Military Base Raises Gay Pride Flag

[The_Scrivener]

Sad that this is a Canadian story. Unfortunately, Canada being a cultural live-and-let-live zone that looks out for its citizens is old news.

When Unfairica stops using obsolete belief in supernatural nonsense to persecute people like its the god damn middle ages, then I'll finally be impressed. Or at the very least, a little less depressed I live here.

 

[CrazyGirl17]

Well, good for them I guess. Wonder if anyone else will try this... (Salutes)

 

[Thaluikhain]

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.

This. Very important distinction between discrimination, and change that reduces someone else's discrimination while doing nothing for you.

 

[generals3]

I'm sorry but this kind of action is highly inappropriate. It's not up to the army to lobby for gay pride. (or any other socio-political cause)

 

[rasputin0009]

I think the military should stay apolitical, but I think this is riding a fine line. Sure, you could think that it's a political scheme, or you could think of it as the military being proud of the freedoms they protect. And since the military is criticized quite often of its handling of homosexual people, it's sometimes hard to believe that they haven't been political about it before.

On a sidenote, my brother-in-law is stationed at this exact base. He has been known to utter a homophobic slur once in a while, so hopefully he's learning something.

 

[Miyenne]

Equality is still an issue here in Canada, but at least we try harder. I'm always thankful I was lucky enough to be born in Canada.

I never make it out to any pride events either, and they're always so much fun.

But I do agree that the military shouldn't get involved in stuff like this, as much as I appreciate it. Unless they raise flags for cancer awareness and other such causes as well, then I think it would be fine.

Otherwise, as I keep saying; the only way to make people accept things like this are to stop pointing them out. If you make an issue (positive or negative) out of something it will be an issue that will attract opinions.

 

[silent299]

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.
We just cannot show our support for anything publicly like that. We can go walk in a gay pride march in civvies (regular civilian clothes) but not in uniform. As long as the uniform is on, we represent the entire military.

It's the same way here in Canada, that's why I said that there could be some backlash. Yes, we should be accepting and even supportive of it, but it sets a precedent for other minority groups within the military to ask that they be represented as well. Take religion for example; Muslim or Buddhist military members are quite rare compared to christian members, and some people might discriminate against them because of their religion. Now should the military put Buddhist temples on their bases, or stop for an hour of prayer in the middle of the day to accommodate those who follow Islam? I realize that all these minority groups serve in the military, as well as LGBT members, but as you said, taking sides and choosing to represent one more than another could result in some people getting very angry.

 

[silent299]

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.

I'm not implying that non-gays feel discriminated against because they don't have their own "straight pride flag" or some garbage like that. Like I said, I'm all for allowing gays in the military, and here in Canada, they have been allowed to serve openly since 1992. I work with a few guys who are gay at my unit, and they are some of my best friends. So yes, this is a progressive step forward. It seems to me like you're saying that gays are the only minority who are discriminated against, and the rest of them are just whiners. That's not at all what I meant.

Gays have been serving for over two decades in Canada, and I have never heard of an incident where a soldier/sailor/airmen was made fun of for their sexual orientation, its just something that most Canadians don't have a problem with. And yet they still raise the flag. Now what I'm saying is: If mistreatment of LGBT members of the Canadian military are already treated with dignity and respect, and have been allowed to serve openly for over 20 years, why now would a base decide to suddenly show an outpouring of support for that single minority group? You don't think that Muslim military members have been discriminated against in the past? What about Black members? Or hell, even French Canadian members serving on an English base?

I'm just saying, now that they've raised this flag, it gives other groups an excuse to start begging for representation, and while they SHOULD all be represented fairly, a military base is simply not the place to do it.

 

[sextus the crazy]

I half expected to see this flying:

Would have been a news story worth some hype.

Ditto. I was kinda hoping it would be 'Murica, because, well, 'Muirca. Still, good for the Canadians.

 

[Queen Michael]

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?

Speedy mail delivery, of course.

Anyway, I'm glad to see this. Their support is appreciated.

 

[freaper]

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

It's the cold fresh err...piny.. air?

Well, this is another +1 in my book. Looks like Canada really is a nice place to live.

 

[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.

I'm not implying that non-gays feel discriminated against because they don't have their own "straight pride flag" or some garbage like that. Like I said, I'm all for allowing gays in the military, and here in Canada, they have been allowed to serve openly since 1992. I work with a few guys who are gay at my unit, and they are some of my best friends. So yes, this is a progressive step forward. It seems to me like you're saying that gays are the only minority who are discriminated against, and the rest of them are just whiners. That's not at all what I meant.

Gays have been serving for over two decades in Canada, and I have never heard of an incident where a soldier/sailor/airmen was made fun of for their sexual orientation, its just something that most Canadians don't have a problem with. And yet they still raise the flag. Now what I'm saying is: If mistreatment of LGBT members of the Canadian military are already treated with dignity and respect, and have been allowed to serve openly for over 20 years, why now would a base decide to suddenly show an outpouring of support for that single minority group? You don't think that Muslim military members have been discriminated against in the past? What about Black members? Or hell, even French Canadian members serving on an English base?

I'm just saying, now that they've raised this flag, it gives other groups an excuse to start begging for representation, and while they SHOULD all be represented fairly, a military base is simply not the place to do it.

I agree with you I just thought the "other groups that feel discriminated against" as groups that feel discriminated due to the flag which is to say the people that would want a straight pride flag and what in America I would call the "Family Family Family organization for Family" which are the dogmatic morons that want to protect society from homosexuality because they think it is immoral.

 

[Heronblade]

I am of the opinion that military organizations should remain as far away from political affairs as possible, that includes making a statement like this.

Nevertheless, it is nice to see that the... attitude among our top level military personnel is not shared up north.

 

[Ryotknife]

I can appreciate the sentiment, but the military (especially the US military) should remain apolitical. Considering the sheer level of vitriol and hate between the left and right now, I don't want people in charge of weapons capable of destroying all life on earth getting sucked into that. Course, Canada doesn't have that problem.

Politics getting involved in the public sector creates.....problems.

 

[afroebob]

Well, I'm a am a VERY big fan of equality, I look at gay people the exact same way as strait when it comes to their worth as a human, there's nothing wrong with being gay, etc. etc. etc.

But I don't know if the military should be doing this. I mean this is far from a universal viewpoint on the topic and this is kind of making the military push its views on its own members... But its all meant with good intentions so I won't let it not cheer me up a little bit.

 

[Tom_green_day]

the American military is not allowed to show ANY allegiance to any issue while in uniform.

I agree with this. While it is good that the military base is showing support of gay pride, they are meant to be an unbiased group and this act reduces their credibility to me somewhat. To me, the only flag they should raise is the flag of their country.

 

[Albino Boo]

You gunna try and stop them?

In the unlikely event that a Canadian government is elected who policy is to reverse the decision is the Canadian army going to overturn the democratic expression of the people and impose by force, its own view?