As a BI vet, I can say that Gays and BIs have always been in the military service since the begining of history, and most serving well and as distinguished as any other man or woman, and YES...heros many times over. My great uncle (a closeted Gay at the time)
served in WWII and survived the 1942 Bataan Death
March.
He and his partner joined the Army together, and they
were together during the march. His partner didn't make it, unfortunately.
It has always been a few (from both sides...Gay and Straight), who have always caused the problems. Some of these Gays were very out, flaunting it, and being very obnoxious and embarrassing to the other closeted Gays and BIs, who were being good military men and women and doing their jobs, and doing them well along with all the other personnel.
Some, Gay or not, did it just to get out of the service and no one liked them. Straights, who caused the problems for Gays and BIs, I believe had problems of their own. Extreme religious beliefs caused some to do the things they did...start fights, bullying, and anonymously turning people in.
Gays and BIs were there when I was serving (I was a closeted BI), doing their jobs well and some even dying
(heros or not...all who give their lives in the military are HEROS to me)...and they will always be present in
the military service all over the world....doing their jobs
and doing them well. Gays and BIs have worked, fought, and slept, ate, and died side by side..in ships,
fox holes, mud, jungles and deserts, dodged the same
bullets and survived being prisoners of war. Many of them GAVE THEIR LIVES for their fellow men, women, friends and buddies.
.
I SALUTE them all!
I am glad that this law is now signed, sealed and delivered. But, Law or no Law, Gays and BIs will still be there...so the law will not make some things any different. There will always be those who will be against them serving, no matter what. But, the
law WILL make it possible for Gays and BIs (or even some who are not) to relax and not have to worry about being "outed" (rightly or wrongly) and turned out of the service as "undesirables"...sometimes through false and trumped up charges brought up against them by those who wish to get rid of them. This, no matter if they have abilities that are needed (think translators, for one)...or have otherwise been exceptional military men and women who have been bestowed with the highest of honors.
CONGRATULATIONS to the USA for making this terrible wrong...right!
Let's us just hope that the harrasment will stop, the law will be enforced, and those who were drummed out, will be given help...and not hindered...in rejoining, if they wish.
And, may I add...that there will be no Gays or BIs that will flaunt this new law and continue to be obnoxious. Serve and serve well...as a person...and leave your sexual side to off time and in private, and
that goes for the Straights as well...:biggrin:
