Do you think openly gay people should be allowed in the U.S. Military?

Answer 1

Why the hell not?

While I am in the Canadian Forces and not the US military, I have served and deployed with openly homosexual personel of both genders.

And I have nothing bad to say about their performance as soldiers and sailors. They were professional the whole time through, and even if some of them did mention checking out their fellow soldiers, they never followed through with action of any sort. Did it bother me that I was being checked out? A bit, although it's kind of flattering in a way, too. Homosexual personnel, once knowing where others stand around them, were always respectful of others' sexuality and did nothing untowards.

And really, the same question could apply to women in the military. Can I do my job when I'm in the middle of nowhere in Kandahar Province and there is a stunner of a female soldier in the same FOB as I'm on? Yes. Would I still be attracted? Most likely. Will it prevent me from doing my job? No, because I am a professional with a job to do and said stunner is one of my fellow soldiers with a job to do and we both have other lives relying on our ability to do our duty. We of course would both know that and remain 100% professional until such a time as we can indulge in that mutual attraction, in private and nowhere near our area of operations.

As a bottom line, sexual preference is no way to gauge a soldier's professionalism and abilities. If anything, it's only a facet of that particular soldier's personality and a part of him.

And as a conclusion, let me ask this question. Straight personnel, can you honnestly me that you haven't hit the showers after PT and never checked another soldier's assets at some point, either as a comparison or with a bit of envy?

Answer 2

I was in the Army, Army JAG. Regulation 635-200, Chapter 15 is the section which discharges soldiers for homosexuality. It's still an Honorable Discharge.

Openly gay, unfortunately, no. It's unfortunate because the world, the military, and the average bigot who can join the Army isn't ready to deal with it. I've seen a lot, and gay people, when it becomes known, are targeted. Ruthlessly. So it's a safety issue from that standpoint. Because it's so divisive, it's a drain on the unit's morale, and anything that drains morale is not tolerated.

I've known quite a few gay people during my time in the Army, all of whom were basically good people, no better or worse than the rest of us. "Don't ask, don't tell" isn't perfect or fair, but the best we can do at this point in history.

Skylor Williams

Answer 3

I met an Israeli guy on a trip to Amsterdam once. He was as flamboyantly gay as humanly possible. As an Israeli, he served his mandatory stint in their military. He said that they put all the gays together and that he had a great time. Yes, THAT kind of great time.

I guess what I have a hard time wrapping my head around what difference it makes? To me, it makes no difference who other people sleep with. Some people don't like homosexuals for one reason or another, other people don't like blacks for one reason or another. The point is, it's not the minority person who has the problem.

Soldiering doesn't have a lot to do with sexuality, in my opinion.

Answer 4

I love the morons on here that will act as though they arent already in the branches of the military and the morons that think that openly gay people are all big ******* or something

im more than happy to go toe to toe with any straight guy that thinks i cant hold my own just because im gay

this is my country too and if i want to fight for her and for the rights of my countrymen then i should be allowed to

Its always the UGLIEST Motha F'ers that worry about being around gay guys....ugly bastards who cant even get snatch but yet think a gay guy is going to be all over them....get over yourselves....thats for you [e-mail]

Answer 5

Of course. If you dont think so then you're not very secure with yourself. Anyone that decides they want to defend THEIR OWN country should be aloud to, gay or not. Besides, if they made a law that banned gays and they started a draft. All they would have to say is "Im gay" and they wouldnt have to go. Unless your insecure with yourself and you dont want the other country your in the middle of an intense war with to put down their guns in the middle of a battle and start pointing and laughing and chanting "look at the queers" or "America..Land of the queers"

By the way...that last bit was sarcasm! : )

Answer 6

it may be perplexing for some human beings at first, yet then i've got heard thoughts approximately instruments the place it is an open secret and no one has a topic with it. As for despite if or no longer i'd in my view sense mushy serving...i in my view does no longer probable connect the militia besides. Compound that with the actuality that i'd be protecting a rustic wherein I nonetheless do no longer produce different equivalent rights...i does no longer be down with that, yet no longer for the justifications you will think of. I in no way look down upon or think of poorly of all people (especially different queer human beings) who do no longer trust me.

Answer 7

yes . i do.
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i think any person that can follow orders and do the job have the right to join the military. people that cant handle people being gay , i don't think they should be in the services. A persons sexual orientation should not come into play, gay people straight people, its the individual that matters .

Answer 8

I DONT think openly stupid people should be allowed contact with the general public.

What the hell does ones sexuality have to do with ANYTHING?????? As a Lesbian (VERY open) I am deeply offended by your insinuation.

I just read all the answers before mine......Im openly disgusted with most of you and totally thrilled ONCE AGAIN that I am NOT AMERICAN!!!!!!!!!!! Thank the Good Lord for small mercies.

Answer 9

I'm torn on this one as I have no predjudice against gay people but I would be uncomfortable undressing in front of a lesbian the same way I would be uncomfortable undressing in front of a guy.

In the army everyone shares a barracks. Maybe gay men should be in barracks with women and gay women should be in barracks with men.

It sounds silly, but I really don't know the solution as I feel gay people can make great soldiers but how do we protect the rights of those who don't wish to be viewed sexually by their peers. I'm not saying that gay people find everyone of the same sex attractive but this is a serious form of discomfort that gets blown off in the name of PC correctness.

I don't mean to answer a question with a question but we need to find a way to make everyone comfortable. Perhaps the answer is more privacy over all.

Answer 10

Sure they should be. Stand them on the frontlines first. No, seriously. If you have a problem with homosexuals, it's your problem not theirs. I hate the idea that just because someone is gay, that everybody thinks they are after them. Gay men are attracted to certain gay men, not every man, not children, not horses, not donkeys, get the picture? If you are a homophobic, sleep on your back.