So if the British Navy allows Gay's openly to serve why don't the USA?

Question

Now I might get plenty of thumbs down. But i think after reading the book from Connel, Dr. Cammermeyer, "Serving in silence." I think the "Don't Ask, don't tell policy is absurd.
If America wants to set Democracy and Equality to it's citizen, why don't they do away with this stupid regulation? I feel every person is worth of serving it's country. There are not many left, that want to serve. I feel we are doing a lot of harm by not letting them serve in this military. So , What do you think? Why are we not like the British military?

That's why in Vietnam US soldiers, raped innocent women and children. That's why they shoot innocent people during war time.
Sexual orientation has nothing to do with unit coehsion. Unit cohesion excists .
That's why heterosexuals are acting out and raping under officer female cadets in military academy's.
Shall I list you more information about this?

I guess times have changed. And I applaud you all for answering this question.
Because how can we declare America to be equal for all it' s citizen when we cast out those who are serving our military proudly , with honor, dignity and integrity.
Its profoundly time and it will come when we all live equally. Cause I think it is needed to provide equality among people. I believe that every one is entitled to live their lives in harmony. it would eliminate a lot of pain and misery.

Answer 1

I can't understand why the US armed forces don't allow gays to serve. I am a Territorial Army member and straight but I have nothing against people who are of a different orientation to me. Its a sad fact of British society, and is even worse in America I believe (although I could be wrong), that being labled 'gay' is a derogatory term. However, the US armed forces should not use this as a reason to neglect equality. Comparisons are bound to arise with the situation in relation to women. In Britain, women are not allowed to serve in combat units unless they are attached as medics or clerks etc, but there are reasons for this that has nothing to do with the ability of women which I won't go into here. Nevertheless there is a viable reason for the decision and I agree with it, although I also agree with anyone that calls it unfair.
Allowing gay people to serve has caused no problems in the UK forces. It is undeniable that their presence may cause some of the more homophobic members of their unit to be uneasy around them, but I don't believe this to in any way affect their combat performance or the way in which they bond with their colleagues.
It's a ridiculous notion that gay people will force themselves upon the men they work alongside, as is the suggestion that their presence will affect the integrety of their unit. As a member of the British Army, I can state from experience that allowing gays to serve doesn't cause a breakdown in unit cohesion, recruiting, or increase bullying. If each person pulls their weight there won't be any problems.

For a military so technologically advanced, the American Armed Forces seem to be rather deficient regarding this issue, from my perspective anyway.

Answer 2

None of the arguments for it make much sense.
Especially since theyve changed what constitutes a combat position (after the Jessica Lynch thing they said all military positions are considered potential combat at any time). How is it different to have a guy oggling his female co worker than a male one? It isnt. Quite simply, this is discimination. No other point of view. it is merely one more situation where religion wins out over common sense and human rights.

I just read the thing about fearing harassment for the homosexual troops. That is ridiculous.
If that happens, then the guilty soldiers need to be dealt with-not just for that instance. If a soldier is that close minded and bigoted s/he has no business in the service, especially in another country where s/he will face other customs and people. They should be dealt with swiftly and without sympathy-that sort of behavior is a disgrace to the uniform, the military, the country, and to them. Besides, flushing out some of those people would definately not hurt our military-it would merely make us look better in countries where we've suffered PR loses over time.

There are already many somewhat openly gay soldiers serving (open with friends, including battallion mates-where honesty and brotherhood are essential).

Answer 3

It's just a matter of time before the US military drops the 'don't ask don't tell policy'. There have been plenty of good officers and enlisted who have been discharged simply because they are gay. Bush wants keep this "war on terror" going but you have men and women in the intelligence field who are fluent in Farsi, Urdu, or Arabic and are booted once they are outed but guys who beat their wives are allowed to stay. There are lot more gay people serving than I think most people realize. Once people get over their ignorance and realize that homosexuality is not a choice or some weird perversion, it should it make it easier for gays in the military. I have served with a number of gay sailors, marines, soldiers, and airmen. They didn't stare at the other guys' asses, prance, or giggle about last night's episode of Will and Grace. They did their job well, and I was proud to serve with them. When I was clearing a building, I could have cared less if the guy behind me was behind a lot of guys in his off time. As long as he was ready to deliver a double tap to a bad guy, who cares?

Answer 4

Many say that the integration of gays into military units is the same as the integration of African Americans after World War II. Unfortunately, there's one difference: people learn to be prejudiced, but we are born sexual. Don't you think sexual tensions would be damaging to good order, discipline and unit cohesion if gays were allowed to serve openly?

According to today's military leaders, our forces are better than ever. The same racially integrated forces that were predicted to crumble from a lack of unit cohesion have flourished instead. Racial integration taught the military that our troops will sleep, eat and live with each other because that is part of the job. There is no reason why today's soldiers and sailors can't do their jobs together with gay, lesbian and bisexual service members.

Strong leadership from the top is needed. Today's highly trained troops will follow the orders and examples of their leaders, including working and living with known gay service members. The untrue rhetoric and rationales used to justify racial segregation in the 40s should not be used to exclude gay Americans from our armed forces today.

Answer 5

From what my family members tell me there are already some gay servicemen and women in the branches...

my folks say it is to protect them from abuse and from all the homophobia they told me about I am inclined to agree

I guess if they could let them be openly gay it would be okay as long as they could maybe make others sensitive to their feelings and not be able to hurt them

I wonder would they be passed over for rank promotions or not given assignments though...

I am black and let me tell you de jure and de facto are two different things...

You can make all the laws and get rid of all the laws you want but if in someone's heart they want to hurt someone or be cruel they are gonna do it

If they can be anonymous it might be better, I don't know...I am not gay

I would like them to be able to be who they are and receive benefits, but the majority don't agree

Answer 6

DADT is rediculous. in any other job, this would be seen as descrimination and outlawed in a heartbeat. the military should be no different. i am in the military and am all for allowing LGBT citizens to serve openly. i don't understand the purpose of the policy and it has never been explained to me. fyi, there are at least 40,000 LGBT americans who claim they would enlist in the military if there were no DADT policy.

and as for the first guy's response, that's obsurd. that is the last thing on anyone's mind when they are in a foxhole. i'm sure, when on duty, they would act just like any straight person would. males and females are always together and that is usually not a problem. and if it were a problem, then that is because of the individual and it has nothing to do with the fact that they are gay. there are thousands of closeted gays in the military as we speak. doubt it would be much different.

Answer 7

Because the people who are considered likely to actually join the US military do not want to serve with open homosexuals.

Recruiting and retention of trained personnel will collapse.

Answer 8

Because America IS NOT the land of the free and home of the brave.

Answer 9

Until you change the views of Americans in the bible belt they will have to rely on the don't ask don't tell policy and gaydar. To many over testosterone homophobes will beat the hell out of open gays.

Answer 10

Me I really don't care But reality think how many people would be beaten daily in the barracks.