Can the military create an environment where homosexuals can serve alongside heterosexuals in an open peaceful manner?

Topic:
U.S. Political Debates

20 Contributors
in this discussion.

Yes
80% of users

  • I think that the military can create an environment where homosexuals and heterosexuals can serve together peacefully, because they are both fighting for the same cause.

    There is no reason why the military cannot create an environment where heterosexuals and homosexuals serve alongside one another in a peaceful manner. People of different races and different sexes serve alongside each other peacefully, right now. So, if we just continue to progress as we have in the past, then there's no reason for being openly gay in the military to be an issue.

    Yes CompleteJerrod

  • Yes the U.S army can.

    How, how about take a look at some of your allies, like Canada, France, etc and see how homesexuals have not had any of these issues that the haters claim it will. Heck in Canada it actually lowerd the amount of sexual abuse cases in the military.

    Yes Anonymous

  • Yes, I agree that the military can make being homosexual people feel comfortable serving the country, because there is no reason not to.

    The military, so far, is the only branch of government that opposes gays serving the country. This policy is absolutely ridiculous and should be removed. If someone wants to serve, openly gay or not, that is their business. Now, if he starts to screw with all the guys in the service, then that would be a different story. The military chooses not to allow gays to serve, but this should not be the case.

    Yes BoundlessHomer49

  • Yes, the military can create an environment where homosexuals can serve alongside heterosexuals, because someone's sexuality does not affect their ability to defend our country.

    If a person is willing to fight for and serve their country, their sexual orientation should in no way matter. A person's sexual orientation in no way affects their ability to be able to defend their country. People need to learn to be more accepting of others and their lifestyle. What someone does in their home life doesn't always affect their work.

    Yes HealthyMose59

  • Yes, I believe that the military can create an environment enabling homosexuals to serve equally, because being gay does not inhibit any one person's ability to serve.

    Because homosexuality is merely a sexual preference, and does not reflect the ability of an individual to serve, the military can create an environment for homosexuals and heterosexuals to serve alongside each other. The military recruits from a nation's population, and as the population becomes more accepting, so too does the military. The military also already has regulations against sexual harassment in the work place, and it makes sense that this would apply to homosexuals, as well as heterosexuals.

    Yes R4yAnych

  • Yes, the military can and should allow gays to openly serve in the military, as they were able to do with African-Americans years ago.

    The military can and should allow gays to serve openly in the military, and doing so will not negatively impact the military. Some people worry that allowing gays to serve openly will "disrupt" the unit. But similar fears where expressed back when African-Americans could not serve with white units. People got over it then, and they will get over it now. Worrying about making people uncomfortable is no excuse for violating the basic rights of gay people, or compromising the military's mission by forcing qualified servicemen and women to leave the service.

    Yes PreciousMiguel78

  • The military can create an environment where homosexual and heterosexual service people can service together.

    The military is not a unique place in terms of the people who serve in it so like every other workplace in the U.S. it is an environment where those of differing sexualities can work together. Homosexual servicemen are not going to jump on and molest heterosexual servicemen. It is similar to saying that men and women can't work together because the men would rape all of the women. As offensive as that idea is to heterosexual men the idea that homosexuals are won't be able to control themselves is just as as offensive to gay men. There is no reason why the military cannot be like any other workplace and allow people of different sexualities to work together openly.

    Yes J Snyder

  • The military's ethos of professionalism, and its need for group cohesion, should make us confident that integrating openly gay service members can be accomplished relatively smoothly.

    In addition to the military's previous experience with integrating African-Americans and women, and in addition to the fact that gay people serve in other countries' armed services with no apparent problems, the military has a strong culture of professionalism and a strong emphasis on group solidarity. All of these factors argue well for the ability of the institution to incorporate openly gay service members. And that's not to mention the fact that many personnel are already known to be gay (even if the fact is not discussed explicitly) and are accepted as such. So, fears expressed by opponents of equality that military readiness will suffer from the recent abolition of the "don't ask, don't tell" policy appear not merely to advocate for discrimination, but to be based on a dubious (and, one might add, remarkably condescending) prediction about the military's ability to function with decency and professionalism.

    Yes M4I4cFeIine

  • I believe that the military can create an environment where heterosexuals and homosexuals can work alongside each other in a peaceful manner because individuals should be able to put aside discriminating beliefs to serve their country.

    I believe this is akin to asking whether or not black and whites can work together in the environment in a peaceful manner. It's time to put these silly discrimination issues behind us and begin to respect each other for our differences. We need to be thankful that we can serve and live in a country that protects our rights to be different.

    Yes ladisimone

  • Homosexuals already do serve in the military, and always have done.

    Homosexuals have always served in the armed forces. From the Roman Legions to modern times of conscription there have been gay soldiers. Who a person loves does not affect their ability to perform a job.

    Yes taidokas

  • Of course, the military should allow homosexuals to serve alongside heterosexuals. Anybody who wants to put his life on the line for his or her country should be allowed.

    Currently, heterosexuals and homosexuals serve alongside one another. If you are around a person long enough, you get to know them and you likely will find out who is gay and who is not. Don't Ask, Don't Tell just isn't needed anymore. We are moving away from bigotry of gays in this country and the military is the next step. Let's move forward and not backwards.

    Yes JeffP4ri5

  • A structured organization like the military can create a structured environment wherein homosexuals and heterosexuals can peacefully work together.

    People in the military come from all walks of American life. Years ago, there were separate divisions in the military for people of different races, but as society progressed, our armed forces were some of the first institutions to integrate. Because of the authoritative structure of the military, they are able to impose rules on their soldiers and expect them to live up to the standards. Integrating heterosexuals and homosexuals is just the next step in creating a more accepting society. While homosexual soldiers often face blatant discrimination from their colleagues, the military could greatly reduce or even eliminate that effect by taking a stronger stance on tolerance of personal differences.

    Yes badderpp

  • Homosexuality doesn't have anything to do with being in the military service and being a good soldier.

    A homosexual has every right as a heterosexual to be in the military and to serve their country. It is their choice to do this and any person who chooses to serve their country should be praised. There is no reason why sexual orientation should be considered as rejection into the military.

    Yes B3rkIffy

  • Homosexuality is compatible with military service, but it will take some doing.

    In order for homosexuals to be able to serve in the military, the military will need to crack down on hazing and bullying that demonizes homosexuality. They can do this by sanctioning those participate in such activities, up to and including Bad Conduct Discharges for the worst offenders. Steps can also be taken to identify homophobes before they actually enter the military (e.g. at the MEPS intake or basic training).

    Yes 54uIIan

  • The military can create an environment where homosexuals can serve alongside heterosexuals in an open peaceful manner.

    There is no reason the military cannot create an peaceful environment for both homosexuals and heterosexuals. If men and women can serve side by side they why not homosexuals and heterosexuals? Fraternizing between any of the sexes is not allowed in the military. That would be the only problem I could see happening. I do understand why some heterosexuals might be threatened by homosexuals out of self consciousness but if men and women can be in the same barracks and on the front line together there should not be any problem.

    Yes w00tboycomic

  • There already are many homosexuals serving in the military.

    It is surprising that the U.S. does not approve of homosexuals openly serving in the military. Many other countries already allow homosexuals to serve in their military forces. Requiring those who are gay or lesbian to remain in the closet if they want to be a part of our military can lead to feelings of alienation and lack of self-respect as these people have to "live a lie" every day in order to remain in good standing at work. For the mental health of those who are currently serving while closeted and to show a good example for the remainder of the world, allowing homosexuals to serve in the military is the right thing to do.

    Yes Lawson88
Voice Your Opinion
No
20% of users

  • I do not believe that the military can create an environment where homosexuals can serve openly along side heterosexuals because most heterosexual men will feel awkward sleeping close to and showering with a homosexual man.

    I do not believe that the military can create an environment where homosexuals can serve peacefully along side heterosexuals because there are a lot of situations where the soldiers have to shower or sleep together in tight quarters and I believe that the heterosexuals men will feel uncomfortable being in that situation. Especially during a year long deployment where the homosexual is deprived of sex and he could start to have inappropriate feelings toward the other male soldiers.

    No ExcitedRonald

  • No, it is not military policy that is causing the problem between heterosexuals and homosexuals, it is the people in the military themselves.

    It would not matter if the military said being openly homosexual was okay. They can not change the minds of their recruits, and no amount of laws or punishments will help any time soon. In the long term, with a lot of support outside of the military, something might give. But in the meantime, such action would put our fighting forces at risk as they fought amongst themselves.

    No H_Baird

  • Based on my experience and on my observation I doubt about it because there is always a chaos about the sexuality of an individual and who are the most strong between these two.

    Homosexual and heterosexual will not have a peaceful relationship especially when it comes to serving alongside in the military. There is always an animosity between these two sexes.

    No H4miJame

  • I don't believe that the military is such a place that can create or house any homosexuality what so ever.

    The military is not the place for homosexuality. Homosexuals can be easily targeted and spotted with an instance. Their moves and actions are easily noticed. If somehow there is such a person that is in any branch it will be easily noticed by someone right away. I don't think it would be tolerated. These people are suppose to be representing our country not making it look bad. I support and respect all military personnel and do not believe that it is such a place where homosexuality can or will exist.

    No EmanBunny
Voice Your Opinion

Related Debates

Debate Topics

 
 
Can the military create an environment where homosexuals can serve alongside heterosexuals in an open peaceful manner?
Top of Page
© 2010 Juggle, LLC
All Rights Reserved
Encyclopedia & Reference Resource