Is homophobia really a big issue in the military?

2015-05-30T19:50:29-04:00

I'm very sensitive to gay bashing since I'm Pansexual. one of the things I notice is that LGBT rights have come up in more then a few threads but reading those threads it seems to me and I could be wrong that the general consent is "if they can complete the mission, who cares" and "what someone does in their bedroom isn't my business." So it seems to me the stereotype of military people being homophobic really doesn't seem to fit. What do you think?

Response by PO1 William "Chip" Nagel made May 30 at 2015 8:03 PM

2015-05-30T20:03:36-04:00

Not near as prevalent as when I served but I suspect that not what I would quite call welcoming either. It is a work in progress, an evolutinary step.

Response by Sgt Aaron Kennedy, MS made May 30 at 2015 8:05 PM

2015-05-30T20:05:28-04:00

Generational.

What's considered "normal" now, is not necessarily the same as 10 years ago, or 20, or 30 years ago.

Things have changed so much in the last few decades, that it's just hard to explain.

Go back and watch some old TV shows, and you can see subtle shifts in humor, and what is considered funny or not funny.

The progression of being gay, from openly gay, from closeted gay, etc will seem like a really odd thing in another 10 years, just like trying to explain different water fountains is a really hard concept to explain, because the concept is getting deeper into history.

Response by SFC Michael Hasbun made May 30 at 2015 9:50 PM

2015-05-30T21:50:15-04:00

Not really. It's a very weird environment. The same person making homophobic remarks will be the same person later on drinking, drawing penises all over the portajohn, teabagging his buddies, and "good gaming" everyone within 100 yards.. Not once will his irony meter go off... It's worse in line units. The military combat community has to be the most homoerotic environment on the planet, especially if alcohol or gambling is involved... then things get WEIRD..

Response by MAJ Robert (Bob) Petrarca made May 30 at 2015 10:17 PM

2015-05-30T22:17:10-04:00

As society as a whole becomes more accepting and less fearful of gender orientation, it will continue to flow into the military as well.

Response by SSgt Private RallyPoint Member made May 30 at 2015 11:26 PM

2015-05-30T23:26:36-04:00

Not in the least......

Response by CPT Private RallyPoint Member made May 31 at 2015 11:09 AM

2015-05-31T11:09:15-04:00

I come from a group of Leathernecks who went to Marine Basic training in 1998. I graduated from MCRD in April 1998 and my entire time in the United States Marine Corps. I only met one openly gay US Marine and he was immediately processed out of the Marine Corps. Being a US Marine is a hard job and being open about one's sexual preference takes courage there. That being said Yes there is homophobia in the military however, Soldiers, Sailors, and Marines are becoming more and more open minded. I believe if they can hold a rifle and point in the right direction and pull the trigger to kill the enemy I don't give a rats ass what you do in your privacy as long as they are not Sexual Predators or Pedophiles, then I will do everything in my power to make sure they go to Leavensworth.

Response by A1C Charles D Wilson made May 31 at 2015 6:18 PM

2015-05-31T18:18:19-04:00

"Tell me no lies and keep your hands to yourself!!!!" It does not bother me how someone lives their life just don't try to change or persuade me if I am not interested. I have family members who are attracted to the same sex and they understand my point of view as well. "Can we all just get along???" Yes! Life goes on at their own doing as well as my life continues to move forward. God Bless and have a great day.

Response by LTC Paul Labrador made May 31 at 2015 7:42 PM

2015-05-31T19:42:22-04:00

Oh they are not doubt out there, they're likely just not in here....or else just keeping their opinions to themselves.

Response by SPC David Hannaman made Jun 15 at 2015 2:56 PM

2015-06-15T14:56:46-04:00

People have a tendency to "parrot" what they've been taught... even if they don't really feel that way. Some people just grow up thinking "If I don't bash gays, people will think I AM gay." it's just being insecure.

Usually it takes someone they have a relationship with (a nephew, a friend, someone who they've sweat and bled with, etc) to "come out" to change their habits. Even then sometimes they're so "programmed" that they can't break the habit.

Response by SrA Edward Vong made Jun 15 at 2015 3:07 PM

2015-06-15T15:07:35-04:00

I barely come across gay bashing while serving, the most I hear is "they're cool as long as they don't hit on me" or something similar to that. I have only heard one person openly speak against it, but haven't seen him do it to a gay person, just openly speak against.

Response by SFC William Swartz Jr made Jun 15 at 2015 3:10 PM

2015-06-15T15:10:28-04:00

I do not know if homophobia is the correct choice of wording, but that is what it is....I can tell you that there is a major difference in how homosexuality is viewed in todays military that the manner it was when I enlisted in 1987. As society goes so goes the military, after all, we are a microcosm of society.

Response by SFC Mark Merino made Jun 15 at 2015 3:41 PM

2015-06-15T15:41:55-04:00

In today's society, you are required to be 100% in support of this flag waving/in your face stuff. Times have certainly changed. During our crusty careers, we had to go through the entire 180.* Now, the very organization we first joined has told us that the problem is with us if we have a problem with it. Hello! You are the people who taught us to be prejudiced in the first place!!!

Response by Capt Private RallyPoint Member made Jun 15 at 2015 4:11 PM

2015-06-15T16:11:12-04:00

Homophobia? Does that mean I fear if I do not agree with? Like others I don't give a darned what you do or do not do when off duty so long as it does not degrade the military or detract from your job performance.

Response by SSG Brian Kresge made Jun 15 at 2015 4:38 PM

2015-06-15T16:38:44-04:00

Pansexual? I love my cookware, too, and love to slather it in oil, but I've never been attracted to it, even though my saucepans have been pretty saucey. I kid, I kid.

I wonder if it really depends.

Frankly, I don't like the term "homophobia." I don't know anyone who is afraid of pansexuality, homosexuality, bisexuality, etc. Very few seem to act hostile on any faith or traditional value disdain for diverse human sexuality, either out of consideration for unit cohesion or perhaps fear of being guilty of thoughtcrime.

Litmus test would be if your squad leader always has you take your pro-mask off first.

Response by LCDR Rabbah Rona Matlow made Jun 15 at 2015 8:08 PM

2015-06-15T20:08:10-04:00

Given the passion of the nay sayers, I would say that homophobia most certainly exists. In a trans thread, one major stated that gay personnel would need separate berthing spaces. Really? Gay blue on blue attacks are a very minor thing, especially when compared to the number of hetero males who raped their colleagues and subordinates over the last 15 years and before.

If we are really afraid of sexual attacks by a class of people, should we then ban hetero males? After all, they are the ones who most jeopardize their ship/squad mates lives.

It is very much out of fear. Fear is an irrational response, as are all emotions...

Response by Capt Vickie Adams made Jun 30 at 2015 10:02 AM

2015-06-30T10:02:53-04:00

Homosexual troops have been a part of the military long before the repeal of DADT. They can do the job, if allowed. There are a lot of folks serving who would not want you in their bedrooms. Most military folks have that attitude, if they can do the job, let them.

Response by CW5 Private RallyPoint Member made Jun 30 at 2015 10:07 AM

2015-06-30T10:07:38-04:00

People are quick to label those who do not agree with others as homophobic, racist, nazi or whatever negative term they can contrive in order to stop the conversation. What people fail to realize is that we have the right to disagree with anything out there. Disagreement does not in itself foster action but rather inspire a dialogue. This is how we all meet in the middle and stand together as a united country with people of different backgrounds, cultures, opinions and attitudes.

When we stifle the conversation, we are hurting what America is all about.

Response by LCpl Waliq Knolle made Jun 30 at 2015 3:46 PM

2015-06-30T15:46:17-04:00

In my experience in the Marine Corps I've come across 2 homosexual Marines and 1 homosexual corpsman and they've never had any issues with anyone in my unit. In fact they are some of the most liked people in the unit.