Hot Seat: Gays in the Military

Hey if a gay person wants to go out and expose himself to a stream of machine gun bullets, bombs, land mines and wear those sexy uniforms then I say go for it. Besides what else would strike fear into our enemies more than the prospect of being swatted on the face with a designer purse or even worse being captured by a roving band of gay American soldiers. "Tie that big brute up", "oh these boots are just killing me", "No the other end is where the bullet comes out, you big silly".... need I go on?
The English Navy has a proud tradition of being light hearted and gay so why should America be so "up tight"? Besides letting gays openly serving in the military would bring on a new recruiting angle for the Military. I can just see the Ad Posters now, "Hey We May Be A Little Queer But We're Not Sissies." or " We Attack From The Rear" or " We're The Bold And The Beautiful". Get the message?

I know a few gay men that would be great in the military. Just because a person is gay doesn't mean they can't serve thier country by protecting it

Hilarious, Joe. I have no problem with gays in the military, but the "don't ask, don't tell" rule was implimented for a reason. Blatant homosexuality would wreak havoc unimaginable that most civilians can't understand.

Your voting options are always so limited. How about a yes, with separate billeting. The same way men and women shouldn't be allowed in same bunks, neither should men have to billet with men or women with women if there is a same sex sitution. Everything is not yes or no. Be fair to those serving and if accommodations can't be provided, then no.
A VETERAN

This ban has resulted in a large number of very talented gays being kicked out of the service just because they were gay, some of them were in the medical field and several were much needed translators in Iraq -- not exactly ground troops. There are rules in the military codes against sex of any kind among unmarried military personnel on base or in a military action this SHOULD be sufficient control over the sex lives of our military men and women

What an ironic question, when there is already tons of gay men in the military. If you go to any gay bar in Norfolk, most of the crowd is military men. I have even met a transgender women that use to be in the military and her benefits paid for her breast implants!

I'm hoping Joe's comments above are tongue-in-cheek. All tasteless jokes aside, the most kick-ass, take-no-prisoners army in the world, the Israeli Army, has long welcomed gay members to serve. So have the Brits. So has Canada. So has virtually every European NATO army. All without any disruption whatsoever. "Don't Ask Don't Tell" was, perhaps, a necessary bridge to getting to full acceptance, but it requires both troops and commanders to live a lie, and this hypocrisy causes way more disruption than the actual reality of getting down to accepting people for who they are. Gay men and women have a great deal to offer. For example, the Army is desperately short of qualified language experts and translators, but at the same time discharged or rejected hundreds of qualified translators because of their sexual orientation. How ridiculous is that. If any American wants to serve their country, they should be welcomed and encouraged, and sexual orientation should have nothing to do with it.

Every man in uniform needs to know the man next to him is able to give BLOOD if the need arrises. Raise your hand if you want the gay guys blood.

Women are allowed in the military. What's the difference?

Being gay has to do with sexual orientation, not how well one can perform the task at hand.

Obviously, those who think it is okay have never spent a day in the military. Please shut up if you have no clue what you are talking about. I was never a babysitter for a gay servicemember but I know that if I had one in my squad protecting them would be a full time job instead of defending our country.

wow joe, what an intelligent comment.

I have to laugh when I look at the map. Only Mississippi say's NO. I guess an education for the people of Mississippi is something they've missed along the way.

I think the fact that everyone's so ignorant is a little problem. For one, even gays who are open aren't always flamboyantly open. If you can be openly straight in the military, then you should be able to be openly gay.

I really don't understand why this country is so anti-homosexuality. So much oppression of our own people, and then we call other countries terrorists.

no they should stay home and never show there face no whereand pray that god well help them stay away from the real men

If this ban would effect those caught in the upcoming draft, as well as those who volunteer, I'd tell me neighbor's kid to wear a pink bra to the draft board.
AND YES; THE DRAFT IS COMING.
McCain said he would reinstate it if elected.

Interesting take on this from a gay man.
I totally salute any gay man or woman for still choosing to serve the country that to this day
discriminates in many areas against them. Who better
to represent this country then someone who sees past
the politico to help ensure that AMERICA remains free
even at their own expense.

Alexander the Great who had one of the biggest empires of all time (which included present-day Iraq) and one of the most stragegic military leaders was known to be gay. We also have to only look at the Isralei Military who doesn't have any policy on gays whatsoever and functions pretty well.

Sure, they should be given a chance to defend their country just like everyone else. I hope they don't think that is going to improve their rights though. It doesn't seem to work for anyone else. Maybe if the are allowed to be put in classes, they will get better treatment? Who knows?

Joe, I'm gay, and I don't know any effeminate homosexuals. I do however have a neighbor who is married with five children and seems to everyone on the court as a flameing queen. Go figure?