Servicemen & Veterans: Does having gays in the military really cause problems?

The main issue issue behind gays in the military is one of tradition. By that, I'm referring to the tradition of homophobia. The gay community has become more openly accepted in the general public and its only a matter of time before our government, including the military come around too.

There's been a few reasons that I've heard why gays shouldn't serve.

1. Religious reasons. I'm not touching this one but to say that there is a separation between church and state. That includes our government-run military.

2. Uneasiness of male bonding. Male bonding is done on different levels. Service members that don't want gays in the military are afraid of the ones on intimate levels. Simple answer, don't advertise and therefore don't trap yourself. This goes for both ends of the sexual preference.

3. Group showering. Again, this is a childish argument. Men (and women) have visually undressed the opposite gender in and out of clothes. What's the difference? Do what you have to do and get out. Besides, if you're looking around while showering it kinda questions your sexuality.

Personal Note: I do not support gay rights nor do I condemn them. "Don't Ask, Don't Tell" was fine for its time. People need to realize that times are changing again and they need to accept the changes or be left in the dark with slavery and the holocaust.

Your bonus question is really intriguing. However, I don't see an answer to that for another 5-10 years.

It wouldn't be a problem. There are many homosexuals in the military now. Allowing them to be themselves is just and fair. Everyone that is capable, and wants to, should be able to serve their country. 40 years ago people would have had the same arguments of why women shouldn't be allowed to serve. Times and social morals and values change, and people need to adapt to these changes to survive.

As for the Democrats and Republicans, I think they both try to ignore these issues so they don't alienate their base. I don't think most politicians have the ethical or moral philosophies to put enough thought into a possible slippery slope.

Well directly no, but as you can probably figure out it is a touchy subject. It would probably piss off many soldiers and may lead to hate crimes within the military. It would also make many soldiers feel uncomfortable so it is best to stick with don't ask don't tell. It is more of a social problem, most americans are not very accepting of gays. The sexual prefaces really does not change that individual, but there is the fact that it is still frowned upon in our society as a whole. So best to leave it as it is for now.

1. At the duty station, not really -- ive never met anyone in any service, who did not know of at least one gay service member in their unit.

2. In the barracks, yes it is an issue. No straight person wants to room with a gay person.

In our barracks, they just put the gay guy in a room by himself and he never had a roommate

Of course he ended up stabbing a non gay friend of his, who rejected his sexual advance and was sent to prison.

3. Letting gays serve openly is completely different than just not kicking them out of the military. Allowing gays to serve openly, would cause a host of issues.

Dont get me wrong, but i hate homosexuals.

3 years being in the Army, I have only heard one guy claim to be gay.

Those 3 years I never looked to find gays, so in that case It didnt bother me.

We all wear Green, fight on the same streets downrange. It just doesn't matter If your gay,as long as you can shoot.

They need to keep the policy. Gays will always serve, but openly service , holding hands, kissing each other Is just damn wrong and makes our military look bad!!!

I the Uk gays have the same rights as heterosexuals in the Military as well as in civilian life. To be openly homosexual and living in a civil partnership in the Military is simply not an issue. Gay couples have the same rights to married Quarters and other benefits as we heterosexual couples do and we have a lovely gay couple living on our 'patch', one of whom is a Senior Officer whose partner is lovely. To have it any other way would seem neanderthal.

This is a nice PC question asked by someone who has never lived in the forced closeness of the military especially in a high intensity situation. The nice civilian walls that exist between a straight persons shower and a homosexual persons shower does not exist in the military. What if you as a woman were forced to shower everyday with a man who wanted you but you didn't want him? It wouldn't be flattering when you are living in fear of you life already.

There is far more that is involved in military life than even our families do not understand because they are on the outside looking in.

Yes, there are and have been many homosexuals in the military who serve with distinction. But, when looking at the militaries of the world which accept openly homosexual members (like England) they have lost their edge and their culture has imploded, not due to homosexuality per se but by following a PC agenda.

Our military has already lost soldiers due to the PC agenda---Don't ask us to lose more.

if you were to ask my husband who has been in 21 years he would say yes...its a problem...now on the outside of that we have gay friends...who have never been in the military...but he comes from a time before this dont ask dont tell dont reveal...i think its harder for them to adjust that thinking to everyone can be open about it...sounds strange huh...the other question...it is a slippery slope..and as long as i dont have to see anyone's sexual activity straight or otherwise..im good with whatever makes you happy...

The policy is dont ask dont tell and there is gays in the military they just cant aknoweldge there sexuality hens dont ask dont tell. It is not that they cant join they just cant flaunt their sexuality to there co workers. An individuals sexuality should never be brought up in any work enviroment.

I once asked a similar question to your bonus question see linkhttp://answers.yahoo.com/question/index;_ylt=Ajefm...

the guys dont bunk with girls for the same reason. being away for a long time with out being with your partner, and then being around someone your sexual attracted to could be a problem. and you cant have gays bunk somewhere else bc that would be worse.