Why is it so bad to be gay in the military?

Question

I see a whole bunch of questions asking what the penalties of being gay in the Navy are, but I have no clue why it's frowned upon to be gay. It's like racism. Gays can't help being gay, so why punish them for something they can't control?

Answer 1

This is most likely because the miltary leaders are still unsure or perhaps frightened at the prospect of gay military members. They may not trust them as upstanding members of their troops, or they may feel there's just too much room for "unmilitary conduct".

I don't think that having gay people (of either sex) in the military is bad, but for those who are very much uncloseted, it would cause some serious discomfort among their co-workers.

I personally don't mind working with gay persons, as I already have, and find them much the same as everyone else. I would trust a gay person in the military to do their job as well as anyone straight.

However, living and serving in the military is much more intense than working a nine to five, and is bound to cause discomfort.

I wouldn't be so afraid of being "molested" or "hit upon", I would just feel uncomfortable, unless the gay person was a close friend. Maybe I'm just too prudish, but I am guessing that this is how many people feel.

Answer 2

There is nothing wrong with them serving and they are allowed to.

What cannot be allowed to happen is to have morale take a nose dive because somebody is hitting on all of the guys. This will destroy the cohesiveness of the team. The military is about the "team" not the individual. Everyone else gives up their identity while in the military, why should gays be different? They are being given an equal shot.

The rules regarding "don't ask, don't tell" also help to protect the gay servicemember from harassment and beatings. Don't think it wouldn't happen, either.

Answer 3

It's a morale issue. Most straight guys in the military don't want to worry about getting gang raped in the shower or lusted after. Even though it'd probably never happen it does affect morale.

The "born gay" theory is just that...a theory it's unproven remember in the 50's homosexuality was considered a mental illness so just 50 years later do you think that the manly military will be willing to say "it's okay if you're gay."?

Nope.

Gays have served in the military with distinction which was the incentive for 'Don't Ask. Don't Tell." you can be gay in the military just don't advertise also here's one final point..

Professional armies must think as ONE in every possible way. No military must allow any individuality if it expects to survive.

The US military defends democracy but that doesn't mean it should become one.

Answer 4

There a numerous problems that arise when there is sexual atraction in the Military. Problems that are evident with Females in the military. Relationships form that are counterproductive to the mission and franternization is rampant. Command's take great pains in seperating the females from males during their military lives. Seperating barracks must be established to limit the "drama" that occurs between soldiers, and sailors that create an undu-familiarity. I have witnessed many good young Sailor's careers be in jeopardy due to such relationships.
(if your ever on a base you realize sexual relations are unbelievably common, in the most unproffessional ways)
In addition when in combat or on long deployments rape a sexual assault statistics go through the roof on any military force Russian, American or otherwise. These such atrocities are seen on the covers of newspapers around the world whenever there is confict. Lust has infilitarted facets from Westpoint, to Iraq, (both combatants and comrades) to all over the world. To throw a group of people who openly ( the military only bans openly gay people) engage in homosexual relationships will expand the problems that exist within our armed forces. And unlike mere males females one could not create a seperate place, or all gay ship.

It is not as though our country does not believe homsexuals are unable to fight for Freedom and Democracy around the world it is just good ORM.

Answer 5

Why is it so bad to be gay in normal society? I've seen a lot more homosexual hatred from normal civilians than I have from military personnel.

But, quite honestly, i think it'll be just a matter of time before openly homosexuals are permitted. The military, despite what some idiots think, is rather cutting edge when it comes to social issues. Who do you think ended segregation first, the military, or public schools? Ya, that's what i thought.

It just isn't allowed openly. Just like you can't have a mohawk. I know that sounds like an absolutely ridiculous thing to compare it to, but it's actually pretty accurate. Right now open homosexuality among the military is as much a distraction and insult to conformity as having a mohawk and nipple piercings. And despite who's feelings get hurt, what thoughts of "no freedom" may be construed from that, conformity, togetherness, fortitude in all the military does is what keeps the units strong.

Answer 6

Because Jesus said so!

Thats the end of the argument because there is no logic to it.

Both the UK and Israel allow open homosexuals in their militaries. Oddly enough the countries that dont are Iran and the like, the ones that we've labeled as radical, and extremist--the ones that we're ready to go to war with, or the splinter groups that we're already at war with. It seems that as long you rule illogically by a different book it totally changes everything.

There has been encouragement to come out to your platoon if youre gay-theyve found great acceptance within the small groups. The people doing the fighting would usually rather not have you trying to hide a major portion of your life, your energy would be better spent elsewhere. Just like the gov't's. Theyre spending millions of dollars digging through people's personal lives so they can be kicked out the military. Gays more often than not turn out to be specialist that are expensive to train and much harder to replace. Millions of dollars wasted to kick men out, so that straight men can be trained to replace them. Where is the logic?

Support the military! Get the best men in the field, and not worrying about whether or not their about to lose their job over their PERSONAL life! Allow gays in the military. If they want to fight, let them!


To the people saying how horrible it will be, how they'll be too busy checking out other guys and such---theyre already there!
What happened to that Marine who just came out? The one who'd been injured in the Middle East, one of the first guys injured, I cant remember his name.

Secondly, how can you possibly make that argument when the military allows women in the military?
Especially since after the Jessica Lynch incident all deployed positions were reclassifed as potential combat--yet gays still cant do the same job as a woman!



Hannibal and others---youre outdated. You still think youre living under Clinton. "Dont Ask Dont Tell" used to work that way. Now they use it to justify searching the internet and spending millions to look into every facet of your life for a reason to kick you out. There are bases that have had troop shortages because of the number of soldiers forced to leave the military. It is no longer "Dont Ask Dont Tell", its "Dont Tell, cause we'd rather find out ourselves"

Answer 7

They can be gay all they want, and do whatever they want IN THEIR OWN PRIVACY. The problem is that in the military, for example, men shower together, and a gay person LOVES that. That's invasion of privacy. It would be OK if you're going to be 100% sure that they won't lust after other guys, but you know that after being lonely for too long they'll eventually start looking the wrong way or even touching. That's the problem.

And the belief that being gay is natural and they can't control it is very debatable and not proven, so let's not assume.

Answer 8

some really interesting answers....

especially those that mention straight guys are afraid of being raped by gay guys ...
THEN by that standard of thinking men and women shouldn't share mixed battalions .. because somebody might get raped .. Stupid backwards thinking ... IF ANYBODY can't control what's in their pants ( gay or straight) how the hell do you expect them to control a gun.

straight guys rape too you know ( to those using rape as a reason) and you have men and women fighting together.

I tend to feel that those who condemn gay people the most have questionable sexuality themselves... I'm straight.. I have no doubts so I don't consider a gay person a threat .AND if one should hit on me .. well they'd get the same response as a straight person I am not interested in "THANKS BUT NO THANKS"
I am sure gay people can fight JUST as well as the next person and if they are prepared to risk sacrifing their lives .. Their sexuality SHOULD NOT COME INTO IT!

JUST ADDING AN EDIT TO the poster called * it is me *
ok so we hetro's don't have parade's where we celebrate our sexuality .. have you looked though at the magazines that are permitted to be sold in Newsagents... there's a hell of a lot of other ways WE promote our sexuality... IF YOU DON'T like the gay parades .. STOP ATTENDING

AND to all those that say Jesus says or the Bible says... well as far as I can tell a man's(or woman's) sins are between him/her and God...and as far as my bible studies went .. I was taught that God loves the Sinner hates the sin...
PLUS Jesus was the friend to those society judged and scorned...
so in my opinion THOSE of you who use HIS name to promote your prejudices and hatred .. really are so very very wrong ...... ( but that's just my opinion .. HE can JUDGE YOU)

Answer 9

The military has a don't tell, don't ask policy. As long as the gays do not act gay, except after hours when they can go to a hotel or motel for their activities. As long as they do not bother the straights, it's fine. Gays do not choose to be gay, and should have the same rights as the straights.

Answer 10

There's some segregation of the sexes in the military, and the chain of command creates a hierarchy that could be easily abused. You can segregate men from women to 'reduce tensions.' (Really, you'd think that'd increase tension). You can't do that with gays.

Of couse, it's worked out in the past - from the ancient greeks to the modern Brit military.