Quote:
Originally Posted by Platapus
I can only offer one personal data point so it is anecdotal, but I don't think my experiences were that unusual.
When I was in Korea '88/'89, my roommate was a homosexual. We lived in a 10x10 cell... uh dorm room and shared a bathroom with the next cell.
No issues. No concerns. Everyone respected one each other. 
One of the misconceptions that many heterosexuals have is that homosexual men are sexually attracted to every other man. According to my roommate, that simply is not true. One of the other myths is that homosexual men have no control over their sexual actions. That is also not true. Many homosexual men have no sexual interest in heterosexual men. And no, most homosexual men are not interested in "converting" heterosexual men. Some may, but I doubt many.
Anyway, I am one data point where rooming/crapping/showering/etc with a homosexual man caused no problems. I never worried that he would sneak up on me while I was sleeping, nor did I ever worry about him seeing me naked. It simply was not a problem. |
I get that, I know some gay guys, even call a few friend.I actually know an openly gay man who thinks DADT is a good idea.I've read a few blogs also where openly gay men say they are in favor of it.I can understand if a civillian company demands gays live in the closet etc, but that is far different from the issue of being openly gay in the military.
I think about the locker room in high school or in college at my my frat house.We lived in close quarters, many openly walked around nude from time to time if in transit from shower to their room etc.No one thought anything of it because as far as we knew, no one in the house was gay.Now had someone been openly gay, it would be different.Sorry, its different if you know the guy prefers the male form, even if he's not into you.Sort of like a guy being in the girls locker room kind of thing.Just basic dynamics.Now, I get your story about your roommate, perhaps it was different for you.However, I have known a lot of military growing up where I did, Officers and Enlisted and still know many.Pretty much all share the same tune, they'd rather not know if the guy in the barracks or shower is gay, because you feel different.
Another dynamic also, what new regs will accompany this that will in turn hurt morale? For example, sailors on a ship when off watch or Marines in the barracks just hanging out, talking, chewing the fat etc Lots of friendly insults get thrown around, fag, homo, ass clown etc are some of them.Will they suddenly due to the PC police not be able to say so if they know an openly gay man is in the room? Will he now be able to complain since DADT is gone? Will a good Marine or Sailor get into trouble for simple smack talking? This will affect morale.Senators and Congressman, esp on the Left side do not understand or just do not care about this dynamic.Obama has no clue because he has no backround related to military, simply a community organizer
Why risk affecting morale when morale in the armed forces is already kind of low.Why not just continue the sensible policy of DADT.