**makTHRAX**

This is random, but today I was questioned on what I think on this issue, and I discovered I don't really think anything or have much of an opinion. I was just wondering what the community thinks on this, I want to say it is ok, but I have no information on this? Any website references or personal opinions?

thx,
makTHRAX

Shadowy Man

I think the policy of "no gays in the military" should be permanently dissolved.

Especially in light of the recent events where six Arab linguists-in-training were kicked out of the army for being gay.

I guess the army doesn't really want to fight the war on terror. If they did, they wouldn't get rid of the few people who are most qualified to do so.


P.S. I wonder if they serve shellfish at military bases.

Talulah

Why would anyone have a problem with it, or more specifically, can you think of any reason why gays should be prohibited from being in the military to begin with.

It is discrimination, pure and simple. It should be illegal to prohibit anyone from a job because of who they decide to sleep with in the privacy of their own bedroom.

Gurdur

Sparta ?
Those Spartans were pretty mean, and used to ambush unsuspecting peasants just for fun and practice.

Malsi

There is no good reason gays should not be allowed in the military (IMO). The linguist deal was ridiculous.....

I have never heard, read, or thought of any decent argument that homosexuality/homosexual behavior is unethical (the closest is the argument that if the population were dwindling its members may have a social contract to have children to ensure its survival - this would also make not having children (for any reason) unethical and homosexual behavior would still be ethical if the person engaged in pro-creative sex with members of the opposite sex).

I guess Al-Quaeda and the US Army can agree on one thing .....

Monkeybot

I think it's pretty silly. Gays should absolutely be given the same opportunity to serve as straights. Anything else is discrimination.

Loren Pechtel

I can think of one, but I don't think it's a good one:

Military life often means little privacy. You'll be seen naked by others you work with, although normally the military does keep men and women separate. (Should we find ourselves in a real war, not merely a turkey shoot like Desert Storm, I think that will go out the window in the field--it's an added logistics burden.)
Add gays or lesbians to the mix and now you're going to be seen naked by those who might regard you as sexually desirable. That's offensive to the homophobic prudes in Washington.


On the other hand, anyone who has a big problem with being seen naked by someone who might desire them I think isn't suited to being in the military in the first place. How can that be even a drop in the bucket as compared to combat?

Rusting Car Bumper

My readings lead me to believe the hardcore stance against homosexuality is a fairly recent phenomenon. If anyone is knowledgeable about that, I'd appreciate some informed commentary.


Anyway, if that's the case, it's all the more reason to get rid of the silly rule.

DC

John Hancock

Some of the meanest fucks I met in prison were queer.

trunks2k

In the words of John Stewart (paraphrased):

"I think they're just afraid of 10,000 gays having guns. *imitates a person holding a gun* 'Who you calling a fag?'"