Outed in Iraq: Gay soldiers fighting in Iraq discharged despite recruiting

[PageOneQ]

FULL STORY:
http://rawstory.com/news/2005/Outed_in_Iraq_0206.html


Jeff Howe, who joined the Army after 9/11, and Austin Rooke, a counter-intelligence officer, share two things in common. Both served in Iraq, and both vanished from the front lines—after thousands were spent on their training—all because they preferred to have relationships with men.

Howe, who says he joined the Armed Forces after a lot of soul-searching in the wake of 9/11, was discharged after two tours in Iraq for an online personal ad. Rooke quit, tired of living a lie.


FULL STORY:
http://rawstory.com/news/2005/Outed_in_Iraq_0206.html

[Kerrytravelers]

1. I'm surprised they were sent out on the front lines with big target on

their heads.

This is a right winger war and we all know how much they love their gays. And, it would be cheaper than sending them home and sending the biggots to beat the life out of them.

AAGGGGGGGGGGGGGG!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[GreenPartyVoter]

2. Well I guess that puts to rest that the military is overlooking

orientation because they are in dire need for warm bodies. (They are actually in dire need for warm bodies, so this just goes to show how deep the bias runs.)

[Occulus]

4. If there's ever a draft, though...

...you better believe they'll require gays to serve.

I, for one, will refuse if that happens. I'd rather go to jail than be forced to serve in an organization that has made it clear throughout my adult life that it dfoesn't want me there.

[xchrom]

8. sadly, they persecuted the hell out of us

when there was a draft -- of course for those who wanted to be there it was easier because there were so many more people to look after.

[BOSSHOG]

3. The military spends millions for counseling for alcoholics

and spouse abusers and those who don't know how to manage a check book. I strongly urge gays to start chucking the tea in the harbors. You can't get married in this country, you can't join the military freely and openly. That is not equal protection. Why should you pay taxes? Religious zealots should not be defining what is right and wrong for citizens of this country, and especially when they are in a tax exempt status.

[Kerrytravelers]

5. Here! Here! I completly agree!

[Glorfindel]

6. Wouldn't do any good, Boss...

a 10% hated minority can't revolt against a 90% majority, no matter how "right" its cause. Swatting a fly would cause more inconvenience.

[BOSSHOG]

7. I would be optimistic

I think the case is obvious. No equal protection under the law. The percent it effects should be irrelevant. I know dealing with the haters that support such measures is a tough fight but no way such measures can be justified rationally in the light of the constitution. Whites marched with blacks in the 60's. No religious zealot can define what marriage is to anyone on this planet and keeping gays from serving their country in the military is cosmically ludicrous. Hang in there my friend.