Why We Can (Partially) Thank the Military for American Gay Identity

SSG Shavonde Chase This is one opinion, it differs from mine and many others. As MSG (Join to see) has stated, so long as your choices don't interfere with your work performance I don't care. A caveat to that and I feel the same about religion, don't force your views or choices on me. If you want me to respect your choices you have to respect mine as well.

I agree with the others, I don't give a hoot about your sexual orientation as long as you do your job and don't force your view on others.

The military is used to being the social proving ground for the most controversial causes and programs. The irony, once the military develops the programs and training that work, the civilian structure eagerly embraces and implements.

Segregation of the military to prove white and minority could live in a cohesive, cohabiting environment is a classic example. If they could fight side by side and depend on each to stay alive, it should have been a relatively easy transition. It really was not, however, because of the Uniform Code of Military Justice and the strict compliance of this code, resistance was minimal. As a result, it took less time to stabilize and become acceptable, than if attempted in the much larger, less strict civilian structure. Minority opportunities for education, job training, recognition of accomplishment, and competitive advancement as enlisted or officers, far exceeded our civilian counterparts for many years, and I believe the military is still the leader in setting the standard for equal opportunity.

Sexual Harassment and equal opportunity for women was another area where the military was the forefront in developing training programs and instituting strict rules to be followed in the workforce.

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Acceptance of Gays in the civil sector has increased considerably in the last ten years. Military acceptance and proving gays can and do serve without controversy and with dignity, has again been in the forefront as the social proving ground for gays serving in the military increasing awareness and acceptance in the civilian sector.

As goes the military, so goes the civilian sector.