Gays in the ranks: Who cares?

About three fourths of military personnel say they would be fine with serving alongside out gays and lesbians. So why can't they?

Brian Fricke wanted to follow in the footsteps of his grandfather, who served as a sergeant in the Marines. So he joined the elite fighting corps in 2000.

Fricke knew, even as a teenager, that to join the armed forces meant giving up personal freedoms. What he didn't realize was how much more difficult that would be for a gay man--who would have to be closeted.

Two years later, while he was stationed in Okinawa, Japan, Fricke had had ... Full Story »

Posted by Dale Penn
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Subjects: U.S., Living
Member Tags: gays, don't ask, don't tell, gays in the military, LGBT, GLBT, sexuality, ban, lifestyle, LGBT rights, Marine Corps, DADT
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Posted by: Posted by Dale Penn - Jan 30, 2007 - 12:21 PM PST
Edit Lock: This story can be edited
Edited by: Fabrice Florin - Jan 31, 2007 - 9:45 AM PST

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3.9
by Dale Penn - Jan. 31, 2007

Zogby polls aren't known for having a liberal spin, and it is one of the main pieces of evidence to support the concept that the "don't ask, don't tell" policy in the military should probably be reconsidered. Anecdotal evidence is provided from those serving from inside the closet as well as former military officials at all levels.

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3.6
by Rick Ukena - Jan. 31, 2007
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5.0
by Michael Hanna-Fein - Jan. 31, 2007

This is a first-hand account of a young man in the allegedly "manliest and most macho" branch of our military, and yet, after being frightening to reveal himself, finally came out to his fellow Marines, and they all said it was no big deal. This along with the quotes of major military big-wigs and well documented stats to show how attitudes within the military has changed, presents a compelling reason for why the government should re-think and remove its bans on gays serving openly ... More »

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4.0
by Paul Stambaugh - Jan. 31, 2007
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4.2
by Allen Hill - Jan. 31, 2007
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3.0
by Fabrice Florin - Jan. 31, 2007
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4.7
by Patricia A. Flood - Jan. 31, 2007
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5.0
by Jami Dwyer - Jan. 31, 2007
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4.6
by Karen Mohler - Feb. 1, 2007

It's a compelling argument for abolishing the failed "don't ask, don't tell" policy and allowing LGBT Americans to serve openly in the military, with some other stories in addition to Mr. Fricke's.

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4.0
by Thomas Edmonds - Feb. 4, 2007
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