are there any gay soldiers in Iraq? - Democratic Underground

skjpm

(1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore

Sun Jul-13-03 11:51 PM
Original message

are there any gay soldiers in Iraq?

Just wondering. You have to admire any gay soldiers who choose to stay in rather than get out--but will people realize now that it's not an issue? Apparently, 5-10,000 are there, fighting alongside the straight soldiers, and so far, it hasn't erupted into masses amounts of soap being dropped.

Printer Friendly | Permalink | | Top

WindRavenX

(1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore

Sun Jul-13-03 11:53 PM
Response to Original message

1. I'm sure there are tons of Freepers

who think that gays should not serve in the military.
Personally, I don't give a damn what their orientation is- they want to sign up, fine...it's their choice.

Printer Friendly | Permalink | | Top

MercutioATC

(1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore

Mon Jul-14-03 12:07 AM
Response to Original message

2. Dude, don't ask, don't tell...

I have NO doubt that there are gays serving in Iraq. I also have NO doubt that they're every bit as committed as anybody else to seeing this situation resolved.

GLBT in the military (or anyplace else) is a total non-issue. I'm just ashamed that "don't ask, don't tell" is the best we can do towards recognizing that.

Printer Friendly | Permalink | | Top

jiacinto

(1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore

Mon Jul-14-03 12:19 AM
Response to Original message

3. Probably

And here is one question: Why would a gay soldier hit on a straight one in the military, given the fact that he/she would have his/her ass kicked on the spot?

Printer Friendly | Permalink | | Top

Catch22Dem

(1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore

Mon Jul-14-03 12:24 AM
Response to Reply #3

5. There is no question

There are MANY gay soldiers serving in Iraq. This is a fact.

Carlos, I wouldn't say that. If a gay soldier had hit on me or any of my comrades when we were all active duty, we wouldn't have kicked his ass. We were certain one of our co-workers was gay. We liked him a lot. He was a hell of a guy. Of course we never asked him and he never told us, but we never singled him out or anything. He was at all the parties, we went to the desert together. He ended up getting out in about '99 I think. Then again, I surrounded myself with like-minded people. So, I guess compared to the masses, we were pretty progressive.

Printer Friendly | Permalink | | Top

OrdinaryTa

(1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore

Mon Jul-14-03 12:54 AM
Response to Reply #3

6. Stranger Things Have Happened

The late 60's and early 70's brought us the curious phenomenon of rough-tough GI's returning from the 'Nam who didn't fight back when they were spat on. I'm a little skeptical about this myself, but there are more than a few people who believe it's literally true. Maybe the experience of overseas combat teaches one the serenity to forgive one's attackers. The Far East is very big on allowing things to happen, they say.

Printer Friendly | Permalink | | Top

dsc

(1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore

Mon Jul-14-03 12:23 AM
Response to Original message

4. In point of fact

there may well be violaters of Don't Ask Don't Tell in Iraq as I type. In Gulf War I several soldiers tried to avoid going by stating they were gay or lesbian. The got sent to Iraq, fought in the war, and then got discharged. There was a stop loss order in effect so my assumption is that the exact same policy is being followed now. Plus as others said there are the normal DADT following soldiers there always are.

Printer Friendly | Permalink | | Top

DU AdBot (1000+ posts)

Thu May 02nd 2024, 12:38 AM
Response to Original message

Advertisements [?]

Top

Powered by DCForum+ Version 1.1 Copyright 1997-2002 DCScripts.com
Software has been extensively modified by the DU administrators

Important Notices: By participating on this discussion board, visitors agree to abide by the rules outlined on our Rules page. Messages posted on the Democratic Underground Discussion Forums are the opinions of the individuals who post them, and do not necessarily represent the opinions of Democratic Underground, LLC.