Solatene…

More than likely he did because in order for him to openly speak to gays they would have to be comfortable and not feel threatened in the work place. I would hang out fellow soldiers but was always concerned about being myself and fitting in not being me so I came out to a fellow senior… I was told O.K. and what? Everyone already knows and no one cares. They like me for me and think I’m a cool person. And it hasn;t stopped any of the guys from trying to get with me. But they know there boundries and even trust me around their wives. So HAHA Mr. John Doe

don’t you think many feel a sort of entitlement or even duty to prove a point physically because gays are supposed to keep quiet? whereas if gays were equal and it was a nonissue policy-wise, servicemen’s treatment of their gay peers may follow suit. not universally i’m sure, but i see it as a case of raising the bar and people will rise to meet it.
military boys club or not, servicemen can’t avoid the realities of our society and shouldn’t be given excuses and policies that help them to.

and re: to jason: “it is ridiculous to think that the number of gays joining the military will be greater than the number of (admittedly prejudiced) straight men who will refuse to join”

that is absurd that people would refuse to join based on gays joining as well, but i’m sure that in some cases that happens. however, we can’t construct policies based of fear. look where that’s gotten us in the past 8 years.

So I don’t think there is, or likely will be, a “good time” to make the change. Just do it, and get on with life.

Any action or change in policy should be done in a way which does not diminish our ability to do the former.

We’re in the midst of multiple shooting wars. It’s probably not the right time to engage in social experimentation, no matter how noble the cause.

A subtle change in policy could accomplish most of the goal “under the radar”: just stop believing or investigating reports of (otherwise non-criminal) homosexual activity. Save the big declarations for when the current conflict is less of an issue (preferably, when it’s over).

How can any well-educated person not see the blatant avoidance of equal rights that currently stands in the Armed Forces? Of course the policy is broken John Doe, “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell” is telling the gay and lesbian community that because of their sexual orientation, they can’t be accepted into the military and they can not serve, unless they essentially pretend to be straight. It’s about time that this policy was thrown out, as its in clear violation of our Constitution, remember “All men/women are created equal?” That doesn’t exclude the gay population, and by denying their rights to join an organization in this country, no matter what the BS reason, we are denying the very rights this country stands for, freedom for all people.

Gay discrimination is based on the theory that all gays are only into sex with you, Mr. Straightman. If that theory were ascribed to male heterosexuals, then there would be no military.

I have found that given the chance, people will strive and excel. Do you realize that gays are already flying our commercial aircraft, are chefs in the restaurants you patronize, they teach your children, and perform untold charitable events, just like you Mr. Straightman.

This is the 21st century, and time to rethink past prejudices.

Secondly, homosexuals are less likely to have spouses and children, therefore they are cheaper for the army employ — they need not be provided with family benefits or family housing. I find it appalling that good American men and women are forced to leave their families for long periods to serve in Iraq and Afghanistan. Yes, they knew what they were signing up for and are willing to make the sacrifices, but their children certainly didn’t sign up for it!

Lastly, instead of punishing people that are “different” due to the intolerance of others, when are we going to go straight to the source and start punishing intolerance?

-”gays and lesbians can be accepted by their peers.”

Not a bright idea. Why don’t you ask their peers fool and get the straight answer. The moral in the military would go down considerably with many instances of gays getting pummeled.

The current policy isn’t broke so don’t go trying to fix it, you’ll only screw things up. Once they are let in, it’ll be a hell of a time getting the queers out when the policy failed, and it will. The current policy isn’t broke so don’t go trying to fix it, you’ll only screw things up.

Do I think we’ll be able to grow our forces without this change… not really.

–”And by the way, do we really think we’ll be able to grow our forces in any type of substantial way without this policy change?”

Come on now. While I fully support equal rights for all sexual orientations (including the option for military service), it is ridiculous to think that the number of gays joining the military will be greater than the number of (admittedly prejudiced) straight men who will refuse to join. To say that the loss is worth it for a fair and prejudice-free military program is arguable. But as a way to “grow our forces,” it makes no sense at all.