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Did you know you were gay before you
signed up to the army?
I went through a period of confusion, much like a lot of people, and
only came out much later in life.
But you joined up in 1995, five years before
the ban. Were you employing the ‘don't ask, don't tell' way of
thinking?
I don't think so in my case, because I was so unsure.
Did you understand why gay men were thought to undermine effectiveness?
Looking back at that period of time, at society as a whole, if they thought
effectiveness was being undermined, then they would look at the issue
and examine it. lt was reflection of how society was progressing generally.
The good thing is, we're now in step with that society.
How are you treated?
No different to anybody else, never have been, and I think I've been
very lucky.
Did you announce your sexuality freely?
Well, when I finally decided which path in life I was going down, I told
my commanding officer. He was just so matter of fact about it which
was fantastic.
Would gay people be foolish in thinking that military life will somehow
make them more masculine?
I think so. Basically the military is a big club that you have to pull
your weight in whoever you are. As long as you pull your weight you've
got nothing to worry about. Which bar you decide to go to on your night
off is up to you entirely.
Wars are pretty intense experiences. When the bullets are flying sexuality
can hardly be an issue?
Sexuality on an operational tour is the last thing on people's minds.
You're there to do a job and you get on with it. When you're stuck in
a muddy trench it doesn't matter what gender or sexual persuasion you
are!
There's been a lot of time, money and effort wasted trying to lift the
ban. lt should have been a much easier process, shouldn't it?
Hindsight's a wonderful thing. Since 2000 all the positive steps have
been great. We've never had a more diverse army than we have now.
How many soldiers do you think are still in the closet, though?
I know people who are like that, but that's their own business. A soldier's
sexlife is his private life and if he's comfortable Iiving like that,
fine.
Should gay men thinking of joining the army be wary of anything?
I wouldn't say be wary of anything. The army provides a great protection
and they have a duty to us as we have with each other. Work hard and
play hard. As long as your sexuality doesn't interfere with your duties
and your performance is as good as the next soldier, you'll have nothing
to worry about.
Has it been difficult to find a relationship in the services?
Having a relationship in the services is difficult full stop. There's
always the chance of separation by deployment because you’re
always required to work away from home. As long as you join knowing
that and knowing what it's going to be like, you deal with it.
What's the reaction of other gay men when they encounter a gay soldier?
I mean, they're curious, there's always going to be an element of curiosity.
I just feel like anyone else down the pub really. If anyone asks anything,
it's usually just out of general interest.
 this
article appeared in the September 2005 attitude magazine
page: British
Army :: 200508-attitude-forces4change-new.htm
updated:
24 Aug 05
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