Gays in the Military

[Nimelia]

In Norway, they aren't even allowed to ask such questions concerning religion or sexuality because it's considered irrelevant. It's illegal to ask for that information. Of course, if you apply for a job as a priest in the Protestant church, you have to be a member of the state church (which should be abolished, but that's an entirely different matter). Norwegian law prohibits discrimination of any kind. I'm not saying that there is no discrimination in Norway, but I think there's less of it here than for example in the USA. People in Norway generally seem to be okay with people with another sexuality, so gays in the Norwegian military would probably not have many difficulties. Yes, there are of course some superstitious, homophobic maniacs, but the majority of the population don't really care much. Gays in the military has never really been a topic here.

Maybe because it hasn't been a problem? The reasons for this could be the fact that our armed forces are very few and the number is slowly decreasing. Therefore, gays don't appear very often. Also, even if Norway has compulsory military service for all men, and optional for women, most recieve call-up papers but only a few pass the physical/medical tests. In addition, you can apply for civil service instead of military, and if you plan to take higher education right away after upper secondary, the military doesn't really seem to be interested in you. If you're pacifist, you have the right to deny performing military service whatsoever and they can't ask what you would do if someone tried to kill your family, because, of course, everyone would defend their family, but the answer to this question can't be used against you to make you do military service.

However, I can imagine it must be worse for the homosexual soldier in a group of heterosexual, homophobic soldiers than it is for all the straight guys there. These homophobic people often seem to be prejudiced about homosexuals. I once saw a heterosexual man on TV who said that he wouldn't feel comfortable showering with men he knew was gay because he thought the gay guys might enjoy it. Don't they know that homosexuals are drawn to other homosexuals rather than to straight people?

But altogether, I don't see why people want to join the army.

[SSY]

What makes you think gay men only find other gay men attractive?

I have gay friends who do not take this into account. Obviously they won't form a relationship, but it has no bearing on lust.

As another example, Lindsey Lohan may be a lesbian, but I still would not pass up the opportunity to shower with her.

[Kylyssa]

What makes you think gay men only find other gay men attractive?

I have gay friends who do not take this into account. Obviously they won't form a relationship, but it has no bearing on lust.

As another example, Lindsey Lohan may be a lesbian, but I still would not pass up the opportunity to shower with her.

I have to agree.  I'm bisexual and I find women and men attractive regardless of their sexuality.  I can't fathom approaching a person of an incompatible sexuality to date, though.  

Women and men are in the military, I don't see what the difference is.  I think the homophobes believe the homosexual people will rape them or something.  Homophobes and fundies equate being a homosexual with being a rapist and pedophile all the time.

[Kyuuketsuki]

I have to agree.  I'm bisexual and I find women and men attractive regardless of their sexuality.  I can't fathom approaching a person of an incompatible sexuality to date, though.

I'm fine with bisexual women ... does that count   ?

Kyu

[curiosityandthecat]

Women and men are in the military, I don't see what the difference is.  I think the homophobes believe the homosexual people will rape them or something.  Homophobes and fundies equate being a homosexual with being a rapist and pedophile all the time.

Homophobes are idiots. Homophobes with guns are scary idiots.

Reminds me of this:

[youtube:gi0mtplb]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=o-id4GKsaQk[/youtube:gi0mtplb]

[spoiler:gi0mtplb]

"Homosexuality is a threat to the family. Are you kidding me? How? No one ever explains it. How? It's not like there's a Jehovah's Witnesses of gaydom. 'Hi, we're here, we're queer, we're here, we're queer. I brought swatches! I brought swatches!'

But maybe I'm wrong. Maybe there are a group of gay banditos who get into a van every day and wander from village to dell. And as night begins to fall, they go back into a suburban neighborhood to that cul-de-sac where only one house stands. And in the window this young American family is setting down to their first meal and these queers don their black cloaks and hoods and matching pumps--very tasteful--and they charcoal up their faces and sneak up to that house...and open the door...and START FUCKING EACH OTHER IN THE ASS!

AND ANOTHER AMERICAN FAMILY IS DESTROYED!"

[/spoiler:gi0mtplb]

[Asmodean]

I have to agree.  I'm bisexual and I find women and men attractive regardless of their sexuality.  I can't fathom approaching a person of an incompatible sexuality to date, though.

[Big Mac]

Sup Holmes!?!?! Long time no see, right?

Let me say my bit. Let's break it down.

It's like any other job. Keep your sexual feelings to yourself. Yeah yeah, all you ladies want me and stuff, but I have to let you know if we were working together you couldn't just jump all over me, as much as you and I both like it.

Gays are just people. They have the same issues, hopes, dreams, problems, etc. as we do. They eat, sleep, shat, etc. like we do. Why shouldn't they be allowed to served this great country? Honestly, we need more soldiers. This country has been good to me, I want it to last longer than I do. If someone else wants to be willing to shed their blood for her, more power to them.

What and where they want to stick their you-know-what in you-know-who shouldn't matter. If it's with 1.) Consenting adults. 2.) In their own privacy. More fucking power to them.

I think we should have one simple standard in the military. No exceptions for gays, women, etc. If you can't cut it, you don't stay. You feel me? If you can't do X amount of pushups, Y amount of situps, run 2 miles in Z amount of time, you have no place carrying a rifle to protect this country.

Just my two cents.

[VietnamVet-BRIGHT]

Should homosexuals be allowed to serve in the armed forces while being open about their sexuality? My vote is yes.

I voted "yes" as well.  Newsflash: Gays have been quietly serving all services, branches and jobs in the military, combat and support, for several hundred years.

Having been in infantry combat, when the shit hits the fan, the last thing on your mind are the details of somebody's sex life ... all you care about is that each and everyone do their job and not let their squad members down.

The US military's discrimination against gays has been driven by Christian homophobia within its ranks ... it's time to stop this moronic nonsense.

.

[AnnaM]

no one should be in the military, bunch of conceited barbarians.

[keith2004]

Should homosexuals be allowed to serve in the armed forces while being open about their sexuality? My vote is yes.

I voted "yes" as well.  Newsflash: Gays have been quietly serving all services, branches and jobs in the military, combat and support, for several hundred years.

Having been in infantry combat, when the shit hits the fan, the last thing on your mind are the details of somebody's sex life ... all you care about is that each and everyone do their job and not let their squad members down.

The US military's discrimination against gays has been driven by Christian homophobia within its ranks ... it's time to stop this moronic nonsense.

.

Totally Agree...that its even a debate is silly

I love ur signature BTW, i think i should start doing that to my $$

[Kyuuketsuki]

no one should be in the military, bunch of conceited barbarians.

Oh dear ... another one who has lost grip on reality!

Kyu

[SSY]

Somone voted no, was this AnnaM? Or someone with a specefic ill against gays in the military?

[seasonsofmadness]

This video explains everything.
[youtube:22qi6uo7]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aotlEpmAFVQ[/youtube:22qi6uo7]

[VietnamVet-BRIGHT]

I love ur signature BTW, i think i should start doing that to my $$

If you don't have a stamp, simply do the following with a medium point permanent marker ... it changes the motto to "in NO god we trust" ...



.

[AlP]

Rather than just crossing out "God", I replace it with another word like "science", "reason", "medicine", "freedom" or "democracy" for example. I think that's more positive.