Gays in the Military

[Mr Spinkles]

On the one hand, we shouldn't discriminate against people solely because of their sexual orientation. On the other hand, perhaps mixing homosexual men together, just like mixing heterosexual men and women together, will interfere with the bloody business of being in the military.

Your thoughts?

 

[Pah]

On the one hand, we shouldn't discriminate against people solely because of their sexual orientation. On the other hand, perhaps mixing homosexual men together, just like mixing heterosexual men and women together, will interfere with the bloody business of being in the military.

Your thoughts?

And perhaps blacks should not fight alongside whites. The stupidity is that homosexuals have always served beside the heterosexual and women have proven wrong the chauvinistic military mindset.

 

[Jaymes]

I have a gay friend in the military. As it is, he can talk to nobody in the military about his orientation, not even a psychiatrist. That coupled with depression is Not Good.

I swear, homophobes need to realize gays have standards. I'm not going to try and rape every beautiful woman I see.

 

[Scuba Pete]

You know... I just don't get the homophobe deal at all. People are people. They have chosen their path so let them be. If they want to enlist, then so be it. I am sure they aren't doing it for the shower scenes.

 

[fromthe heart]

You know... I just don't get the homophobe deal at all. People are people. They have chosen their path so let them be. If they want to enlist, then so be it. I am sure they aren't doing it for the shower scenes.

I think that any individual that conducts themselves properly or improperly is what makes up the individual. I don't feel gays are right with God but perhaps they aren't trying to be...I won't judge them or anyone else even opposing their lifestyle. I'm thankful I don't have to be judged for anyone but myself...given that fact those who want that lifestyle should be left alone...I don't understand homophobes, perhaps I am one and don't realize it. Perhaps it's wrong for me to feel differently about associating with gays...but isn't that my own choice? I just don't disassociate myself from only gays but also those that make it a habbit of getting drunk,doing drugs,watching porn,etc. I chose for myself to stay away from those that in whos company could influence the minds of my impressionable grandsons. I don't make nasty comments or say anything bad of these that I stay away from...It's not my place to judge or say what ANYONE does in their life. Given what I just said I feel since I give them their space to live as they choose I'd like the same in return. Don't judge me for my life because I certianly won't judge your's. All of us are on this journey in life together...should one of those people I disassociate myself from EVER need me to help them in something I would help them, I would never turn my back on any human whether I agree with their lifestyle or not.

 

[jewscout]

You know what if a homosexual wants to serve in the military and has the capabilities to do so...i say let them!

 

[huajiro]

I have a better idea.....why don't we all just love each other, then we won't need a military?

I wasn't trying to get off subject, sorry

When will people learn though?

You have people willing to give their lives for your country and you have a problem with it, because they don't fit your idea of what is right and wrong?????

Throughout history it was mostly criminals who found themselves going off to war....now we have college educated men and women willing to do it, and we don't allow them to because of sexual orientation.

I don't think gays should be in the military, because I think they shouldn't risk their valuable lives, no one should.

 

[jewscout]

I have a better idea.....why don't we all just love each other, then we won't need a military?

huajiro....pass the dutchy to the left man...it must be good stuff


.....if were only it were probable....

 

[robtex]

From a non miltary person it is hard to get a grasp of what the issues are exactly. I am understanding that most jobs are non combatant jobs right?

Is there any specific list of why the miltary has pushed for a non gay miltary? A list of reasons that are quantifable or such? I am getting that homophob vibe in general cause I haven't seen on the news any list of quantifable reasons and I was wondering if anyone on here had.

 

[Fluffy]

Well the Spartans of Classical times would sorely disagree with you Mr Spinkles. They had a specific fighting unit where entry was only allowed to gay men. The idea was that you would fight much harder and longer if you were side by side with your lover and considering the fighting reputation of the Spartans it probably worked as well.

 

[anders]

The subject was never brought up when I did my compulsory service. (I got away with just 11 months.) The closest thing was one of the guys in my platoon, a married man, and rather a womanizer (although AFAIK perfectly faithful during our time there). He was quite fond of addressing us others as "love" and the like when guys (it was male-only at that time) from other platoons were around, just to look at their reactions. Well, sometimes somebody would appear shocked, but my general feeling was that nobody cared about other people's sexual preferences.

A few years ago, Sweden's perhaps best-selling author published a novel in which the primary hero, trained in the US, head of a special military unit, explicitely and almost heavy-handedly defended a homosexual member of the unit who became rather the secondary hero of the book. The book sold no less and no more that others in the suite, and there was no public discussion on the plot. Everybody just seemed to agree that a person who did his duty was as good as any other in the service.

 

[Mr Spinkles]

Well the Spartans of Classical times would sorely disagree with you Mr Spinkles.

I didn't know that about the Spartans--thanks for the interesting information. For the record, I have no problem with gays in the military.

 

[Ceridwen018]

Do you think that gays should be kept separate from straights, as women are kept separate from men?

 

[Jaymes]

That is a point of much confusion to me, Ceridwen. I understand how it can make people uncomfortable (I wouldn't want to shower with someone attracted my gender [unless it was Liz.. ahem, moving on]), but I don't know how that can be solved without stepping on toes.

I don't think that bunking would be a problem... seperate shower times, maybe? But then what about the people who weren't out of the closet?

Gah, this is a complicated mess.

 

[TranceAm]

I wouldn't want to shower with someone attracted my gender

Why not? You wash my back, I wash yours.
After all its your mind or your indoctrination that makes it dirty or potential dirty thus something to "fear". :woohoo:

And if the conversation/action goes towards something you don't want ->
Oh, you want sex? Or a relationship?
"Sorry not interested" is an answer that should convince anyone that the other party isn't interested...
(How adult can one be, in answering someone's <And it doesn't matter what sex that person is> advances towards you.)

It works the same as heterosexual relationships.
Not all boys like all girls, and not all girls like all boys. And sexual harrasment and rape are crimes anyway.

There could arise in the militairy a loyalty problem.. Orders vs Love.
Ok, I pass that Dutchie. :162:

 

[Green Gaia]

I just don't disassociate myself from only gays but also those that make it a habbit of ................

I know this is off topic, but I'm confused, what do you mean you say you disassociate yourself from gays? Does that mean you don't talk to them at all? Does that include on the internet? I ask only because we do have a several gay and lesbian members of the forum, I being one. I'm just curious....

As for gays in the military, they've been there all along, why force them out now? I guess the issue is how open should they be about their sexual orientation. I suppose that would vary from individual to individual and how out they are to begin with. Heterosexual men (and women) certainly do not have to hide their orientations, I don't think homosexual people should have to either for their job. And I do not agree with punishing someone and discharging them just for being gay.

 

[Bastet]

Gays have been fighting alongside heterosexuals for as long as there have been wars, even if the people around them didn't know it at the time. To suggest that they can't do the job as well as a heterosexual, or that they would interfere with the job others are doing, is crap. I think that people don't so much have a problem with gays serving in the military - I think they have a problem with knowing that gays are serving in the military. If they stay in the closet, nobody is the wiser...people could go around saying "Frank's a top bloke", and not think that it'll come off sounding like they've got the hots for a man. It's astounding how quickly that becomes "Frank's a wimpy ******" once someone is out. It's petty homophobic bull****, nothing more, nothing less.

 

[Jaymes]

Why not? You wash my back, I wash yours.
After all its your mind or your indoctrination that makes it dirty or potential dirty thus something to "fear". :woohoo:

In a way, I can see this argument. As far as I know, they're not thinking anything dirty. But with that logic, why not let men shower with women?

I'm giving myself a headache... :bonk:

 

[Quoth The Raven]

You know, oddly enough, I sincerely doubt the man pinned down in the trenches being fired at by hostiles is going to cast a glane to the chap next to him and think,'My God man, you're gorgeous!' thus having all thoughts of the life threatening situation driven from his mind and resulting in his - and Mr. Lovely next to him - demise, because he was too busy perving to watch out for grenades.
Really, with all the people too busy wandering about their places of employment gazing adoringly at their co-workers, it's a wonder the entire world hasn't fallen into wrack and ruin.
By the way, Jensa, I get what you're saying about not wanting to shower with someone who is attracted to your sex, but just because they're attracted to your sex, doesn't mean they're attracted to you. As far as they're concerned, you may be as sexually attractive to them as a hat full of monkeys bums.

 

[TranceAm]

In a way, I can see this argument. As far as I know, they're not thinking anything dirty. But with that logic, why not let men shower with women?

I'm giving myself a headache... :bonk:

To keep personal emotions disconnected from the army?

Me to. :bonk: