Military Base Raises Gay Pride Flag

[KeyMaster45]

I think I've also read something about the US Navy trying to change it's "drunken sailor" image of old into a much more tolerable and professional image.

I wasn't aware they had such an image, then again I'm from a family where I am the only male relative to not join either the navy or air-force in 4 generations, so my perception of their reputation might be a bit skewed.

OT: That's great for the Canadian military, but I didn't think they had any kind of discriminatory practices that would require them to make such a showing. Like I said from a little earlier, I'm from a family with plenty of military background, so the general feeling is that your background is of little consequence when you join the ranks; believe me that rings true amongst my relatives who've joined with backgrounds from ex-con to preacher.

While I think it's a nice gesture, I don't think it's really something a military should be doing as it does sort of leave them open to being badgered by other groups who want the kind of attention that a military endorsement would bring, especially here in the states.

Of course the counter-argument to that is that the military is typically a reinforcement of societal gender roles, and all that other fun stuff that gives me a headache, so having them openly endorse gay rights could potentially be a paradigm shifting boom in the realm of die-hard prejudices.

 

[silent299]

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.

I agree with this 100%. I always laugh and shake my head whenever I see someone trying to make an actual argument against homosexuality. Looks like we were both trying to argue the same point, just in different ways.

It is interesting to see that many of the arguments made by the top brass in the US are still accepted as actual arguments. They say that gays in the military would undermine the overall effectiveness and cohesion, and they still use this "argument" in debates today. All you have to do is look at other countries' armed forces who allow LGBT members to serve, and you will see how obvious it is that it simply isn't true. They don't have any legitimate reason to not accept soldiers, they simply share their personal opinions about the subject. Its not the fault of the LGBT community if you are uneducated and scared. Its pathetic.

 

[Ihateregistering1]

I'm a veteran of the US Army, and I opposed "don't ask, don't tell" from the get-go and I was glad to see it go, but the Military (and I mean any country's Military, not just the US's) needs to remain apolitical, and should not be explicitly showing support for any particular demographic. The only flags that should be flying on base are the unit's colors and the flag of the country, period, end of story.

 

[ThreeName]

Was the hired killers comment really necessary?

Sorry, probably not. I've been reading a bit of modern history recently so I'm not exactly the best friend of armed forces. Plus I love some Bill Hicks and whenever gays in the military get brought up that bit always just jumps into my mind.

I'm sure Canada's military acts like Australia's a lot of the time and provides aid and shit, but I still can't get past all the other invasions.