That the dems want to do away with the dont ask dont tell policy in the military...

How do you feel about that?

i don't care if there are gays in the military or not. it doesn't affect me or my husband but i just think that perhaps the don't ask don't tell policy isn't a good one because they shouldn't have to hide who they are

I feel like no matter where you work your sex life and sexual orientation in general should not be talked about. Straight or gay, it should not be discussed at work. Therefore, as far as the workplace goes, everyone is nonsexual. Then it doesn't matter if you're gay or not.

I feel like no matter where you work your sex life and sexual orientation in general should not be talked about. Straight or gay, it should not be discussed at work. Therefore, as far as the workplace goes, everyone is nonsexual. Then it doesn't matter if you're gay or not.

Exactly what I was thinking.

I dont think they should have it in place...Being Gay isnt a disease...

I feel like no matter where you work your sex life and sexual orientation in general should not be talked about. Straight or gay, it should not be discussed at work. Therefore, as far as the workplace goes, everyone is nonsexual. Then it doesn't matter if you're gay or not.

yes but at the same time if you are the sole guy who isn't dating/sleeping around/married the speculation is there kwim?

While I agree that sex itself (the actual acts of) shouldn't be openly talked about in the workplace, I will never agree that someone has to hide who they are. Some things are obvious. I don't think talking about a partner or significant other, falls under discussing sex at work.

Right now under the current DADT policy they not only have to not talk about it........but they have to hope they don't get found out or caught. That is no way to live at work and it's totally and completely unfair. I hope the entire policy dies and everyone can be free to be who they are openly and without living in constant fear of loosing their career.

While I agree that sex itself (the actual acts of) shouldn't be openly talked about in the workplace, I will never agree that someone has to hide who they are. Some things are obvious. I don't think talking about a partner or significant other, falls under discussing sex at work.

Right now under the current DADT policy they not only have to not talk about it........but they have to hope they don't get found out or caught. That is no way to live at work and it's totally and completely unfair. I hope the entire policy dies and everyone can be free to be who they are openly and without living in constant fear of loosing their career.

agree :yes thanks for saying what i was trying to lol

I think doing away with the don't ask-don't tell policy is a bad idea.

There are so many good men and women out there who are being kept away from the military just because they are gay...Its a shame.

I think doing away with the don't ask-don't tell policy is a bad idea.

Why?

I think doing away with the don't ask-don't tell policy is a bad idea.

why may i ask. i'm just curious lol

I don't really know enough about why it's there to say whether they should or shouldn't do away with it yet. I wonder how it would make us look to the rest of the world though? Is that a factor?

Its probably because some men who think they are manly men dont want to be around people who are gay, but thats bull crap...There comes a time when people need to grow up...Plus, as of right now they never know who is gay and who isnt...

As much as sex shouldn't be a part of the workplace, these men and women eat, sleep, shower AND work together. Its not a typical 9-5 where people can go home to their own personal lives, so no matter what, I think its a bigger issue in the military than anywhere else. My db tells me some stories that shock the *%$# out of me.

I guess I haven't expressed an opinion but I think theres a lot more to it than in a civilian job.

I think this sounds like I'm pro-DADT... I'm not.

no there is more to it if people let it be an issue...Most men are homophobics...

I wonder if it might be better for the gay guys if they kept it under wraps. They could get hurt or killed depending on who decided to be a bigot, you know? I don't want to hear about a soldier getting shot on purpose in friendly fire over in Iraq just because he was gay.

As much as sex shouldn't be a part of the workplace, these men and women eat, sleep, shower AND work together. Its not a typical 9-5 where people can go home to their own personal lives, so no matter what, I think its a bigger issue in the military than anywhere else. My db tells me some stories that shock the *%$# out of me.

I guess I haven't expressed an opinion but I think theres a lot more to it than in a civilian job.

that is true though too, that these men and women do what normal people consider private/intimate acts. they sleep, shower, change and all that together

why may i ask. i'm just curious lol

Because the military isn't ready for it.

On a personal and ethical level, I think it would be great if we could all love one another, join hands and sing kumbaya...but realistically, the military isn't ready for openly gay or lesbian members.

Because the military isn't ready for it.

On a personal and ethical level, I think it would be great if we could all love one another, join hands and sing kumbaya...but realistically, the military isn't ready for openly gay or lesbian members.

i agree with that too. i don't know i can see both sides of this one

But i guess im confused because what do they have to prepare for?

I guess I see it this way, you have people not wanting to join the military because of the war, but you are keeping people from joining...

I wonder if most people think they are just going to get openly hit on...

I don't think sexual orientation matters at all. I have known gay people (both male & female) while serving in the Navy they did their job just the same as everyone else & even living on board the ship I never once felt uncomfortable.

It's not fair that they should have to hide who they are. It's also not fair the gay bashing that has gone on in the Navy either. We had a guy on the Blue Ridge (when I was stationed in Japan)get hit in the face with a dogging wrench just because he was gay. He had not tried to hit on anyone he just was "found out" and then attacked. Also in Japan there was a young man that was murdered (they made a life time movie about it) his killers walked and the court martial where held in secret. Despite the fact that they had told the mother (of the deceased) they would let her know what was happening every step of the way.

I don't think it's people being afraid to be HIT on per say, but how would you as a woman feel if you in your daily job had to shower and change in front of a bunch of hetero MEN? They wouldn't even HAVE to be checking you out, but it would still make you feel uneasy.

I can see both sides of this debate already, and I would fear more for the safety of the openly homosexual people than anything if it was done away with. People can do despicable things in the name of hate.

Why is it that the gay people are checking people out...You dont think that straight people look at other people? I think that comment is stereotypical...

Why is it that the gay people are checking people out...You dont think that straight people look at other people? I think that comment is stereotypical...

It is I shared a cubical on my first ship with a lesbian. Not ONCE did ANY of us girls in her cubical feel she was checking us out, not once did she hit on any of the girls in our whole berthing. Gay people are not sex fiends out to convert everyone. They don't like rejection anymore then we do.

My husband is homophobic he says he doesn't want them to involve him in their lifestyle. He feels that if someone is gay they must be checking him out/fantasizing about him. It makes me sick that he just assumes that if a man is gay he might try to rape him when they are underway. I have tried SO many times to explain to him that just because you may be gay it does not mean you are a rapist. It makes me want to smack him because it is pure ignorance.

It has worked for other countries just fine! We need to get with the times:D

http://www.logcabin.org/logcabin/gays_in_the_military_overview.html

Read number two, I watched a show a long while back that said we are one of the last countries to not allow people to serve freely........yet we are so proud of our rights and freedoms here. It just doesn't make sense!!

In response to the whole "were not ready" theory........how will we know, until we actually try:no

I think it should be done away with, being gay is not a crime, and it's not a disease.

As much as sex shouldn't be a part of the workplace, these men and women eat, sleep, shower AND work together. Its not a typical 9-5 where people can go home to their own personal lives, so no matter what, I think its a bigger issue in the military than anywhere else. My db tells me some stories that shock the *%$# out of me.

I guess I haven't expressed an opinion but I think theres a lot more to it than in a civilian job.

I think this sounds like I'm pro-DADT... I'm not.

I agree. :yes

like others have said, i think that rule is in place for their own safety.

haven't any of you watched brokeback mountain?? it was a good damn movie, but he was killed because he was gay. i don't like it but that is the way the world is.

If it's for their safety......then why are most of them BEGGING to openly serve our country:thinking

I don't buy the safety issues. Just like sexual harassment is not tolerated, there needs to strict rules in place for the fair treatment of gay members serving. It's like saying women can't serve with men because the potential exists for them to be raped (which BTW has and does rarely happen). I'd like to think we aren't (for the most part) barbaric animals:rolleyes

I think doing away with it is a bad idea. I feel having an openly gay person living so closely with so many others is a safety issue. Right now you probably don't know who is gay but you also probably don't know who would have extreme issues with living with someone that is gay and would act on those feelings/beliefs. I just think it is a recipe for disaster and if they do take DADT away will not be surprised if something happens to a gay service member.

I also want to add just for clarification purposes that I have nothing against gays. Between John and myself we have 4 gay family members. I believe they should be able to live just like any other person in the world. But unfortunately the reality is some people have extreme issues with them and the way they live.

It's naiive to think that guidelines on how to treat openly gay military members will make a difference until people aren't homophobic anymore.

Whether or not someone is gay has no bearing on their ability to do a job. I think they should be allowed in, but be prepared that not everyone is as accepting as some are.

If it's for their safety......then why are most of them BEGGING to openly serve our country:thinking

I don't buy the safety issues. Just like sexual harassment is not tolerated, there needs to strict rules in place for the fair treatment of gay members serving. It's like saying women can't serve with men because the potential exists for them to be raped (which BTW has and does rarely happen). I'd like to think we aren't (for the most part) barbaric animals:rolleyes

I agree with everything except rape is not a rare thing in the amred services. it happens far more often then I think the civilians know because the military for the most part keeps a very tight lid on it. OK sorry done with the TJ now.

I think doing away with it is a bad idea. I feel having an openly gay person living so closely with so many others is a safety issue. Right now you probably don't know who is gay but you also probably don't know who would have extreme issues with living with someone that is gay and would act on those feelings/beliefs. I just think it is a recipe for disaster and if they do take DADT away will not be surprised if something happens to a gay service member.

I also want to add just for clarification purposes that I have nothing against gays. Between John and myself we have 4 gay family members. I believe they should be able to live just like any other person in the world. But unfortunately the reality is some people have extreme issues with them and the way they live.

Except for people living in a ships berthing together tend to already KNOW who is gay, who is straight, who is bi. It doesn't matter to most of us. It is the covering it up that leads to hate crimes BECAUSE it leads people to feel that the gay member is "wrong" & that it won't matter if they are beat on or other wise harassed, & attacked. BECAUSE the DADT policy a gay service member has no one that he or she can report to if they are being abused in some way based on their sexual orientation.

My husband says it would be great if gays in the Navy take over Housing, Quarters and Culinary. JUST KIDDING!!! But in all honesty he had a friend who came out after getting out and my DH does not judge. They are still friends. I do not know how much it would change. In the Sub force, they are in close quarters. I do not know how that would go over. Just like women on subs.

i will let you know what my hubby says about this topic when he gets home in like 5 hours from work

My husband is against this, just because they live in close quarters with each other...UM so what, who says that a straight person isnt going to check you out in the shower or when you are getting dressed. He makes me so mad! He isnt around or hasnt been around a lot of gay people, but I have, and I think he has that homophob attitude.

I won't even go into how my hubby feels.......we don't agree AT ALL on this subject:sigh

It makes me wonder how my husband took gym class in high school LOL

There are already gays in the Military...hence the don't ask don't tell policy. Do you think all the sudden if they get rid of the policy they are all going to gang up and want the uniform changed to pink or something? j/k about that obviously.

But I just don't see the issue...if they want to fight and serve for their country let them. There are worse things they could do.

I think its a bad idea to change the policy. I dont hate gays or anything but I just think it'd put them in harms way. I'm not the most educated when it comes to this topic but I do know that people, men especially, react weird when it comes to something they aren't used to, something they dont understand. And for the most part they won't try to understand they will just react in a violent way. It's just how people are made. I know if it were me I wouldn't want to shower with people who are gay. Sorry. I'm joining the army and i'm sure there will be gays in it but as long as I dont know i dont care. Again that sounds weird/mean but think about it, put yourself in the shoes of our men.

And as far as the men don't rape our women in the armed forces, thats a lie! It's a bigger deal than you'd think. I'd tell ya about it but it's a little off topic.

Whether or not someone is gay has no bearing on their ability to do a job. I think they should be allowed in, but be prepared that not everyone is as accepting as some are.

I agree.

Dh works with a woman who's gay. The entire command (from what I understand) knows she's gay and they could care less. She still does her job, just like everyone else. Dh was at bootcamp with a gay guy, who hit on him. He's now homophobic against gay males, but not gay females (does that make sense?)

I also think that people in general react differently when they hear a man is gay opposed to a woman being gay.

I think its a bad idea to change the policy. I dont hate gays or anything but I just think it'd put them in harms way. I'm not the most educated when it comes to this topic but I do know that people, men especially, react weird when it comes to something they aren't used to, something they dont understand. And for the most part they won't try to understand they will just react in a violent way. It's just how people are made. I know if it were me I wouldn't want to shower with people who are gay. Sorry. I'm joining the army and i'm sure there will be gays in it but as long as I dont know i dont care. Again that sounds weird/mean but think about it, put yourself in the shoes of our men.

And as far as the men don't rape our women in the armed forces, thats a lie! It's a bigger deal than you'd think. I'd tell ya about it but it's a little off topic.

There are lesbians in the armed services too, I have served with at least two that I knew of. I also knew of bisexual women onboard. I am sure there were more I knew nothing about.

The DADT policy PLACES them in harms way because they legally can not report when they are being harassed because of their sexual orientation. The murder of a gay man stationed in Japan could of been completely avoided had he been able to report to someone when the abuse began but because he could not it just kept escalating. it did not stop until they had beaten him to death.

I know that a few of you that I quoted don't disagree with me, I just quoted you cuz you got me thinking... ;)

As much as sex shouldn't be a part of the workplace, these men and women eat, sleep, shower AND work together. Its not a typical 9-5 where people can go home to their own personal lives, so no matter what, I think its a bigger issue in the military than anywhere else. My db tells me some stories that shock the *%$# out of me.

Just like military members live together, they also DIE together, and if it came down to it, any one in the military for the right reasons would rather have the guy who does his job the BEST next to him despite their sexual orientation.

Because the military isn't ready for it.

On a personal and ethical level, I think it would be great if we could all love one another, join hands and sing kumbaya...but realistically, the military isn't ready for openly gay or lesbian members.

And it will never be ready for it if gays are always separated and asked to keep their lives secret like that. Just like letting African Americans and women in the military, the MILITARY needs to change so that the people in it can. You can't expect something to become a non-issue if it is constantly being made a big deal. Homophobes will always hide behind the don't ask don't tell policy if it is kept. How is that ever going to cause change?

It's naiive to think that guidelines on how to treat openly gay military members will make a difference until people aren't homophobic anymore.

And it is naive to think that people are going to change their opinions if they are never exposed to a situation where they would be forced to question their opinions. If someone can't handle a military with openly gay members, maybe they aren't mature enough to be in the military in the first place.

It makes me wonder how my husband took gym class in high school LOL

LMAO, no kidding right? Hahaha.

Personally, I think that the don't ask don't tell policy is completely discriminatory and out dated. First of all, straight people are not banned from talking about their families, and no one in the military is encouraged to discuss intimate sexual details of their lives. So, why are gay people asked to keep quiet about who they are, but straight people are not? Second of all, there are multiple cases of soldiers with perfectly good records and MOS'es that are in very high demand who are being kicked out involuntarily SIMPLY BECAUSE THEY ARE GAY. Look at all of the Arabic translators that were discharged when their sexual orientation was discovered. Those soldiers were forced to either admit they are gay, which is against the rules, or to lie about it which is also against the rules. With the severe need for translators in the military during wartime, can we really afford to trap people into discharge like that, especially when we are at war with a country that speaks Arabic?

As for people's personal comfort... if anyone is incapable of doing their job or controlling themselves from hurting someone else because of their beliefs about another persons sexual orientation, they are not good enough to be in our military. Our military is there to protect and defend our freedoms, to protect our country from harm. Their jobs are so important to our nation that without them, we wouldn't be a nation. The job they are asked to do is the most important job we have, and if someone is willing to honorably and proficiently serve, why would ANYONE want to stop them? This job costs people's their LIVES. I know I would want the people who are the best at preventing that, and debating about who they sleep with is SO silly in the grand scheme.

And it is naive to think that people are going to change their opinions if they are never exposed to a situation where they would be forced to question their opinions. If someone can't handle a military with openly gay members, maybe they aren't mature enough to be in the military in the first place.
.
I don't disagree with you. However, if our country's safety depended on a military that only allowed MATURE people to be in it, I'm sad to say that I think we would have an Emperor by now and not a President.

The military recruits em young, and most of them aren't very mature at 18-20 are they? Supposedly we already have a hard enough time with recruitment.

I feel like no matter where you work your sex life and sexual orientation in general should not be talked about. Straight or gay, it should not be discussed at work. Therefore, as far as the workplace goes, everyone is nonsexual. Then it doesn't matter if you're gay or not.

Being gay is as central to someone's identity as being straight is to yours in ways we straight people don't even have to think about. I don't talk about my sex life at work but I mention things in my domestic life and use the term "my husband" probably hundreds of times a day. Imagine if you had to censor yourself and remember to play "the pronoun game" everytime you want to say anything remotely related to the most important person in your life. Imagine how sad and isolated you would feel.

ok so i brought this up with dh today who is on subs and he said the only place he could see it being a problem is on subs because you are in such close quarters that it could be awkward but in every other military setting who cares.

ok so i brought this up with dh today who is on subs and he said the only place he could see it being a problem is on subs because you are in such close quarters that it could be awkward but in every other military setting who cares.

I dont think that should matter on ships their sleeping spots have hundreds of people..

I dont think that should matter on ships their sleeping spots have hundreds of people..

hey i am just typing what my husband said not me. when you are in a floating tube it sort of is a bit more confined. i can't say anything because i've never really been on a sub, well the kind he's on.

If it's for their safety......then why are most of them BEGGING to openly serve our country:thinking

I don't buy the safety issues. Just like sexual harassment is not tolerated, there needs to strict rules in place for the fair treatment of gay members serving. It's like saying women can't serve with men because the potential exists for them to be raped (which BTW has and does rarely happen). I'd like to think we aren't (for the most part) barbaric animals:rolleyes

I totally agree. People not only get killed or harrassed for their sexual orientation, but also for their race, yet they allow every race into the military. If a gay person wants to take the chance and join the military then it should be their right. I have also heard the "it's a distraction" argument. So it's not a distraction to have women in the military? This is the 21st century in the US. Why are we not over the whole gay thing yet? They should be allowed exactly the same rights as heterosexuals, like marriage and military.

I think doing away with it is a bad idea. I feel having an openly gay person living so closely with so many others is a safety issue. Right now you probably don't know who is gay but you also probably don't know who would have extreme issues with living with someone that is gay and would act on those feelings/beliefs. I just think it is a recipe for disaster and if they do take DADT away will not be surprised if something happens to a gay service member.

I also want to add just for clarification purposes that I have nothing against gays. Between John and myself we have 4 gay family members. I believe they should be able to live just like any other person in the world. But unfortunately the reality is some people have extreme issues with them and the way they live.


So we are supposed to hide them from the world? The only way to let people know that it is OK is to give them the rights that they deserve. Yes, bad things are going to happen, and that really sucks. But sadly, sometimes that is what it takes to make people see what is right and what is wrong.

It's naiive to think that guidelines on how to treat openly gay military members will make a difference until people aren't homophobic anymore.

It's naive to think that there will ever be a time when there are no homophobic people. It's a sad truth that racism, homophobia, and other types of prejudice are always going to exist. As I said before, this does not mean that we should hide the victims from the world and not give them the rights they deserve.

I don't give a hoot what color someone is or who they want to mess around with, or what religion they practice. If they want to serve they should be allowed to. Especially with how badly good men and women are needed right now.

Except for people living in a ships berthing together tend to already KNOW who is gay, who is straight, who is bi. It doesn't matter to most of us. It is the covering it up that leads to hate crimes BECAUSE it leads people to feel that the gay member is "wrong" & that it won't matter if they are beat on or other wise harassed, & attacked. BECAUSE the DADT policy a gay service member has no one that he or she can report to if they are being abused in some way based on their sexual orientation.

I absolutely agree!

I know that a few of you that I quoted don't disagree with me, I just quoted you cuz you got me thinking... ;)



Just like military members live together, they also DIE together, and if it came down to it, any one in the military for the right reasons would rather have the guy who does his job the BEST next to him despite their sexual orientation.



And it will never be ready for it if gays are always separated and asked to keep their lives secret like that. Just like letting African Americans and women in the military, the MILITARY needs to change so that the people in it can. You can't expect something to become a non-issue if it is constantly being made a big deal. Homophobes will always hide behind the don't ask don't tell policy if it is kept. How is that ever going to cause change?



And it is naive to think that people are going to change their opinions if they are never exposed to a situation where they would be forced to question their opinions. If someone can't handle a military with openly gay members, maybe they aren't mature enough to be in the military in the first place.



LMAO, no kidding right? Hahaha.

Personally, I think that the don't ask don't tell policy is completely discriminatory and out dated. First of all, straight people are not banned from talking about their families, and no one in the military is encouraged to discuss intimate sexual details of their lives. So, why are gay people asked to keep quiet about who they are, but straight people are not? Second of all, there are multiple cases of soldiers with perfectly good records and MOS'es that are in very high demand who are being kicked out involuntarily SIMPLY BECAUSE THEY ARE GAY. Look at all of the Arabic translators that were discharged when their sexual orientation was discovered. Those soldiers were forced to either admit they are gay, which is against the rules, or to lie about it which is also against the rules. With the severe need for translators in the military during wartime, can we really afford to trap people into discharge like that, especially when we are at war with a country that speaks Arabic?

As for people's personal comfort... if anyone is incapable of doing their job or controlling themselves from hurting someone else because of their beliefs about another persons sexual orientation, they are not good enough to be in our military. Our military is there to protect and defend our freedoms, to protect our country from harm. Their jobs are so important to our nation that without them, we wouldn't be a nation. The job they are asked to do is the most important job we have, and if someone is willing to honorably and proficiently serve, why would ANYONE want to stop them? This job costs people's their LIVES. I know I would want the people who are the best at preventing that, and debating about who they sleep with is SO silly in the grand scheme.

THANK you!!

I wonder if it might be better for the gay guys if they kept it under wraps. They could get hurt or killed depending on who decided to be a bigot, you know? I don't want to hear about a soldier getting shot on purpose in friendly fire over in Iraq just because he was gay.

I agree with you, I think that's the sad truth.

I'm 100% supportive of a few gays/lesbians I know in the military. But even they believe that it's better for their own safety to keep it under wraps... regardless of "don't ask, don't tell."

It's sad, and it's horrible... but that's the way it is.

If it's for their safety......then why are most of them BEGGING to openly serve our country:thinking

I don't buy the safety issues. Just like sexual harassment is not tolerated, there needs to strict rules in place for the fair treatment of gay members serving. It's like saying women can't serve with men because the potential exists for them to be raped (which BTW has and does rarely happen). I'd like to think we aren't (for the most part) barbaric animals:rolleyes
are you kidding me! Im stationed at nas pensacola and in this year alone there have been 26 male on male sexual assults alone! It happens way too offten, and honestly, i dont care about the whole gay issue, but do you know how many guys would FREAK if they had a gay roomate? That would be bad, just my 2 cents.

are you kidding me! Im stationed at nas pensacola and in this year alone there have been 26 male on male sexual assults alone! It happens way too offten, and honestly, i dont care about the whole gay issue, but do you know how many guys would FREAK if they had a gay roomate? That would be bad, just my 2 cents.

Did you join just to bring up this thread that's over a month old? LOL.

Anyway, why should the homophobic guy that can't seem to get over himself enough to stop worrying about someone else's sexual orientation and do his damn job matter more than the gay guy? My husband had a gay roommate in the Army. He didn't give a crap. Neither did any of the other guys in their unit, and they all knew he was gay. All they cared about was that he DID HIS JOB. That's what should matter.

Sexual assault should be handled like the crime it is no matter what the circumstance, not used to discriminate against a whole group of people. I think it's obvious that the DADT policy completely screwed the military when 9 linguists were discharged from the military JUST FOR BEING GAY, at a time when we were at war in a foreign country and NEEDED those linguists to communicate, and the military was desperately searching for linguists. The desires of the bigots trumped the needs of the military. Sad.

I think it would be fine to do away with it. I have actually known a gay man in the military and he did his job just as well, if not better, than the straight guys. I don't think it should be an issue.

(sorry, I didn't notice this was an old post, lol, but oh well, I added my little 2 cents :) )

The whole dont ask dont ell things is just politcal BS. We servicemembers know who is gay and who isnt anyway. You can be gay in the military. For the most part the only time anyone gets in trouble is is 1. the step on soemone toes, and the want them out of the way or 2. You bring it up to the command cause veryone knows you will get put out with an honorable.Who cares. My prerequisite is can you fire a gun??? Lets go!

While I agree that sex itself (the actual acts of) shouldn't be openly talked about in the workplace, I will never agree that someone has to hide who they are. Some things are obvious. I don't think talking about a partner or significant other, falls under discussing sex at work.

Right now under the current DADT policy they not only have to not talk about it........but they have to hope they don't get found out or caught. That is no way to live at work and it's totally and completely unfair. I hope the entire policy dies and everyone can be free to be who they are openly and without living in constant fear of loosing their career.

I'm with this idea. :yes

A lot of times, people know that others in the command are homosexual (and who those people are) and no one really has a problem with it. I don't think they should have to hide who they are or who they're dating. They are in the military and it hasn't caused any real problems. I think having to hide it with the don't ask/don't tell policy is more trouble than if people didn't have to hide their sexual orientation. I'd like to see the policy done away with as I don't think there's really any point to it.

And if people might think it's a problem to have gay people on subs, then standard procedure could be implemented to not include gay people on subs, just like they don't allow women on subs.

Other than that, it shouldn't really be an issue.

I think doing away with the don't ask-don't tell policy is a bad idea.

I agree :yes

It's not a good idea because not EVERYONE is as openminded as you would want them to be. The don't ask don't tell policy protects someone who is "different" whether by choice or because that's just how they are. If it were CONFIRMED so and so was gay, I bet you, that person would be getting a visit from some close minded fool.

I think doing away with the don't ask-don't tell policy is a bad idea.
:agree

Because the military isn't ready for it.

On a personal and ethical level, I think it would be great if we could all love one another, join hands and sing kumbaya...but realistically, the military isn't ready for openly gay or lesbian members.

:yes

It's not a good idea because not EVERYONE is as openminded as you would want them to be. The don't ask don't tell policy protects someone who is "different" whether by choice or because that's just how they are. If it were CONFIRMED so and so was gay, I bet you, that person would be getting a visit from some close minded fool.

So, I guess we should not let any black people in the military because some closed minded fool might be a racist? Or women because some closed minded fool might be a sexist? Or an Arab because some closed minded fool might hate all Arabs?

I absolutely never cared who people were attracted to when I was in. It shouldn't be an issue. If you do your job and you are willing to put your life on the line, why does it matter?
If you are a gay member and you are nervous about certain people and hate crimes, you should have the OPTION to conceal it, not be forced into it.

I agree with everything except rape is not a rare thing in the amred services. it happens far more often then I think the civilians know because the military for the most part keeps a very tight lid on it. OK sorry done with the TJ now.

Yeah, I'll second that!

It's not a good idea because not EVERYONE is as openminded as you would want them to be. The don't ask don't tell policy protects someone who is "different" whether by choice or because that's just how they are. If it were CONFIRMED so and so was gay, I bet you, that person would be getting a visit from some close minded fool.

It actually does NOT help them. If they are being harassed because of their sexual preference and hazed for it they can not tell anyone about it. There was a gay man beaten to death in Japan (Navy) because he was gay. His murder was the last act in a very LONG series of malicious acts against him. The Navy swept it all under the rug. It was awful & you can bet that while maybe not murder but beating and other forms of victimization do occur and they can not do anything about it.

My husband is homophobic he says he doesn't want them to involve him in their lifestyle. He feels that if someone is gay they must be checking him out/fantasizing about him. It makes me sick that he just assumes that if a man is gay he might try to rape him when they are underway. I have tried SO many times to explain to him that just because you may be gay it does not mean you are a rapist. It makes me want to smack him because it is pure ignorance.

ok I can tell that there is a little bit of a misunderstanding here. I do not care if someone is gay or not, nor do I care if they are checking me out. Think abbout it differently. Males and females do not shower together for a reason. So if you have a male that likes males then why would you want them to shower with the people they are attracted to. You can call me ignorant if you want to, that is your feelings on the subject. I have grown alot actually, my mind has changed many different times on this subject. I think that if they do away with the policy then other people would be even more uncomfortable and it will open up a lot more sexual harrasment cases in the military. Thanks for putting me out like that Honey!!!!

ok I can tell that there is a little bit of a misunderstanding here. I do not care if someone is gay or not, nor do I care if they are checking me out. Think abbout it differently. Males and females do not shower together for a reason. So if you have a male that likes males then why would you want them to shower with the people they are attracted to. You can call me ignorant if you want to, that is your feelings on the subject. I have grown alot actually, my mind has changed many different times on this subject. I think that if they do away with the policy then other people would be even more uncomfortable and it will open up a lot more sexual harrasment cases in the military. Thanks for putting me out like that Honey!!!!

LOL, forgive your wife.

I just wanted to say that people of the same sex shower together because of MODESTY reasons, not sexual reasons. LOL. People with the same body parts shower together because they have the SAME BODY PARTS. It has nothing to do with who you want to sleep with, nor should it. Why does everything have to be made into a sex issue? Just because someone is gay doesn't mean they are going to play "drop the soap" in the shower. :lmao Straight people are just as likely to commit sexual harassment. In fact, if you wanna look at numbers, you are MUCH more likely to be sexually harassed by a straight person since there are so many MORE straight people than there are gay people in the world, not to mention the MILITARY.

And BTW, if you are in the military, chances are, you have ALREADY SHOWERED WITH GAY PEOPLE. :nana :giggle

I absolutely agree that the DADT policy needs to go. First of all, being gay doesn't preclude you from a sense of patriotic duty, why shouldn't you be able to serve your country?

Secondly, after having been in the Navy, it was my experience that you can't live with a bunch of people for extended periods of time and keep secrets. It was only a matter of time before everyone knew who was gay and who was straight. Guess what, there are tons of homosexuals currently serving in the armed forces. Most of them serve with honor and courage. The ones that don't are no different that the straight douchebags that get in trouble, they will be dealt with. Gays are serving right now, everyone knows who they are, just no one talks about it. Why should they live in fear of losing a career over something they can't control??

And thirdly, it is totally possible, actually it's downright easy, at least in the Navy, to shower and change clothes or take care of any number of hygeine duties without anyone in berthing seeing you naked. Homophobic behaviour is discrimitory and shouldn't be an excuse to exclude a whole population of the country from military service.

I think homosexuality should be a non-issue.

i dont think it's anyone's business, but if they do away with the policy, will they reject gays because of hiv exposure? i know they test for it anyway, but i also know that blood banks can reject "gays" because of exposure. i would assume military would feel the same, but i dont really know.

i agree, i think it should be a non-issue