Is allowance for homosexuality in the DoD leading to an increase in assaults?

CSM Christopher Irwin — Sat, 25 Oct 2014 00:07:22 -0400

I preface my question to the forum with this…I care neither what you do behind the doors of your house, nor with whom you do it regarding sexual intimacy; the deity on which you lay your religious beliefs, your leanings politically, or what you believe regarding anything that has no place in the work environment. I care so little, in fact that I think the Army consistently focusing on people’s difference has a direct correlation to the amount of EO complaints we contend with today. If we are to be truly equal, we must stop bring our differences up throughout the entire year.
In the past eight months of command, I have seen an increase of same-sex sexual assaults. Some of the subjects reveal during the investigation that the victim was putting off "vibes" that the subject took as being favorable and in some cases, allege as "wanting" the action (assault, fondling, rape, etc.). What are your thoughts regarding the recent allowance for people being allowed to be openly homosexual and have you noticed an increase of reported incidents of same-sex sexual assaults in your foot-prints? Again, I personally DON'T CARE about a person's actions behind the closed doors of their house. Is it possible however, that recent changes in the DoD that allow for the minority to force the majority of Soldiers to accept their lifestyle also contributes to the recent uptick in same-sex sexual assaults?
I don’t post often but request candid an open dialog; while my personal beliefs are not in line with the current policy, I respect people’s decision to do what they will on their off-time as it relates to who they are intimate with.
Your thoughts?

Response by LTC Private RallyPoint Member made Oct 25 at 2014 12:15 AM

LTC Private RallyPoint Member — Sat, 25 Oct 2014 00:15:18 -0400

CSM Christopher Irwin I have served with Soldiers who were open prior to and after it being acceptable by military regulations. I have had no issues or increase in sexual assaults due to the change in policy. I am fortunate enough to have no such issues and really think that if you put it out in your command that sexual harassment and EO violations will not be tolerated and that you personally will go after someone to the full extent of the law and you hold to it your problems will be less than those who are disengaged and sit back. Obviously there is also a huge difference between active and reserve components as there is only a short amount of time to monitor and enforce regulations and less time for violations to occur vs. active component when it is 24/7 environment.

Response by SSgt Private RallyPoint Member made Oct 25 at 2014 12:33 AM

SSgt Private RallyPoint Member — Sat, 25 Oct 2014 00:33:39 -0400

CSM Christopher Irwin I am sick of the hyperbole that elevates differences to the point of insanity. A whole industry around the poor that helps mostly middle men and scammers and for the churches who feed the hungry and in many cases housing get little credit except people wanting what they want.

I am so sick of outsiders portraying the military as particularly offensive in regard to sexual situations. But then again, look over the fascination with the Jody Arias, Casey Anthony and Amanda Knox. Guys think they are beautiful and the controversy over sex seems to be largely prurient and deviant and I am not talking about sexual orientation as much as the voyeuristic underpinnings of a bunch of perverts. Again not orientation but the obsessiveness of the topic.

Response by MSG Private RallyPoint Member made May 9 at 2016 11:02 AM

MSG Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 09 May 2016 11:02:45 -0400

I'm not of the mindset that one chooses his or her sexual orientation. As one cousin once asked me "Why the f*** would I choose this when I know my very family would disown me?" (Conservative Catholic family who got over it once he came out, they are over it now and went to his wedding). As such if someone assaults me because I have brown skin, that's not on me, that's on my assailant. I suggest taking a Freakonomics way of looking at it. Is it the acceptance of homosexuals in the military or a change in enlistment standards in regards to criminal backgrounds? Are assailants suffering from PTSD and dealing with anger and aggression issues?

The subjects revealing that the victim was putting off "vibes" ... What damage did the "vibe" cause the subject that initiated the attack? That's a bulls*** excuse to assault someone based on the assailants bigotry.