Homosexuals to openly serve in US military?

[Sakebomb]

July 23rd, Congress addresses the policy of "Don't ask, Don't tell" for the first time in 15 years.
Congress Revisits Military's Policy On Gays : NPR

Democrats say they intend to attempt to repeal the policy after a new president is elected.

The most significant argument against this is that it will violate the privacy of straight soldiers. However the U.S. is one of the few remaining countries that do not bar openly homosexual people from serving in the military.
Sexual orientation and military service - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

I know there are a lot of soldiers from all over the world that post on this board, Id like to hear about how forced cohabitation between gays and straights affects military life

[Blackleaf]

You Americans are behind the times.

The Royal Navy has had homosexuals serving in it for centuries.

Winston Churchill knew this. The great man once uttered the immortal phrase: 'Naval tradition? Monstrous! Nothing but rum, sodomy and the lash!’

In the 18th Century, the British even believed that Royal Navy sailors participating in such obnoxious activities as relieving oneself in the hold or on deck or refusing to wash one’s clothes or body was a sign they were gay. Then they were usually hanged, which seems slightly brutal today.

Even the greatest sailor of them all - Nelson - famously said: "Kiss me, Hardy" on his deathbed after he walloped the French for six at Trafalgar.

[Shiny Capstar]

You Americans are behind the times.

The Royal Navy has had homosexuals serving in it for centuries.

Winston Churchill knew this. The great man once uttered the immortal phrase: 'Naval tradition? Monstrous! Nothing but rum, sodomy and the lash!’

In the 18th Century, the British even believed that Royal Navy sailors participating in such obnoxious activities as relieving oneself in the hold or on deck or refusing to wash one’s clothes or body was a sign they were gay. Then they were usually hanged, which seems slightly brutal today.

Even the greatest sailor of them all - Nelson - famously said: "Kiss me, Hardy" on his deathbed after he walloped the French for six at Trafalgar.

Not just the RN, all the services have them, apparently they are encouraged to join.

[Blackleaf]

Homosexuals have been allowed to serve in the British Armed Forces since the year 2000, I think.

[Walking Dead]

Difficult to say - I can only speak from experience. Based on that, I think openly gay (with openly being the key) would probably not last very long in a USMC grunt () unit. Possibly in other units (Intel or Comm) where Marines are (possibly) more progressive (just a presumption).

Not in the grunts. I have never heard of any openly gay men in the grunts.

[Akaloc]

I would only support it if we could cohabitate with the females also, but I don't think that is good idea either so I guess I kinda know where I stand.

[Sakebomb]

Homosexuals have been allowed to serve in the British Armed Forces since the year 2000, I think.

What was the policy though?

Was it "Here, bunk with a gay dude, deal with it"
Or did they have seperate barracks for different sexual orientations?

Either way, it seems tensions would arise

[Shek]

A recent survey found that 75% of OIF/OEF veterans would support the repeal of "don't ask, don't tell."

I don't think it would be a huge issue since cultural norms on the issue has shifted. I know several folks who know of servicemembers where it was an open secret that they were gay, and there was no impact on unit performance. Any discipline issues could be appropriately handled under current sexual harassment legislation.

[pate]

I see this rumor is rearing its head again... (my puns are awful...) I suppose "brother in arms" will have a whole different meaning...

As to the "British Navy's been doing this for years thing," can someone tell my why the US Navy has nametags on their butts?(Sorry, all you salts out there, couldn't resist...)

[Shipwreck]

A recent survey found that 75% of OIF/OEF veterans would support the repeal of "don't ask, don't tell."

I don't think it would be a huge issue since cultural norms on the issue has shifted. I know several folks who know of servicemembers where it was an open secret that they were gay, and there was no impact on unit performance. Any discipline issues could be appropriately handled under current sexual harassment legislation.

Well said. :)

[Walking Dead]

Not arguing here. Just think it may not work out very well in some units.

[T_igger_cs_30]

Difficult to say - I can only speak from experience. Based on that, I think openly gay (with openly being the key) would probably not last very long in a USMC grunt () unit. Possibly in other units (Intel or Comm) where Marines are (possibly) more progressive (just a presumption).

Not in the grunts. I have never heard of any openly gay men in the grunts.

So where did all those gay porn movies starring marines flying around in the spam ads come from?

Well if its now out in the open maybe just maybe guys wil go to the med center and collect the free condoms and use them for what they were designed for ............. keeping the water out of your barrel..........hang on that doesnt sound right ........... I mean of course your rifle barrel

[Blackleaf]

What was the policy though?

Was it "Here, bunk with a gay dude, deal with it"
Or did they have seperate barracks for different sexual orientations?

Either way, it seems tensions would arise

There aren't different barracks, or whatever, for different sexual orientations. That would just be discrimination.

On a Royal Navy ship, quarters are designated for each specific trade. All Operator Mechanics (males) share the same room and all Operator Mechanics (females) share the same room and all Marine Engineering Mechanics (male) share the same room and all Marine Engineering Mechanics (female) share the same room.

A gay OM or MEM shares the same room as the other OMs and MEMs.

There's little chance that he will rape you in your bunk at night. Because that's an offence that can put him back on Civvy Street.

[dave lukins]

There's little chance that he will rape you in your bunk at night. Because that's an offence that can put him back on Civvy Street.

After a long spell in hospital and having meals fed through a drip:))

[Walking Dead]

There aren't different barracks, or whatever, for different sexual orientations. That would just be discrimination.

On a Royal Navy ship, quarters are designated for each specific trade. All Operator Mechanics (males) share the same room and all Operator Mechanics (females) share the same room and all Marine Engineering Mechanics (male) share the same room and all Marine Engineering Mechanics (female) share the same room.

A gay OM or MEM shares the same room as the other OMs and MEMs.

There's little chance that he will rape you in your bunk at night. Because that's an offence that can put him back on Civvy Street.

Units I've been in, it would not have even taken that...

After a long spell in hospital and having meals fed through a drip:))

...to get there.