regarding gays in the military? Is is fair? Should people have the right to be open about their sexual preference in the military, or is this the best system?
2007-02-16 09:21:13 · 19 answers · asked by M L 4 in Society & Culture ➔ Cultures & Groups ➔ Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, and Transgender
It sounds fair, but it only applies to gays. Straight GI's are still free to put up pin-ups of their favorite centerfold and brag about all the women they've laid and to openly drool over every skirt that passes by. If that isn't "telling" I don't know what is. And of course anyone who doesn't pretend to share the same urges is considered gay by default. My thoughts are that the concept sucks, and it's odd that no other army in the world has a problem with gays in the service, just ours.
2007-02-16 09:28:02 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 2⤊ 0⤋
I do not think that gays in the military is a good idea. I am a veteran and first and foremost during your training it is necessary to abstain from romantic relationships. This helps your mind to be focused on becoming a soldier. This is the reason that barracks are all male or all female. If male and female relationships are discouraged during this time and seperate accomadations have been made to discourage this, then it would influence combat readiness to do otherwise. The military is not designed to accomodate but to defend an entire nation. If anything or anyone could have a negative impact on that then they do not need to be in the military period. The military has certain rules including adultery and even sun burn. One could argue that if they want to commit adultery then it is thier right. But there are reasons that this law is in effect. It causes distractions among the soldiers. While in, I could not wear perfume, have sex in the barracks, drink a certain amount, I had curfews, everything is structured. Barracks are open and there is open bay showers. One might say that not every gay person wants straight people, but if you think about it, if there is even one that may desire a straight person, you have to think about that straight person's rights also, not just the gay one. Maybe they do not want to sleep in the same room or shower with someone that may look at them in that way. I did not want to shower or sleep in the same room as a man, and whether people like it or not, it provides uneasy feelings. How is that a positive thing for a group of people that are trying to defend everyone gay, straight, black, white, purple or green. Being politically correct does not defend a nation. The military has rules and regs for a reason. Combat readiness is the number one issue, not how anyone feels.
Vanessa, I was in Iraq, I know what things like that can do for combat readiness, it is a distraction period, when you are providing for the nations defense, you need no distractions. You would have to live it to understand.
2007-02-16 09:53:25 · answer #2 · answered by 2fine4u 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Don't care! As long as homosexuals do not overstep and began to actively sexually harass straight people I can't see a problem. It's the people with homophobia that cannot and will not accept that form of display that will be at issue. There would have to be concessions like individual showers and restrooms, straight members would have the right to room with straight members only and so on. Right now, unless it's obvious, you don't know if your barracks mate is gay or not. I was in the Army and Navy and back then there was no conflict. Most gay member REALLY stood out either feminine or masculine and you had no choice who you roomed with. The homosexual rights crap was non-existent and there was no need for any kind of special ruling. It was much simpler then. There are enough complications and demands of being in the military and this is unnecessary. A soldier was a soldier and that was ALL that mattered!
2007-02-16 09:44:50 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
I think it is the best system..... I do believe people should be able to be open about who they are... however I can see where this would cause problems in the military... so many military (men especially) I know dont particularly like gay's...... not in a "I'll kick their azz" way but in a "I rather not socialize" type way....
So I can clearly see why the military would perfer you to keep it to yourself.... you arnt suppose to be having sex in the military.... (only off base with non-military people) so why would you need to discuss it.....
I see the point and while I might not agree with why they have that rule I think it helps keep alot of gays safe in the military.....
2007-02-16 09:26:52 · answer #4 · answered by ♫♪♫ PINKY ♫♪♫ 5 · 1⤊ 1⤋
If it enables the military to take the next step to
not caring about sexual pursuasion, then I guess
it was worth it.
Otherwise, it was the biggest pile of bull excrement
that came down from the Clinton era other than
the impeachment proceedings.
Why oh why oh why do we encourage having
women in the military but not homosexuals?
The concept that our men on the front might
be distracted if those surrounding them were
attracted to them is ludicrous under those
circumstances.
The idea that people might be leaping on
each other and having sex clearly isn't
the issue either since there is already
heterosexual sex going on.
So that means its either homophobia or
some variant of "its immoral".
Neither of which is appropriate for
a military desperate for new recruits
and trying to claim it is a modern
equal opportunity organization.
2007-02-16 09:26:12 · answer #5 · answered by Elana 7 · 3⤊ 0⤋
It's the best. Why is sexual orientation important. It's the military for Gods sake. People go there to learn how to kill to defend this country. If they are good soldiers that's all that matters. There is no need to be open minded about sexuality in the military. That's not what they are there to be doing.
2007-02-16 09:27:17 · answer #6 · answered by WALACPL 2 · 0⤊ 2⤋
It is probably the best system the military can come up with. Kinda like Catholics pretending that the flock doesn't use contraception.
Fair is not really the object here. Maintaining order and esprit d corp is.
And really what business is it any way of the employer to know the orientation of the employee; it really doesn't matter.
2007-02-16 09:29:15 · answer #7 · answered by zaphodsclone 7 · 0⤊ 1⤋
Well, I'm not gay so I don't know but how horrible it must be not to be able to talk about your partner openly like straight people do. If straight people in the military can talk about their lovers why shouldn't gays be allowed. It's just not fair
2007-02-16 10:42:31 · answer #8 · answered by gitsliveon24 5 · 2⤊ 0⤋
No it's not the best system. Ideally, a person would not feel the need to keep it a secret, and the military wouldn't care. But, right now it's probably the best system we have.
2007-02-16 09:26:50 · answer #9 · answered by marcosarroyos2003 2 · 0⤊ 1⤋
i know a girl who was in iraq and pretty much everybody there knew she was a lesbian and they completely accepted her. i mean the truth is bound to come out at some point when they ask you who's that person who's picture you're always carrying with you or they ask you if you have a boyfriend. i'd imagine it would be kind of hard to hide it in the long run and people in the army should have better things to worry about then one's sexuality.
To 2fine4u... if somebody's willing to die for their country people should respect them wheather they're gay or straight.
2007-02-16 09:55:09 · answer #10 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋