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Question for our gay members

OscarB63

OscarB63

Farts in Elevators
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In one of the myriad DADT threads I made the following comment:

"seems the ones that are most vocal about getting "the right to serve" are those least likely to want to serve."

my question is:

how many of you would join the military if DADT were repealled tomorrow. (assume for the sake of arguement that you are physically able and between the ages of 17 and 42)
 
I am not gay, but something I have been told by gays is that many of them view military service as a way to acceptance by society.
 
Redress said:
I am not gay, but something I have been told by gays is that many of them view military service as a way to acceptance by society.
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hmm really? to me the military was not about me but about how I could serve my country. just sayin. :shrug:
 
I have seriously considered it. My great grandfather served in the Navy. My grandfather served in the Navy. My uncle served in the Navy. It seems kind of sad that the tradition ends with me but my family does not want me to serve with the current policy. We talked about it and the reality is I'm not the only person who would have to be on guard and not lie, they too would have to be vigilant. It also would have been nice to have the military help me pay for my education, but student loans do the trick.
 
ReverendHellh0und said:
hmm really? to me the military was not about me but about how I could serve my country. just sayin. :shrug:
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That assumes there can be only a single motive for doing something.
 
Redress said:
That assumes there can be only a single motive for doing something.
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I was going to say the same. The "duties of citizens" versus "rights of the individual" has been an ongoing theme in American history. Whether military service is an act of conformity or individuality probably doesn't matter that much.
 
CriticalThought said:
I have seriously considered it. My great grandfather served in the Navy. My grandfather served in the Navy. My uncle served in the Navy. It seems kind of sad that the tradition ends with me but my family does not want me to serve with the current policy. We talked about it and the reality is I'm not the only person who would have to be on guard and not lie, they too would have to be vigilant. It also would have been nice to have the military help me pay for my education, but student loans do the trick.
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would you do it if they repealed DADT? ie, If you could serve openly would you?
 
Redress said:
That assumes there can be only a single motive for doing something.
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I don't view the reason as promoting the cause of correcting a social injustice a valid reason. People go in, get trained to kill and break things, if your motives is to affect "Acceptence" as a reason for your service, your head may not be in the game.


And I don't care where a service member sticks thier junk. :shrug:
 
OscarB63 said:
would you do it if they repealed DADT? ie, If you could serve openly would you?
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I'm not sure. That is a huge decision and not one to be made lightly. If I served I probably would not bring up my sexual orientation. It isn't anyone's business unless I want them to know and it would have nothing to do with why I was there or whatever job I needed to do.
 
ReverendHellh0und said:
I don't view the reason as promoting the cause of correcting a social injustice a valid reason. People go in, get trained to kill and break things, if your motives is to affect "Acceptence" as a reason for your service, your head may not be in the game.


And I don't care where a service member sticks thier junk. :shrug:
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Part of my motivation for joining was I was unemployed and needed a job. Was my "head in the game"?
 
Redress said:
Part of my motivation for joining was I was unemployed and needed a job. Was my "head in the game"?
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My way back mind reading contraption device is in the shop. I'll have to get back to you on that one. :pimpdaddy:



But a guess, you had a need, you saw an opportunity, weighed it's full impact on your life and made an educated decision.


You didn't see an opportunity to foment social activism within society. I think that's a little different.
 
CriticalThought said:
I'm not sure. That is a huge decision and not one to be made lightly. If I served I probably would not bring up my sexual orientation. It isn't anyone's business unless I want them to know and it would have nothing to do with why I was there or whatever job I needed to do.
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It's how things pretty much are. if you don't make your service about your genitalia, no one really cares.
 
Redress said:
I am not gay, but something I have been told by gays is that many of them view military service as a way to acceptance by society.
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Could you add a poll.
 
I briefly considered joining the military while I was still in high school. I had a recruiter come to my house and everything. I eventually decided not to as I have ultimately a problem with authority. I don't know whether it's a mental issue with me or what, but I honestly don't think I would mesh well with the military. I have nothing but respect for those who can, though. The only thing that got a bit annoying was the fact that it was very hard to get the recruiters to stop calling and trying to intimidate me over the phone. I suppose that is their job, though.
 
ReverendHellh0und said:
My way back mind reading contraption device is in the shop. I'll have to get back to you on that one. :pimpdaddy:



But a guess, you had a need, you saw an opportunity, weighed it's full impact on your life and made an educated decision.


You didn't see an opportunity to foment social activism within society. I think that's a little different.
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Wanting to serve is not activism. Wanting to serve your country, and from doing so gaining some acceptance you don't feel you have is not activism.
 
Dr_Patrick said:
I briefly considered joining the military while I was still in high school. I had a recruiter come to my house and everything. I eventually decided not to as I have ultimately a problem with authority. I don't know whether it's a mental issue with me or what, but I honestly don't think I would mesh well with the military. I have nothing but respect for those who can, though. The only thing that got a bit annoying was the fact that it was very hard to get the recruiters to stop calling and trying to intimidate me over the phone. I suppose that is their job, though.
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Yer gay? ;)
 
American said:
Could you add a poll.
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No, though if the OP wants to make a new thread with a poll, I could merge this one into that one I think.
 
Redress said:
Wanting to serve is not activism. Wanting to serve your country, and from doing so gaining some acceptance you don't feel you have is not activism.
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Personal acceptance or gay peoples acceptance? Maybe I misunderstood you.
 
ReverendHellh0und said:
Well the things you learn after years of knowin a feller. :mrgreen:
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I don't really wear it on my sleeve, so it's understandable to be surprised about it. ;)
If I leaned further one way or another, it's definitely more towards heterosexuality. I adore women too much.
 
I would not join the army if the ban was lifted (short of a draft). However, I would donate blood frequently if that restriction was lifted.

I am a thinker, not a fighter. ;)
 
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