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FOCUS article
Blair in attitude
first gay military wedding

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diva Dec 06
- Lt Cdr Flint
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attitude Sep 05
- Lt Cdr Jones
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gay times ?Jul 05
- POPT Probee
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focus Jun 05
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defenceNet
- Lt Cdr Jones 03
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various
- Lt Kurth Oct 03
- Lt Kurth Feb 04

by Neville Walker

This article originally appeared in Gay Times in 2005. Read the main document as well.

Mark Probee, chief petty officer physical trainer

When I first joined the Navy, I was never out because I couldn’t be. I was quite mature at an early age, so I dealt with my sexuality. I was aware of people voicing their opinions about gay people, and I think the PT branch bad an inkling, because I never had a girlfriend. There were rumours for a long time, but they were never openly voiced,

“Then I was sent to Naples just after the ban was lifted. I got there to find the whole community buzzing about my sexuality. I thought, ‘oh well ..’. I’d never had a problem and it wasn’t illegal anymore, so I confirmed it, and people were brilliant about it. The vast majority of my friends were Service people. Some were quite offended that I’d never told them before.

“Life has been easier since. I’m in my first serious relationship. I couldn’t ever have done that comfortably before in case I was found out. I recognise now how much I’ve lost through not being able to love and be loved, but I can now have a relationship openly.

“When I returned from Naples, I got a posting wasn’t expecting. I was back with the Marines — and you’d be hard pushed to find a gay Marine. I got there and the guys were fantastic. They didn’t give a monkey’s.”