

 

[brodie21]

Next stop, Transgenders in the Army.
Then US will be closer to Sweden in that regard.

What step comes next, I wonder? ...A gay/bisexual president/presidentess? That seems like a not bad thought that America may be ditching its Southern ways.

as long as he/she does a good job, whatever. but i dont think that the majority of america is ready to go that far yet. i think that first a woman will be elected prez and then maybe a gay/lesbian person. but i dont see this happening for a while. while many may talk about progressiveness, the truth is that people hate change, they love the status quo

 

[archvile93]

This is a good thing. It was always a stupid law. If I'm in combat, the last thing I'm worried about is the possibility that private Jack is checking out my ass. I also very much doubt that Private Jack would be too distracted by the opposing forces' attractivness to shoot back.

 

[Wildcard5]

If someone is willing to be a soilder I could care less about their sexual orientation. It is good to see "DADT" finally repealed.

 

[Lightnr]

OP: uhhhhh please revise your post? There are many things I think you spelled wrong and it makes some of your sentences nonsensical - I don't mean to put you down, but its hard to reply to a post where 35% is gibberish. Just because spell check doesn't underline any words doesn't mean that they are the correct ones to use.

OT: So what if someone is straight, and they just say they are gay so that they can be put into living quarters with the opposite sex??? Are men and women quarters separate? If they are, would gay/lesbian people have their own quarters? Its the same issue if two gay men are living together as if a straight man and woman are living together. Will there be separate gay bathing facilities? Interesting questions - lots of overhead to consider.

Also to those of you who think there is no sex in the military - there is.. a lot. People are people and they like to act that way. So many women soldiers drop out b/c of pregnancy for example.

 

[HT_Black]

Well, crap. I mean, it's nice that LGBT members of the army can openly express themselves, but you're kidding yourself if you think that they won't be discriminated against by everyone from their squadmates to the REMFs. When you've got thousands of heavily-armed and well-trained soldiers together in a warzone, the last thing you'd want to introduce is anything that can incite prejudice.

...And there goes my Draft cop-out.

 

[Saltyk]

I never saw why there was an issue to begin with. Why would there be? Why would you care to advertise your sexuality in the military anyway? Pretty sure the military frowns on any troops getting involved with each other in a sexual manner (This means men and women as well). Why would anyone want to know? Why couldn't the military just have a bylaw that punishes those who discriminate or harm others based on sexuality?

Maybe I'm just too smart for the general populace?[sub]Or maybe I just care waaay less than the general populace.[/sub]

 

[Lightnr]

Next stop, Transgenders in the Army.
Then US will be closer to Sweden in that regard.

What step comes next, I wonder? ...A gay/bisexual president/presidentess? That seems like a not bad thought that America may be ditching its Southern ways.

And then one day, we live in a world where religious, straight people are an utterly suppressed minority, anal sex is mandatory even by straight couples (this will be an unenforced but existing law much like the law today that missionary is the only allowed position in some states). As a result there emerge straight parades and rights for straight people marches, and straight propaganda by democrats, calling gays bigots, while FOX News is enforcing the gay traditions of old - imagine that.

 

[Daveman]

It's as they say, Gay men are the hardest men in the world. I mean most straight men recoil at the thought of having a big burly man try to get off with them, but not gays. In fact, most relish the thought of it. Frankly I think if anything the entire armed forces should be gay, then they'd find Osama...

But seriously, I don't know if this is true but my mate told me that there was an elite roman military outfit of exclusively homosexual men, the idea being that you'll find much harder if you're fighting to defend your lover who is right next to you. In fact in ancient Rome the love between two men was considered much more valuable/of greater importance than the love between a man and a woman, or so my friend studying Classics says.

 

[Lightnr]

Why would you care to advertise your sexuality in the military anyway? Pretty sure the military frowns on any troops getting involved with each other in a sexual manner (This means men and women as well). Why would anyone want to know? Why couldn't the military just have a bylaw that punishes those who discriminate or harm others based on sexuality?

Uhhhh... filthy filthy rotten steamy anonymous military sex?? The main reason why people join to begin with. Have you SEEN GIJane? She shaved her head to attract more men who were into the filthy military sex with military women thing.

 

[Saltyk]

Why would you care to advertise your sexuality in the military anyway? Pretty sure the military frowns on any troops getting involved with each other in a sexual manner (This means men and women as well). Why would anyone want to know? Why couldn't the military just have a bylaw that punishes those who discriminate or harm others based on sexuality?

Uhhhh... filthy filthy rotten steamy anonymous military sex?? The main reason why people join to begin with. Have you SEEN GIJane? She shaved her head to attract more men who were into the filthy military sex with military women thing.

Okay, that is news to me. I've never heard anyone mention that. In fact, everyone I've ever known who ever expressed an interest in joining the military was for the money/school/training. Never once did I hear someone suggest they were after the steamy hot anonymous military sex. Though that does put them all in a new light...

And it's been a decade or so since I saw GI Jane, but I was pretty sure it was all about a woman trying to enter the Navy Seals and she shaved her hair to defeminize herself. I didn't see the uncut directors XXX version you apparently did.

Honestly, I think you're making that up.

 

[Iron Mal]

I never really saw the problem with 'don't ask don't tell' (it's not saying that you can't be in the military if you're gay, it's just asking that you keep it to yourself) but conversely there's no reason you shouldn't be allowed to be open about your sexuality (as long as we all have the same definition of being 'open').

The way I see it, you shouldn't be afraid or ashamed to admit that you're gay to a friend or if asked by someone but by the same token you shouldn't start displaying it like a badge of honour (obnoxious gay pride just makes you look bad and perpetuates the stereotype that you oppose).

 

[Avarith]

I never really saw the problem with 'don't ask don't tell' (it's not saying that you can't be in the military if you're gay, it's just asking that you keep it to yourself) but conversely there's no reason you shouldn't be allowed to be open about your sexuality (as long as we all have the same definition of being 'open').

The way I see it, you shouldn't be afraid or ashamed to admit that you're gay to a friend or if asked by someone but by the same token you shouldn't start displaying it like a badge of honour (obnoxious gay pride just makes you look bad and perpetuates the stereotype that you oppose).

Now this is interesting, but if you are ever caught with some one you like, of the same gender. kissing or what not, you get the major boot. So DADT being gone means more than just being open it means being able to stay in the military if you are gay.

 

[Iron Mal]

Now this is interesting, but if you are ever caught with some one you like, of the same gender. kissing or what not, you get the major boot. So DADT being gone means more than just being open it means being able to stay in the military if you are gay.

It was my understanding that fraternization in general was frowned upon? Not just that of a homosexual description.

So someone being kicked out for that would actually be violating the rules surrounding that raher than because 'we don't want no gays around when we're shooting people' which doesn't sound too unreasonable.

The reason they at one point discouraged women from frontline service was because they felt that men would get distracted at critical times or would be prone to doing stupid things and putting themselves at risk to 'protect' their female comrades, now apply that to someone who's a significant other (this isn't discrimination,it's trying to keep you focused and help you avoid coming home in a body bag).

 

[Avarith]

Now this is interesting, but if you are ever caught with some one you like, of the same gender. kissing or what not, you get the major boot. So DADT being gone means more than just being open it means being able to stay in the military if you are gay.

It was my understanding that fraternization in general was frowned upon? Not just that of a homosexual description.

So someone being kicked out for that would actually be violating the rules surrounding that raher than because 'we don't want no gays around when we're shooting people' which doesn't sound too unreasonable.

The reason they at one point discouraged women from frontline service was because they felt that men would get distracted at critical times or would be prone to doing stupid things and putting themselves at risk to 'protect' their female comrades, now apply that to someone who's a significant other (this isn't discrimination,it's trying to keep you focused and help you avoid coming home in a body bag).

Well, I understand this, but Fraternization here, is sleeping with an officer while you are enlisted, They do not care if you have sex with some one of the opposite gender as long as it does not effect your work.

Worrying that if some one found out that you were gay and them coming to kick your ass or even killing you for said fact is a very real and very scary threat and that is not gone because of this but it means that it is not as big of a threat as it could be.

Though I like what you are saying and it makes sense on a few levels, I am only going with what I see here and how it appears to me. You are right though and I am glad you are making an intelligent counter point.

 

[Iron Mal]

Well, I understand this, but Fraternization here, is sleeping with an officer while you are enlisted, They do not care if you have sex with some one of the opposite gender as long as it does not effect your work.

Worrying that if some one found out that you were gay and them coming to kick your ass or even killing you for said fact is a very real and very scary threat and that is not gone because of this but it means that it is not as big of a threat as it could be.

Though I like what you are saying and it makes sense on a few levels, I am only going with what I see here and how it appears to me. You are right though and I am glad you are making an intelligent counter point.

Fair enough, my understanding of the system was wrong and thank you for enlightening me.

As for the fear of personal safety because of your sexual orientation, this is sort of where the DADT thing came in.

Realistically, it's going to be a long, long time before gays/lesbians are truely accepted and viewed as equal in society (from what I hear it's even worse in the US), being able to be open about your sexuality is a start towards this although it is inherantly going to be putting people who actually engage in this at risk (even if just for the short term).

You may have the right to be open about your sexuality (and if you're comfortable about that then by all means feel free, it would be wrong of me to tell someone else how to feel or think) but this does not mean that exercising that right is always a good idea (by all means I have the right to go out into a local pub and openly announce that I am nerdy and don't like football but I shouldn't be too suprised if I get a few harsh names and perhaps violence in return).

With more rights and freedom comes the understanding and acknowledgement that there are always consequences and potential hazards attached. You're free to be open about your sexuality and express it any way you choose but at the same time you should understand the repercussions of such action and how not everyone will be accepting or undestanding of your choice (as unfortuneate as it is, there will likely never be a time when everyone will be completely understanding and tolerant of those different from themselves, it's just human nature).

So really it's a choice between the saftey of hiding that aspect of your personality and individuality in exchange for saftey from the judgement and hostility of others or the right and freedom of expressing yourself in exchange for the potential danger of not everyone being happy about that revelation.