11 Openly Gay GIs Booted in January

www.military.com...

WASHINGTON - The Army fired 11 Soldiers in January for violating the military's policy that gay service members must keep their sexuality hidden, according to a Virginia congressman. Democratic Rep. Jim Moran said he has requested monthly updates from the Pentagon on the impact of the policy until it is repealed. In a statement released on Thursday, Moran said the discharged Soldiers included an intelligence collector, a military police officer, four infantry personnel, a health care specialist, a motor-transport operator and a water-treatment specialist. "How many more good Soldiers are we willing to lose due to a bad policy that makes us less safe and secure?" asked Moran, a member of the House panel that oversees military spending.

I really don't understand this. The Army is ok with giving waivers to those with criminal records so they can join the army, but they will kick out anyone who is gay? This is so ridiculous! I'd take a gay soldier over an ex-criminal anyday.

Isn't there supposed to be changes made so that gays can join the military?

[edit on 18-3-2009 by virraszto]

I remember reading this story on CNN I think. I wasn't surprise given the fact that gay's aren't allowed in the military in the first place.

However, in my opinion, I feel that it's wrong to kick someone out of the military just for being gay.

I honestly can't comment on this because I don't like being around people in general, but...

I will anyway.

I figure if a guy who's watching my butt (pun is optional) is gay, either:

A: He doesn't find me attractive, but will defend me in the same way he does everyone else.

or

B: He finds me attractive and will give his life to defend me.

I see no downside here.

The only downside is "discomfort," but isn't that what military life is all about anyway? Most gay people, in my experience, don't throw themselves at you (except maybe once), and even then eventually understand.

They have a different view on life, but are still Americans. They can be as patriotic as anyone else.

Now, there are some (male or female) who aren't able to "control" themselves. That goes both ways (straight or gay). Then, I would understand.

You would take a gay guy over an ex criminal anyday?
I wouldnt.
Hell most of the people in the military have done a crime at least once in their lives, hell, most people on this earth have. Some just get caught, and some dont.
Its always been a "Dont ask Dont Tell Policy". And it has worked out well for the military. Most of the soldiers/troops would rather have an ex criminal watching their backs rather than a gay man anyday of the week.
I been in the military, and I can tell you that most of the soldiers/troops I have ever come across have felt the same way.
I think those soldiers who came out to say "Hey Im gay" knew that by doing so, would get them kicked out.
They knew the rules, they broke the rules, and they should understand by breaking the rules, that you must pay the price, not bend the rules to fit your personal beliefs.

reply to post by Common Good


You know I think my husband who is retired Army would probably agree with you. Well, he probably wouldn't want to have a gay guy on his team, especially when they eat, sleep and do everything inside their track when they are out in the field. But, I would bet he wouldn't want an ex criminal watching his back either.

As a female, I don't understand the problem with a gay soldier.

reply to post by virraszto


Hey maybe he wouldnt, and I cant blame a lot of people who would.
Fact of the matter is though, ex-criminals make for very good soldiers.
Some men are born to fish, other men are born to kill and the army surely doesnt have as much of a job field in the fishing industry as they do the killing industry. Id leave that up to the Navy =)

As a gay person myself, I don't see why any other gays would WANT to be in the military? It's just the government's way of getting rid of us.

But all in all, if they want to defend people who won't defend them, let them be.

Just something that popped into my head. Are we talking about gay combat soldiers or all soldiers? How about a gay band member? How about a gay medical clerk? Or a gay cook? Do you think folks would be more tolerant if they weren't gay combat soldiers?

[edit on 19-3-2009 by virraszto]

They knew what they were doing when they openly announced they were gay. The Don't askd Dont tell policy isn't something that has just come into effect. It has bee around for a long time now.


These people wanted out. Now they see they might get some publicity and possibly money out of it they are going to act like victims.


I'm glad they are gone. The GP mediums arent private at all, 20- 30 cots in those things and the place gets pretty crowded. I don't need a gay guy sleeping 12 inches from me for 30-90 days for field problems or longer if I am deployed.

Originally posted by virraszto
Just something that popped into my head. Are we talking about gay combat soldiers or all soldiers? How about a gay band member? How about a gay medical clerk? Or a gay cook? Do you think folks would be more tolerant if they weren't gay combat soldiers?

[edit on 19-3-2009 by virraszto]

I don't care if the guy sits in a room and listens to beeps all day. We all sleep and shower in the same place. The field is not a private place. I have seen so many schlongs from my time in the field Andy Dick would die from jealousy.

No a gay guy in any unit doesn't belong.

That goes for gay females also.

yea, I dont think people think being a gay cook is the same as being a gay soldier. Apples to Oranges I guess. And JD is right, they really dont belong in that field, the gays know it, the Generals know it, the soldiers know it, and everyone else knows it. All it does is create problems not only for the gays, but for everyone else as well. This issue has been around for a long time, and its there to protect our soldiers not only from our enemies, but from other fellow soldiers who have conflicting views on the subject that they hold dear to heart. Like I said earlier, these guys knew by the time they got into MEPS about the whole Dont Ask Dont Tell Policy. They knew, and they went in anyways(lying about it). After being in the military after so many years(however long they were in) they chose as an individual, to state their gayness to get out of something they no longer believe in. Hell, whos to say these guys are really gay? Ive seen people in the military say they were gay just to get out of the military cause they didnt like it. Im not saying these guys arent gay, Im just saying people will do/say anything that they can think of to get out of the military. (Clinger from M.A.S.H)..remember him right? =)

reply to post by Common Good


I don't doubt there probably are some people claiming they're gay to get discharged from the army. I don't doubt that at all.

I was a soldier, an NCO, for many years. I knew lots of soldiers who were gay. It never bothered me. And, no, I wasn't afraid if I dropped the soap in the showers that I would be, um, buggered?
Can I say that on ATS.
What is all this homophopia so many people have? Is it an illness or something?
These 11 soldiers knew if they "came out" they would be booted from the military. I suppose they could be doing this as a form of protest, or maybe they have been harrassed because they are different and wanted out.

This is just unacceptable. The constitution sees no color, race, creed or sexuality and thus in that sense those soldiers should have been allowed to carry out their right as free americans to serve their nation.

I couldnt give a damn how you feel about somebody elses sexuality, religion or race, the constitution applies to them just as much as it applies to any other american. Unbelievable.

reply to post by Southern Guardian





Edit: I removed this part because it came out wrong and I don't want to offend anyone.

[edit on 19-3-2009 by virraszto]

[edit on 19-3-2009 by virraszto]

reply to post by virraszto


Apology accepted.

I had a second line, forgot where I put it.

[edit on 19-3-2009 by jd140]

You should be pleased . They are being given a bye in participating in an illegal war . Just say one of these gay men shot an Iraqi civilian dead if he had been allowed to stay , you wouldnt be able to recover that loss to him or his family , so it is best he wasn't there to shoot anyone in the first place . Best if they turned everyone down and let the world catch a breather from US so called help .

[edit on 19-3-2009 by Gun Totin Gerbil]

reply to post by virraszto


You dont give a damn how uncomfortable the majority of our troops feel?
thats a pretty horrible statement. an uncomfortable soldier, is a dead soldier. If a guy cant be comfortable with the guy next to him watching his back, then they are both screwed. You HAVE to depend on the guy next to you, its your life, and his! You never been in the military have you? I wouldnt expect you to understand that, but thats the way it is. Our soldiers go into the military volunterily, they say "hey sign me up, I will take one for my people as long as I have all the tools I need". If any of the soldiers demands arent meant, then they arent really useful now are they?
Like I said earlier, the rules are in place for a reason, just like the law.
You break the rules, you pay the consequences, they knew what they were doing, and sadly to say once you are in the military, the only way to get out is by disobeying these rules/committing crimes or riding our your term. These soldiers disobeyed the rules knowing that it would get them kicked out.
Rules are rules, personal beliefs aside. Until the people who keep this country safe change those rules, the wheels will keep on spinning.

reply to post by jd140


JD,

I wasn't trying to demoralize him. I'm sorry if you took it that way. I only meant that all soldiers can lose it when things get rough, and it shouldn't matter if they are straight or gay. That's all I meant. Again, sorry if I offended you.

reply to post by virraszto


Sorry about the above statement....I accidentaly replied to you when I was really responding to S.G.
My Bad.
Dont hit me =)