Tell: An Intimate History of Gay Men in the Military

[jetaimerai]

As "Don't Ask, Don't Tell" comes to an end, we sent Chris Heath to interview dozens of gay servicemen from the past and present to find out what life was really like as America's military struggled with its last great identity crisisBY CHRIS HEATH

Comments

[redstar826]

as a group, DADT actually affected women at greater rates than men.

these numbers are from an article written in 2008, but While women make up 14 percent of Army personnel, 46 percent of those discharged under the policy last year were women. And while 20 percent of Air Force personnel are women, 49 percent of its discharges under the policy last year were women.

http://www.nytimes.com/2008/06/23/washington/23pentagon.html

[serious_mccoy]

Aaand that is why I did not bother to join the Air Force even though I really wanted to. It doesn't matter how secretive you are- I've heard of cases where people purposefully tried to find out someone's orientation as a ways to get back at them in the military.

sexual harassment and dadt

[redstar826]

I wish I can remember where I read it, but a while back I read an article that talked about how dadt was used against women who complained about sexual harassment.

[serious_mccoy]

Really worth reading. So many people think DADT isn't an issue as long as you don't go out of your way to mention your orientation, but it's just not that simple and safe for all. And then still so many other people think gay and lesbian people in the military will be way too distracted by all the naked soldiers to do their job- oh, fuck off. These are grown-ass men and women we're talking about. It's nice to see that quote in particular (Marines #2), since I've long rolled my eyes over the idea that we would somehow go braindead and useless in the presence of an attractive member of the same sex.

[romp]

Granted, it was just one article but an article from 2009--Straight Guys Tell--made me think DADT was dead. It was an optimistic read with a great bit about the writer nervously hanging out at a food court at Fort Lewis and unable to find anyone who was anti-queer.

And, re above, I've heard the worst stories of rape and harassment of women who are queer or perceived to be. The should have been in the article. Guess they don't exist in GQland.

[onanemptyshore]

Slightly off topic: A friend of mine is helping some conservative christian friends deal with their bisexuality. Does anyone have any links to sites/stories detailing bi women coming to terms with themselves?

[magus_69]

I have found a few

[onanemptyshore]

Thank you so much for your help! I'll pass these along to her.