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Did you know you were gay before you signed up?
I'd been out for a couple of years before I joined up so I was never
in any doubt.
Did you not think, even though the ban had been lifted, that you would
encounter problems?
It crossed my mind but anyone crossing the line between civilian life
into military life is going to have some concerns about how it's going
to affect them. I had enough confidence in my sense of privacy to be
able to get around any problems.
The reasons for the ban seem quite unjustified now, don't they?
Thinking back, you're looking at an organisation that's totally different
to what it is today. A lot of the ethos was based upon older ideas
and opinions. But don't think that reflects badly per se on the people
who made those decisions. What it does show is that they hadn't had
the experience of meeting gay men to understand what the situation
was. lt wasn't deliberate prejudice, it was just based upon the life
they came to know. lt's accepted now that you can't run the military
effectively without giving attention to morale and welfare, and respecting
people's sexuality is a big part of that.
How have you been treated?
No different to anyone else, which is how I would wish it. lf people
want to speak to me about it, I'm always willing to talk about it.
I'm quite open, but it's not something which I think is an ordinary
thing to bring up in a conversation no more so than my straight colleagues
talking about how straight they are.
Did you feel forced to come out?
I never felt under pressure. I only decided to come out in the Air Force
last January and it was the easiest coming out of all because I'm among
friends and colleagues. lt was never a problem.
Have you ever felt any homophobia?
No, never.
Is that the exception or the norm?
I don't anticipate that there would be any more homophobic incidents
in the services than there would be in the private sector. lf anything,
we have more robust rules about equality and diversity than most companies
do. I didn't know what to expect but my experience has been positive.
Did you feel you had something to prove by joining the armed forces?
No, not really, I'm just doing the job I want to do and my sexuality
is a very minor part of that. The only person I have something to prove
to is myself.
Do you think some gay men join up to boost their masculinity?
Masculinity's quite a broad term now. lt can be defined just as well
by David Beckham as is can Mike Tyson.
But the military’s quite a masculine environment, isn’t
it?
Things have moved on. We're a much more technical service than we used
be, certainly in the Air Force. We have our military role and we have
our peacetime role and the two of them are separated. I don't think there's
any call for me or any of my colleagues to be any more macho than anyone
else really.
The lifting of the ban was a resounding non-event. Won't people look
back and wonder what all the fuss was about?
This will be looked at in much the same way as decriminalisation was
in 1967 when there was a lot of concern about how that would affect society.
Looking back there was no need for concern and things happened for the
better.
And now the RAF recruits at gay pride festivals. That's progress!
It's very good to see that we're starting to reach out to other communities.
Are gay and straight men that different? Isn't military life designed
to make you different anyway?
Obviously, the job we do has inherent risks. In that respect we do have
to have a different mindset, but that doesn't involve sexuality. Apart
from the most fundamental issue of all, there aren't that many differences
between gay and straight men. Those who want to serve their country have
the right to do so.
What advice can you offer for a gay man thinking of serving?
Exactly the same advice as to my straight friends, that they have to
be prepared for a great challenge. Certainly during training there
are mental and physical challenges to overcome, so you have to make
sure that you're fit and you have the mental robustness to get through
it.
What do other gay men think when they meet you?
I have to say I find it astonishing that we've had one of the greatest
steps forward in gay rights in the last decade and so few men know
about it.
Are there many closeted gay men amongst your ranks?
I know a couple of colleagues from the past who have come up and spoken
to me. lt's entirely up to them, as long as they feel comfortable with
the decision they make then I don't think we can ask more than that.
ls it because coming out is an emotional decision, something that's
quite at odds with the military mindset?
We do devolve our emotions from our duties, which in a military institution
is necessary. As far as possible our private lives are entirely that.
 this
article appeared in the September 2005 attitude magazine
page: Royal Air
Force :: 200508-attitude-forces4change-wasley.htm
updated:
24 Aug 05
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