Gay in the army?

[Tab]

Takes all the fun from going out to roll a queer

[marzipanglue]

I wouldn't want to make a big issue out of it and i certainly wouldn't want to sue the army for homophobia or anything. i just want to do something i'd enjoy and could make a career out of, i'm glad to see not everyone hates queers but to be honest i'm not a big fan either. i don't mind gays but hate the mincing queens, i wouldn't say i was overtly gay and i have a "hopefully" long tyerm boyfriend so wouldn't be looking to turn any other recruits. I just wanted to know how much abuse i was in for really, i wouldn't mind being refered to as a faggot for being l;ast in some exercise cause i'm used to that sort of talk at work now. A friend of mine always refers to me as a stinking faggot anyways so i don't think verbal abuse would bother me too much, but i dunno till i get into that sort of situation. I think i'm mainly just more scared of the physical abuse i might recieve?

Sorry if that makes no sense, i've just got in for a night out and i'm slightly worse for wear. i really appreciate all the feedback tho.

[gunner75]

It would be a idea not to broadcast it as squaddie life is more close knit and not as tolerant to that sort of thing than in civvy street.
Just dont mince around the mess hall like John Ingman or strut around the gym like Larry 'ooh shut that door' Grayson and you'll be fine

[billy_bob]

Join the Navy lots of gay men in der, i knew couple of bi sexual guys in the marines, they were good laugh, and stayed focused at training, and not on us straight guys.

[harry hackedoff]

I`d like to thank the last two posters for their insight

Times change, people move on. You will certainly encounter homophobic prejudice (as I`m sure you do now) and the way to counter that, isn`t to ring gay pride or woteva, it`s to show that you are at least as capable as your colleagues at your job.
That`s how I see it, that`s my honest advice. Am I in favour of beefers serving? Who cares what I think?
It`s a fact of life.
What ever you choose, good luck with it

[marzipanglue]

lol, i wouldn't want to join the navy. The army is the only force that really appeals except maybe becoming a marine but i'd never get through it. I would say i'm pretty straight acting.

When people say don't broadcast it do you mean lie and pretend i'm straight or tell people i'm gay and leave it at the, never go into details or bring it up? Cause i dunno if i could manage lying constantly.

[Hyperlithe]

If you're asked, there's no harm in being honest, but it's not usually something that people ask directly!
I spent 9 weeks on my basic training sharing a room with a bunch of girls, one of whom I've since discovered isn't interested in blokes, and I had no idea at the time!

The other lads might get the idea when you don't plaster your locker in pictures of half-naked women though....

[harry hackedoff]

They mean get on with job and get off the soap box.
First thing I say to people when we meet isn`t "Hi, I`m hetero, is that an issue? Is it a problem?"
Tell us a bit more about where you are in the application process, have you even talked to your AFCO for instance?

[billy_bob]

when you get into training just make a note of telling your training team about it and say you want it under wraps, as you may get some dic* heads taking the piss out of you lad. The training team would be more supportive about it due to the whole bullying crap! Guy who i knew got some rip, tho he took it well and passout of training. But then again the army is all about being a family and if you can trust someone for being gay with you life then you shouldn't be their, if that makes sence.

[marzipanglue]

The first time around i go to the interview stage then backed out, did the BARB test and all, did really well actually. i haven't made any steps so far this time around cause i'm just looking into it, i have no idea what i'd want to do if i joined but might if my interest keeps up i'll go back to the AFCO see what they say, have a chat etc.

[Airborne Legend]

Looks like you're getting the same advice off everyone mate, don't make it a issue. It looks like you're pretty switched on to the fact that you're (unfortunately) always going to get some stick off he morons but like you say that's the same as civvy street anyway. I think the most important thing for you to remember is that above everything else in the forces you are judged on your ability to do your job. If you're a keen, proffessional, switched on guy, that'll go a long way to overriding anything people can say about you. But of course the flip side of that is that should you f*ck up it'll no doubt be because you're gay!


Good luck to you mate and ignore the muppts.

[SO19]

Well, you know my opinion and I'll happily be a 'muppet' if I get to keep it. Thanks Guardian readers.

Lifting the ban was never something the Ministry of Defence encouraged or wanted, it was leglislation forced through by New Labour because the European Court of Human Right's deemed the ban unlawful.

In fact, in 1999, "Two surveys have disclosed that the overwhelming majority of those in military service today find homosexuality abhorrent. They resent the rejection of their opinion as valueless and question how far this form of change will lead. Are transsexuals and transvestites to be admitted?"

Well, we now know what the answer to the last question would be.





Nice teddy.

[Airborne Legend]

Well I'm quite happy fo you to keep you opinion mate, no offense meant by the way, by muppets I meant those who would bully and another human being for something they have no control over, which I'm sure you aren't.
I've got no dramas with people being against this (and I read the Independant by the way!) it's only an issue if you make it one, like most things. End of the day, if you're good at your job you're an asset to the team, if not you should find other employment. Where you stick your knob has little to do with this.

[1664Kro]

Just don't apply for para's

[harry hackedoff]

What you and I feel about it counts for shite mate.
It`s here, it`s happening. It isn`t under the covers anymore.

Don`t like new labour? Get active and vote them out, then.