i recently enlisted and i ship out to bct in less than a week. i think i'm physically and (for the most part [haha]) mentally prepared. the only thing that scares me is having to play it straight again. it's not like i'm in a relationship or anything, and i definitely don't look or act very gay. most people can't even tell.

i'm not the type of "gay" the homophobes have stereotyped us all as: STD-ridden, bar-hopping promiscuous gropers just waiting for even the least attractive person of the same sex to drop the soap in the community shower (i LOVE when unfortunate looking people think i'm checking them out)- the problem is that i'm the outspoken type that desires equal rights for all. let's just say i haven't been known to keep quiet around ignorant strangers bashing homosexuals in public.

clearly i'm going to have to... "tone it down" when it comes to expressing my opinions on things like DODT and what not, but my question is, what CAN i do as an enlisted soldier to help win this fight on inequality? i think it's an exciting time for gays in the military, what with the possibility of getting the DODT policy repealed (if Obama can get around to it), so is keeping silent and playing straight my only option as a soldier?

A good source is SLDN's Survival Guide.

**http://www.sldn.org/pages/survival-guide**

You can do a lot. The question is what you choose to do.

My personal advice to you is to keep those opinions to yourself in the workplace until you are no longer junior enlisted; and even then, argue those points only with your peers, or people whom you regard with mutual respect. After all, I'd like to be able to assume that you're not the type of person who demands respect from people in a disrespectful way.

That aside, however, there is nothing that is stopping you from being an grassroots activist on this(these) issue(s) when you are away from work. Depending on where you are stationed, there are a lot of organizations that will be more than happy to not only assist you, but to put you to work writing letters, raising funds, and making calls. Don't argue with people in your general circle of associates; be productive on a broader front. I use the Combined Federal Campaign to donate to gay causes, specifically those that work against DADT. The irony appeals to me, and is just one example of ways that you can push this issue without being pushy - and without the people around you even realizing you are doing it.

A sense of humor is a must.

I made several gay jokes myself while in the CG, but then again we always made the worst possible jokes, they only quit for a day when we got a new sailor who happened to be black, when he made a black joke and a white joke it was all back to fair game. No one knew I was gay, but he couldn't hide that he was black.

You don't have be out there holding up a sign for gay rights to support it. Like Frank said there is always behind the scene things like letter writing, filing paperwork, training new people. Being a good example of the image gays on a whole want to be perceived as does so much as well.

I don't recommend starting any gay discussions and be careful how you enter them. I would also have some sort of cover story like you just haven't found that girl who interests you in that way.

Good luck

How about this? Repent & be baptized!

almost all great suggestions! i will definitely keep those in mind. thank you! i'm glad i will still be able to feel useful to my GLBT family. i especially appreciate the note on how being an exemplary soldier is the best thing i can do, because that is exactly what i have every intention of doing.

oh, and gunnycracker, since i have no clue what i would have to be repenting for, i'm going to assume that comment is(or you are) a joke. and since i'm told to develop a great sense of humor, HAHAHAHA! good one.

thanks again, guys. ^_^

quote:

Originally posted by GunnyCracker:
How about this? Repent & be baptized!

I will pray to The Goddess for you, dear wayward child.

For SHE says in Verse 35, Chapter 1 “Mind thine own darn business”.

SHE also says in Verse 5, Chapter 3: “Verily, thou who art annoying and throweth thy idolatrous myths in others’ faces shall forever and anon be looked upon as a kook.”

Sir, my religion is much better than your myth of a male god with all that weird contradictory stuff.

My Goddess has simple rules:
Thou shalt not doeth to others what thou don’t want done to thee.
Once they doeth unto thee, then thou can doeth unto them the same.
Standeth up for thineself and those weaker.
Pursueth thy dream whilst helping others.
Thou havest the right to do anything unless it taketh away from others’ rights.
Thou shalt not taketh away nor denyeth another’s right to live, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness. If thou can doeth a thing, thou hast no right to deny others the same.
Keepeth thy myths to thineself.
I am a just and loving Goddess but hypocrites dost pi55eth me off.

In the last chapter, SHE says “If thy disobeyeth ME, I shall sendeth down a peace pox to smite thee from on high when thou least expecteth it, for I am a just and loving Goddess (like I saith before, remember?) The pox shalt maketh thee smile, skip through fields of flowers, and singeth Kumbaya for 40 days and 40 nights, and thou shalt then becometh a good person for ever and anon.”

For SHE is Goddess.

‘aaaaahhhhhhhhhhhhhhmmmmmmmmmmmm’

AAAAmen, sisters and brothers!!! And Haaaaalellujeah!!!!

Peace,
Paul

Just to make sure it is understood:

I am praying to The Goddess for thee, GunnyCracker, for I truly pityest all those who have strayed from the path and hateth and feareth diversity.

Poor, poor misguided people.

hahahaha

This myth/religion stuff sounds so kooky, don't it?

Oh BTW....I've decided that my Goddess will be Batwoman. She's hot!!! Yowza!!

As for the original post, sorry, i got off track. (just trying to keep it light)

To Marumon, I'd say stick to being the best soldier you can possibly be, learn your job and do waht's right.

If you stick up for what's right all the time and speak out whenever anyone is mistreated (regardless if they're gay or a nerd, or whatever) then I think they might just call you a bleeding heart softy like they sometimes pick on me about (jokingly), but I don't think they'll suspect you're gay. But just to be on the safe side, keep it smart and use common sense. As we used to always say

"No poly (as in polygraph test),

no waiver (waiver of your rights to remain silent)

no statement."

If questioned, deny everything and admit nothing.


And yes, by all means, have fun and don't take cr@p too seriously. enjoy the ride.

Peace,
Paul

quote:

Originally posted by Frank_A_Valdez:
I say do your work, get your quals done, etc. First and foremost, be a great sailor.

Secondly, remember that everyone is a professional. They are expected and required to act in a professional manner. You are, too.

Thirdly, don't worry too much about it. Politics comes up sometimes but everyone's generally a good sport about it. You'll run into conservatives (even gay conservatives) but so what? If you aren't smart enough to defend your own opinion, then maybe you ought to go about rethinking it.

Everyone likes a smart, well-thought out, persuasive answer. Contrary to what you might think, they like it even more when you spice it up with a great wisecrack or two.

Most important of all, f'r christ sake, have a sense of humor. Don't get your panties all knickered up if someone makes a gay crack or whatever. You'll catch on.

Good luck, swabbie.
You're gonna have a GREAT time!!

By FAR....this is the best advice.

quote:

Originally posted by GunnyCracker:
How about this? Repent & be baptized!

"Repent & be baptized" Repent from what? Sexual orientation is a datum, much like hair or eye color.
as far as being baptized goes, do you think a dunking is going to change anyone's basic makeup?

Marumon, my best advice keep your eyes and ears open and your mouth shut. Once you get the lay of the land your own good sense will dictate how to act toward whom.

quote:

Originally posted by GunnyCracker:
How about this? Repent & be baptized!

\

It may be that....subject in question has already repented and been baptized, NO? WHO among us has lived perfectly following repentence?

quote:

Originally posted by Vicdude:

quote:

Originally posted by GunnyCracker:
How about this? Repent & be baptized!

"Repent & be baptized" Repent from what? Sexual orientation is a datum, much like hair or eye color.
as far as being baptized goes, do you think a dunking is going to change anyone's basic makeup?

This response implies absent understanding of Christian doctrine, though I admit the suggestion was equally improper.

If marumon wants to be politically active on this issue, it would be better done following separation from service.

quote:

Originally posted by Vicdude:
Marumon, my best advice keep your eyes and ears open and your mouth shut. Once you get the lay of the land your own good sense will dictate how to act toward whom.

Actually now that i think about it, Vicdude is right and my last advice was wrong. There were way too many times throughout my career that I jumped in with both my feet and spouted off with my opinion whenever I felt someone was doing wrong. A few of those times were against someone much higher rank and I had my pee pee slapped because of it. oops

Discretion is the better part of valor.

Peace,
Paul J

Marumon,
Unfortunately, your dichotomy is respecting yourself, your beliefs, ethics, and everything else you hold dear, and speaking up, when you hear an injustice.
I had two individuals in my Flight, who were as open as you could be in the middle 70s. We held their orientation under a very safe watchguard. I'm not sure how many can be trusted to know the truth nowadays.
I recommend you hold your identity close and don't reveal it to anyone. I'm reading a mixed bag of information regarding supervisors and commanders. It appears DADT has turned more people against each other, than to create any sort of cohesion.
If you come across anyone, who vocalizes dissent, I'll say keep your distance, if at all possible. We seem to have more espionage going on with our own military, than we ever did with the USSR. There's more than one Wing-Nut on Active Duty. Don't let them destroy your career.
Unless DADT is repealed, don't trust your identity with anyone, including anyone else your gaydar picks up. You're better off maintaining a professional demeanor and keep your personal life well away from the Post.
The reason I recommend you trust your gaydar and keep those at bay, is having read where they've been betrayed by the so-called gay friend.
If you choose to make the military a career, you'll have to do some soul searching. You will ask yourself more than once, if sacrificing your true self is worth it. If you can hold out and this Administration can keep it's promise, you won't regret staying in.
Best of luck and work hard in Basic. Drill Sergeants will recognize quality.

Telling your co-workers you're gay

This may be of interest to some ...

>>>http://blog.marketplace.nwsource.com/ninetothrive/2009/09/telling_your_co-workers_youre.html?cmpid=2694

quote:

Originally posted by Paul_J:

quote:

Originally posted by GunnyCracker:
How about this? Repent & be baptized!

I will pray to The Goddess for you, dear wayward child.

For SHE says in Verse 35, Chapter 1 “Mind thine own darn business”.

SHE also says in Verse 5, Chapter 3: “Verily, thou who art annoying and throweth thy idolatrous myths in others’ faces shall forever and anon be looked upon as a kook.”

Sir, my religion is much better than your myth of a male god with all that weird contradictory stuff.

My Goddess has simple rules:
Thou shalt not doeth to others what thou don’t want done to thee.
Once they doeth unto thee, then thou can doeth unto them the same.
Standeth up for thineself and those weaker.
Pursueth thy dream whilst helping others.
Thou havest the right to do anything unless it taketh away from others’ rights.
Thou shalt not taketh away nor denyeth another’s right to live, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness. If thou can doeth a thing, thou hast no right to deny others the same.
Keepeth thy myths to thineself.
I am a just and loving Goddess but hypocrites dost pi55eth me off.

In the last chapter, SHE says “If thy disobeyeth ME, I shall sendeth down a peace pox to smite thee from on high when thou least expecteth it, for I am a just and loving Goddess (like I saith before, remember?) The pox shalt maketh thee smile, skip through fields of flowers, and singeth Kumbaya for 40 days and 40 nights, and thou shalt then becometh a good person for ever and anon.”

For SHE is Goddess.

‘aaaaahhhhhhhhhhhhhhmmmmmmmmmmmm’

AAAAmen, sisters and brothers!!! And Haaaaalellujeah!!!!

Peace,
Paul

...wtf

Anyways, Good luck to you marumon.

quote:

Originally posted by zjrc:

quote:

Originally posted by Paul_J:

quote:

Originally posted by GunnyCracker:
How about this? Repent & be baptized!

I will pray to The Goddess for you, dear wayward child.

For SHE says in Verse 35, Chapter 1 “Mind thine own darn business”.

SHE also says in Verse 5, Chapter 3: “Verily, thou who art annoying and throweth thy idolatrous myths in others’ faces shall forever and anon be looked upon as a kook.”

Sir, my religion is much better than your myth of a male god with all that weird contradictory stuff.

My Goddess has simple rules:
Thou shalt not doeth to others what thou don’t want done to thee.
Once they doeth unto thee, then thou can doeth unto them the same.
Standeth up for thineself and those weaker.
Pursueth thy dream whilst helping others.
Thou havest the right to do anything unless it taketh away from others’ rights.
Thou shalt not taketh away nor denyeth another’s right to live, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness. If thou can doeth a thing, thou hast no right to deny others the same.
Keepeth thy myths to thineself.
I am a just and loving Goddess but hypocrites dost pi55eth me off.

In the last chapter, SHE says “If thy disobeyeth ME, I shall sendeth down a peace pox to smite thee from on high when thou least expecteth it, for I am a just and loving Goddess (like I saith before, remember?) The pox shalt maketh thee smile, skip through fields of flowers, and singeth Kumbaya for 40 days and 40 nights, and thou shalt then becometh a good person for ever and anon.”

For SHE is Goddess.

‘aaaaahhhhhhhhhhhhhhmmmmmmmmmmmm’

AAAAmen, sisters and brothers!!! And Haaaaalellujeah!!!!

Peace,
Paul

...wtf

Anyways, Good luck to you marumon.

Sorry, I was being a dumbazz again. I was trying to show GC how ridiculous he sounded by saying all that repent crap. so I did the same thing back, trying to sound as ridiculous as I could. I reckon I went overboard just a tad.

Oops.

OK, I'm stupid. I admit it.



Peace,
Paul

quote:

Sorry, I was being a dumbazz again. I was trying to show GC how ridiculous he sounded by saying all that repent crap. so I did the same thing back, trying to sound as ridiculous as I could. I reckon I went overboard just a tad.

Oops.

OK, I'm stupid. I admit it.

I thought it was pretty funny. Too bad the "Repent" redneck wouldn't have the comprehension level to understand.