It's official.

ruboos · 2011-07-24T06:14:10+00:00

Soldier of 6 years here. I can tell you that every gay/lesbian person I had the pleasure of being friends with while I served in the Army is jumping for joy. However, there are still a few hurdles to be jumped before any tangible sort of equity is achieved.

The DOMA is the next great obstacle in the path to equality in the military. Until the Federal Government is capable of recognizing same-sex, legal unions (call it marriage or civil union, whatever you prefer), g/l are being short changed. And not just in matters of money. There are also rights and responsibilities available and pursuant to hetero couples that g/l couples are excluded from. Rights like medical care, legal services, survivor benefits, on post shopping, to name a few. Responsibilities, such as community care, unit cohesion, recognition at ceremonies and military functions, etc. The military resources that are currently available to hetero couples will be opened up to same-sex couples once the DOMA is repealed.

I have also had the displeasure to meet quite a few people in the military who had a negative attitude towards those who practice a differing form of love from them. There are many bigots, openly and vociferously bigoted people who traverse the many paths in the military. We all know these people exist. Whether it's the average white male camouflaged in fake, white-knight feminism or the idiot in the background claiming that women can't* perform combat duties as well as men, they all share the common idea that openly homosexual people serving in the military will ruin unit cohesion and combat effectiveness. They claim that homosexuality in the ranks will negate any force multiplier a team may utilize in the field. The success of other military units around the world who have no compunctions about serving with gays and lesbians should be taken into consideration here. The negative light that combat units see homosexual people in has got to go.

Those are just two ideas I've been kicking around for a while. It's a shame that anyone could be excluded from serving in the military. I'm not trying to ride an inflated ego or anything, but serving in the Army is one of the proudest memories I have. Why should we exclude someone from that experience just because they are into people of their own sex? We're about to lose that compunction, thanks to this amendment to Federal Service guidelines. But this is just the first step, and we need to keep pushing strong on MR military issues to help those who are still being discriminated against in our armed services. Sorry for the rant, this is something that I believe strongly in, so I feel it is extremely important. Thanks to kloo for posting this.

edit: *or shouldn't

wonkifier · 2011-07-24T05:50:23+00:00

Excellent! I wonder if those who were dishonorably discharged previously will have an actionable case now for the restoration of their benefits...

egalitarianism · 2011-07-24T05:55:46+00:00

Before everyone celebrates, please understand that the policy excluding transgender people from military service remains firmly in place.

This is not a victory for egalitarianism.

ballhardergetmoney · 2011-07-24T01:00:38+00:00

Not just a men's rights issue.

otakuman · 2011-07-24T05:17:55+00:00

Yay!

Zombie_Lover · 2011-07-24T05:34:28+00:00

This. Is. FABULOUS!!!

djrollsroyce · 2011-07-24T07:24:52+00:00

Glad to see /mensrights is as gay friendly as the rest of reddit and not homophobic like /feminism would claim.

shady8x · 2011-07-24T14:09:43+00:00

This is great news. Everyone should have equal access to opportunities.

thingsarebad · 2011-07-24T21:40:53+00:00

But now I can't claim I'm gay to avoid the draft. :(

At least gay men can die in war like straight men, right? Meanwhile lesbian women will be just as protected as straight women in the military.

What a victory!

papajohn56 · 2011-07-24T08:28:29+00:00

BO's signature looks like multiple penises - lol. Just noticed.

enkidusfriend · 2011-07-24T12:29:26+00:00

Well done.

EducatedBlackMan · 2011-07-24T17:52:48+00:00

So you're supporting those fucking child killers now? Kloo2yoo you make me fucking sick. I hope your sex life stays stagnant and a woman cuts your cock off someday. You deserve worse you fucking pedophile.

Benny_the_Jew · 2011-07-24T16:33:30+00:00

This is so gay.

Ghstfce · 2011-07-24T06:15:59+00:00

Secretary of Defense, Y U no write date correctly? 21 July 2011!!!

Title	It's official.
Author	kloo2yoo
Upvotes	143
Comments	46
Date	July 24, 2011 12:41 AM UTC (15 years ago)
Subreddit	Posted in /r/MensRights
Original Link	https://old.reddit.com/r/MensRights/comments/iy19t/its_official/
Archive Link	https://theredarchive.com/r/MensRights/its-official.1036817 https://theredarchive.com/post/1036817

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