Most troops wouldn't oppose serving with gays, survey finds

Washington Post ^ | 10/28/2010 | Ed O' Keefe

[SeekAndFind]

A majority of active-duty and reserve service members surveyed by the Defense Department would not object to serving and living alongside openly gay troops, according to multiple people familiar with the findings.

The survey's results are expected to be included in a Pentagon report, due to President Obama on Dec. 1, regarding how the military would end enforcement of the "don't ask, don't tell" law that bans openly gay men and lesbians from serving in uniform.

Some troops surveyed - but not a majority - objected strongly to the idea of serving with gays and said they would quit the military if the policy changed, said the sources, who spoke on the condition of anonymity because they were not authorized to publicly share details of the survey.

Defense Department officials did not respond to requests for comment.

NBC News first reported Thursday evening on the survey's findings.

In July, the Pentagon sent a survey with dozens of questions to 400,000 active-duty and reserve troops. It asked whether they had ever shared a room or the showers with gay peers, and how they might act if a gay service member lived with a same-sex partner on base.

Military officials did not say how many troops completed the survey, but at least 103,000 had done so just days before it was due, according to the Pentagon. A similar survey was later sent to military spouses.

[Abathar]

Everyone has to serve in the IDF, being gay would be the “in” thing to get out of mandatory service if they allowed it for some people. I imagine if Israel was founded in a safer climate and not surrounded by her enemies then it might be a different story.

[little jeremiah]

Bad credit and practicing unnatural, immoral, unhealthy and disgusting sex practices are not equivalent.

[Conservative Coulter Fan]

In Support the 1993 Law Stating that Homosexuals are not Eligible to Serve in the Military
Court Cases Reveal the Destructive Effects of Homosexual Misconduct (SHOCKING)
Rates of Homosexual Assault in the Military Are Disproportionately High
Ten Reasons to Oppose an “LGBT Law” or Policy for the Military
Foreign Nations Are Not Role Models for the U.S.
Senate Testimony: European Militaries Are Not Role Models for U.S.
Homosexual Assault in the Military
Has Homosexuality Always Been Incompatible With Military Service?

[HairOfTheDog]

Homosexuals - AIDS

Probably the most compelling argument against that I've heard. One I won't discount as mere hysteria and emotionalism. At least... compelling considering enlistment of gay men in particular. It's not a threat that relates to women.

So... I'll grant you that. It's not easy to dismiss that very real practicality.

Discussing an issue and asking for reason, not hysterics, is not "pushing an agenda" it's what will be required in this era. That's the way it is outside this little echo chamber. Doesn't matter to me if you get it.

[central_va]

they’re pushing this homo crap so much as they know this is their last chance before sanity restores Govt. We’re talking about men wanting sex with other men and some seem to not think about that. There’s nothing frigging normal or natural about it. It;s sick plain and simple

Our stupid libertarian FRiends take the bait every time.

[little jeremiah]

Hopefully soon to be fried ones. Jim Robinson does not take kindly to people pushing homosexuals in the military.

[little jeremiah]

Thank you!

[central_va]

How is it that so many on this thread are pushing the homosexual agenda. It’s sickening.

When you think about, if it is this bad on Free Republic then it is depressingly bad.

[central_va]

How is it that so many on this thread are pushing the homosexual agenda. It’s sickening.

When you think about, if it is this bad on Free Republic then it is depressingly bad.

[little jeremiah]

JR, blackdog and Hair of the Dog have been pushing it for quite some time, they’ve shown up before.

Just FYI.

[little jeremiah]

So you’re calling opposition to the homosexual agenda “hysteria”.

Very revealing.

[Conservative Coulter Fan]

I dunno. It's one thing when the military has no big fish to fight. But when we're at war and bad guys are trying to kill me, I really don't care what the sexual practices of the persons to the left and right of me are.

Of course you don't care when you lack honor, integrity, and don't care what sort of dissolute and immoral practices are in your army. Believe me, it has been demonstrated with scientific evidence that that not only is homosexuality a pathology itself, but they are prone to other psychological disorders. Additionally, they are more concerned with their sexual deviancy, which has come to define their lives and that represents a direct conflict of interest in many areas, but especially on a field of battle! If you are this open, why doesn't the military just cease insisting on any moral character and allow every degenerate, criminal, and thug into the service?

[Castlebar]

Would you be open to a military REFERENDUM?, which is -— to allow ALL SOLDIERS in the Coast Guard, Airforce, Army, Navy and Marines to vote on this issue?

There are no soldiers in the Coast Guard, Airforce, Navy, or Marine Corps.

(This level of familiarity with the military is to be expected from advocates of gays in the military.)

Actually, there is no way the current political leadership in the DOD would ever allow such a referendum to be conducted "secret ballot", as they know that they would not like the results.

[little jeremiah]

They come here on purpose. Homosexual/leftist websites encourage their inmates to come here and troll.

I've seen my name being discussed (with opprobrium, of course..ha ha) on a transgender discussion. Two banned former freep names, one still current.

[little jeremiah]

Most people on FR are wise to the homosexual agenda and properly loathe it.

Liberaltarians and regular leftist trolls stick out like sore thumbs here.

[Godebert]

"I conclude that homophobia is directly proportionate the the degree of which your life is in danger. If the Chicoms just launched a shoot and forget supersonic missile at my aircraft carrier and the best person at intercepting that missile based on the their demonstrated skills just happens to prefer sex with the same gender, gimme the homo every time!

I conclude you never served in the military.

[Conservative Coulter Fan]

Homophobia is from the left wing lexicon, and the only value it has is to discourage and ostracize people that uphold morality. I’m sorry, but people aren’t going be ashamed to speak out something thyat the founding fathers were embarassed to mention by name.

[HairOfTheDog]

Oh good grief.

Fine, get me out of here... I’m frankly bored with this discussion and your accusations are tiring. How you guys can argue fervently about homosexuals day after day is astounding.

Lucky for me it’s a lovely day here and there’s a few *good news* items around for conservatives. I’ll find those.

Good day.

[central_va]

Fine, get me out of here

Why don't you go to SF and pass out Marine Corp recruiting info to the Gay boys in the bathhouses. I'm sure they'd like to give you their "input".

[HairOfTheDog]

Why don't you go to SF and pass out Marine Corp recruiting info to the Gay boys in the bathhouses. I'm sure they'd like to give you their "input".

I'm a chick. I think you're wrong about how much gay men want to give me their input. In fact... I think that's the *nature* of the problem for you, isn't it?

Stop being an idiot.