Did you know the UK has allowed Gays to openly serve in the military since 2000?

Question

Here are some quotes from a related article...

"Since lifting the ban on gays, none of the military's fears concerning blackmail, bullying, harassment, collapse of unit cohesion or operation failure has descended."

"In the UK, the military actively recruits gays and punishes any incidents of intolerance or bullying. "

While in the US...

"Since "don't ask, don't tell" was implemented, 58 Arabic linguists and a shocking 11,000 other service members have been ousted. Many held critical jobs in intelligence, medicine and counterterrorism."

"Gen. John Shalikashvili, who held the same post under President Clinton, when Congress enacted "don't ask, don't tell," said in an op-ed article in the New York Times that he now believed the military was ready to accept gays."

http://news.yahoo.com/s/po/20070629/co_po/ukarmedforcesapologizeforantigaybias

Rebuttal to ignatious93 - I served in the US Marines for 20 years from 1980 - 2000. Your insinuation that gays would only look out for their own interests is without merit. There are many gays that have served honorably, although in the closet.

Answer 1

The gays who were brutally abused by the British military are now suing the British government for damages:

Lives were wrecked, people were imprisoned and interrogated in humiliating ways, they were denounced and shamed before their peers, and they lost houses, income, property and jobs because of what the British military did to gays during the 'witch-hunts'.

From 1995 until 1997 a group of these gays who were rejected and tormented by the British military, fought their own government in the High Court of the European Union.

When the gays won their case, the British changed their military overnight.

The American people are going to be paying ENORMOUS settlements and compensation for the punishment they are inflicting on our gay soldiers under 'Don't Ask, Don't Tell,' someone down the road, mark my words . . .

Answer 2

There are approximately 24 countries which allow gays to serve "openly", including Israel, UK, The Netherlands and Thailand.

In early Jan. 2007 U.S. retired army general and chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff from 1993 to 1997, John Shalikashvili, stated that the anti-gay "Don't Ask, Don't Tell" policy is unnecessary and should be phased out.

Shalikashvili's stand is especially significant because he was among the most influential opponents of President Clinton's plan to lift the ban on gays in the military.

He based his conclusion on the following facts:

1) the experience of more than two dozen other countries (including the most effective militaries, Britain and Israel) that allow gays to serve openly,

(2) recent polls showing that American military personnel serving in Iraq overwhelming say they would have no problem serving with gays,

(3) the serious need of the armed forces for more personnel, and

(4) his own interviews with gay Americans who have served openly, honorably, and bravely, often in combat, in Iraq.

Answer 3

In Australia gay and lesbian people have been able to serve openly since 1992. Last year the government finally granted recognition for same-sex partnerships of service personnel, so now "de facto" relationships can be registered regardless of the gender of the partner and all benefits are the same as those of a married couple. I don't know what's wrong with the US; they think they are world leaders but have such backward attitudes.

Answer 4

I've always thought that it was wrong to stop gays fighting for thier country.
As for the trolls - gays haven't used " blackmail, bullying and harassment tactics to achieve their own personal objectives" neither do gays look after thier own interests as the country they may die for is made of many many people. If you want to talk about brave then why compliment the Air Force for discriminating and bieng morons and kicking out so many people who actually help the air force to work??

Answer 5

I remember reading about it and saying bravo for them! It took them long enough to come around, but at least they finally did.

Funny, though, that right about now, being a gay soldier is not being pushed as hard as grounds for a dishonorable discharge as it was before the war began. Hmmm...what is it about wartime that makes the powers-that-be suddenly so open to diversity, I wonder?...

Answer 6

I actually did know that - my husband retired after 30 years active duty and is no emplyed by the federal government as a civilian and we are still very active at Scott AFB in IL.

Answer 7

the American military has always looked at gays as a security risk, because someone could "out" them under pressure. the USA has always been puritanical in many of the polices that it has. live and let live.

Answer 8

Interesting. I didn't know that, but I think it says alot about their openness, and looks bad on the US. I do not see how one's sexual orientation ahs any bearing on their ability to serve their country. It's almost like, from US standards, their saying "you can fight and risk your life for us, but when (or if) you get home, you'll still be a fag***."

Answer 9

Ah, good for the UK.

If I were gay I probably wouldn't want to serve this country, though. Look at all the stuff that's going on...

Answer 10

that's great. I don't see why gays serving in the military would be bad in the first place.