How do you feel about gays in the military?

Question

Please state which country you are from along with your opinion. Americans please address don't ask don't tell. And Brits please respond with your thoughts and perceived public response to lifting the ban. Thank you very much.

ok there was no ban in the uk but there was a fight over whether it would be allowed. it came down that gays were allowed. i guess i was asking i fthere was any public fallout from that.

Answer 1

See I never really understood this issue. As I served in the Military I have known that some of the people I worked with were gay or lesbian. They never made advances, and did their job just like everyone else. Here we are the free country, but yet how free are we really? We say that gays are equal, but then we say they can not serve. We claim that all people have the right to believe what they want, but you just can't believe it and serve. I never thought that a person williness to lay their life on the line for their country should be granted unless they are something we don't like. I truely believe that we have bigger issues in America to face without having to deal with this. I also believe that just like the idea of different races in the military has changed this to one day will pass.

Answer 2

The primary reasoning behind banning gays in the military was the fact that sexual relationships between service members are contrary to good order and discipline. Romantic relationshipts create unneccessary conflict within the military unit, bringing with it issues such as jealosy, revenge, distrust, etc.,. And on the battlefield, these become life and deat issues.

Since the addition of women into the armed forces, that problem has ceased to be a "homosexual" issue. Anyone who has served in the U.S. military in the last 10 years knows that sexual relationships between military members are now common place. And that is causing severe problems in the military. It is not the presence of women that is the problem, but the mixing of units.

"Don't Ask, Don't Tell" works only to the degree that it prevents sexual harassment. Specifically, there is no place for "guess who I screwed last night" in ANY workplace conversation. And in regards to THAT issue, it doesn't matter whether you're gay or straight. Sexuality, in general, is a bedroom topic. It is for you and your mate, and maybe your doctor.

Personally, I don't see how a person's sexual orientation would effect their ability to do a job. "Don't Ask, Don't Tell" was developed by the Clinton Administration as a way to avoid making a controversial decision.

The right thing to do would be either to ban homosexuality in the military, or to allow it. There's no middle ground on this issue. Unfortunately, nobody in the position to make decisions seems very interrested in doing the right thing.

Answer 3

I am an American and in the Army. I have no problem with "don't as don't tell." Guess what, before "don't ask don't tell", I am sure there were people not telling. I have a friend in the Army that is gay but he just is not flaming about it. He acts like a real guy and does not try to get with other soldiers. I just do not want to be in an Army where people can act like a flamer. Oh yeah lesbians, I think are totally acceptable. Go figure.

Answer 4

As a gay man mysef, I do not see why it is an issue. Performance as a soldier does not have anything to do with orientation. Some of the best soldiers have been gay, such as the man who was in the SAS when it was first established and who then re-established it in Malaya after the second world war. He was an ex-boxer, hard drinker and even harder and braver man, so it aint like he was eyeing up the men under his command and worrying about his uniform getting dirty!!! So why should it be an issue if the man is gay or straight if it does not affect his work?

Answer 5

I am an American and I have no problem with Americans fighting for their country regardless of sexuality. I think that the don't ask policy is completely appropriate as it shouldn't matter anyway. However, if a gay soldier does come out during their time of service, they should not be automatically kicked out.

Answer 6

Are you allowed to feel gays in the military? Goodness poor chaps.... I'm sure that borders on sexual harrassment... or maybe they like and its in their job description in which case good for them!!!

LOL!!! Sorry, I can't think of a serious response to a ridiculous question..... other than why would we feel anything about them.... I hear the military should be pleased with whatever they can get these days.....

Answer 7

U.S.A. I think the gays should be able to serve in the military as long as they can focus on their jobs and not on the other soldiers if they wanna fight for our country let them they have evry right to but like I said they gotta take care of duties and just worry about that

Answer 8

Im British, and my personal opinion is if you wanna join the army and die in some god forsaken country for a government and country that doesnt care, knock yourself out.

I dont say this as a pacifist, my Uncle is in an armoured cavalry division. I just pity those who want to join it..

To REALLY answer your question, why shouldnt they fight? Its liek women, they should be allowed to fight as well..maybe we'd have less war crimes then..

Answer 9

The spartens 1 of the toughest fighting armies the world has seen were all gay.
Thing is that emotional attachment clouds your judgement. If you were fighting alongside someone you were in love with, how would you act?
Fighting forces are built on trust in one another. As 99% of the world are straight they trust a gays how can it work?

Answer 10

As long as they can do the job, I don't give a damn if they're gay or straight, male or female, black or white, tall or short, or whatever. And I hope there isn't any affirmative action in the military. I hate that policy: turning down qualified applicants to have a more diverse, but possibly less-qualified, personnel.