Military Base Raises Gay Pride Flag

[silent299]

CFB Edmonton 1st base to raise gay pride flag [http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/edmonton/story/2013/06/07/edmonton-garrison-pride-flag.html]

So this week, a Canadian military base hoisted the gay pride flag, and is leaving it there for the duration of pride week. The story seems to be a breath of fresh air and a show of reason and tolerance, especially due to all the controversy over LGBT members being able to serve in the American military. I must say, as a Canadian (and as a military member myself) its nice to see that we are not only tolerant, but proud of the fact that the military does not discriminate based on sexual orientation, or any other basis. ie: socioeconomic status, race, religion, etc.

However, I think that this kind of thing does set a very interesting precedent. The military has just opened themselves up to all kinds of different lobby groups, by actively supporting one of them. Does this mean that other groups who feel that they are being discriminated against deserve to have their own demonstrations on a military base?

Curious to see what the Escapist thinks about this. While I believe that the military should welcome diversity, I can see the potential for some backlash.

Thoughts?

 

[Erttheking]

http://christopherking.ca/blog/wp-content/uploads/2010/11/Remembrance-day-2010-Chris-King-05562.jpg

Hey, that's a flag that I'll salute to. It really is a nice change of events.

 

[Johnny Novgorod]

Man, Canadians are such nice people. What is it about them?

 

[KoudelkaMorgan]

Its nice to see soldiers finally get it up for gays. Flags! Get the flags up. On their poles.

Flagpoles!

I'm sure there was much fist pumping over this civil rights victory in Canada.

Did that sound like a Scott Thompson bit?

Seriously though, good news.

 

[Kolby Jack]

*reads topic title* Wha? That's a pretty interesting and somewhat political stance for an American military base to take!

*opens topic* Oh. It's just a Canadian military base. Man, nobody is surprised when Canada does something progressive. Hell, it's practically expected.

 

[Devil's Due]

I agree with allowing homosexuals into the military and treating them fully equal. However, I disagree with raising flags such as this. This makes sense that the Canadian military would do it and not the American military simply because the American military is not allowed to show ANY allegiance to any issue while in uniform. We are not allowed to go in uniform to a demonstration, for example, regardless what it's about. We are required to be utterly detached from showing any political opinion so that it does not cause any controversy in our ranks and allowing us to fully serve our current civilian government officials.

This would never fly in the U.S. and for good reason. We just cannot show our support for anything publicly like that. As long as the uniform is on, we represent the entire military.

 

[Tanis]

Next maybe they can raise the 'anti-rape' flag.

Seeing as how much rape going on in the military, and then is 'hushed' by an unfair system.

 

[Albino Boo]

I think its a bad idea, the military should remain apolitical. The only flag that should be raised on a base is that of the nation or unit. Its not the job of the armed forces to publicly agree or disagree with government policy. They should only implement the legal orders of the duly elected government without comment.

 

[Thaluikhain]

Good idea, I think, but I don't expect much of anything to come of it.

 

[piinyouri]

I agree with the people who are saying it's not the military's place to comment on social/political issues.

I mean, personally I think it's great. More power to them, but some part of me just feels this is...weird.

 

[thenageone]

if a group believes that having the military showing their support for said group will bring them closer to the goal of something like equality, more power to them.

that being said, i believe that any group needs the support of the military about as much as they need the support from their postal workers. its all well and good them promoting the group but what does it actually accomplish?

 

[ThreeName]

"We're basically hired killers, but at least we let gay people in!"

Yeah, no, I'm with "Keep the military out of politics". I actually think it's pretty fucked up; the military is to do with the nation and nothing else.

I understand the need to show acceptance of openly gay soldiers, but flying a flag that isn't the nation's flag is just wrong.

 

[Da Orky Man]

I half expected to see this flying:

Would have been a news story worth some hype.

 

[Hero in a half shell]

Homosexual men in the military? It's a travesty! An outrage!

I'll let a real military general explain why:

 

[shootthebandit]

I half expected to see this flying:

Would have been a news story worth some hype.

I think that flag is pretty cool. Anyway america has the most homosexual sounding flag anyway (star spangled banner) if that doesnt sound gay enough already then i dont know what does

Personally i dont give a fuck if you want to be gay then be gay, if you want to be straight then be straight, if you want to be bisexual then be bisexual. Im not one to judge how you get your rocks off

 

[shootthebandit]

Homosexual men in the military? It's a travesty! An outrage!

I'll let a real military general explain why:

That is fantastic. How many soldiers lives is one gay man worth? SEVEN!

it made me laugh how precise he was. The onion do some fantastic parodies of real events

 

[DANEgerous]

Does this mean that other groups who feel that they are being discriminated against deserve to have their own demonstrations on a military base? ... Thoughts?

well no. You see that statement has a hidden caveat in it is groups who feel they are being discriminated against not ones who actually are discriminated against at least not by this action.

This is the core of why anti-gay groups are wrong it is even at the core of what discrimination is. Letting gays in the military in in no way shape or form discrimination it is literally the opposite of discrimination as baring gays the military is discrimination. If you feel discriminated against because someone has a pride flag well that is to fucking bad you are not discriminated against at all what you are is a moron.