[Article] US military fires gays for online profiles

ixoy

From uk.gay.com:

At least six gay, lesbian and bisexual US military members are facing discharges this year because of their online profiles, or personal ads, in what appears to be an emerging trend for enforcing the military's policy against gay soldiers.

According to the Servicemembers Legal Defence Network (SLDN), online personal ads prompted at least one gay-related firing per month so far in 2004. The Washington, DC-based agency, which serves GLBT military personnel, said the pattern marks a "significant shift," as the number of discharges based on online profiles in prior years was "not significant enough to track separately," said SLDN spokesman Steve Ralls.

The known cases make up 21 percent (six out of 29) of the "outing" incidents monitored by SLDN this year, Ralls added. The category refers to situations in which a service member's sexual orientation is revealed (or "outed") by another individual without the member's consent.

The circumstances of the cases are similar: A soldier has a falling-out with a coworker, an acquaintance or a former love interest, and that person reacts by alerting the soldier's commander to the online profile that identifies the soldier as gay or bisexual.

Ralls cited Gay.com and other dating sites as those used by the six gay or lesbian service members. He also said none of the individuals were serving in the US-led war in Iraq when they were outed.

"While outing someone to end their career is despicable, it is, unfortunately, not a violation of any regulation or statute," Ralls told the PlanetOut Network. "Under current law, any statement made at any time, to anyone, can be used as basis for a discharge."

PlanetOut Inc., parent company of Gay.com and PlanetOut.com, criticised the US military for using service members' profiles against them and said the company has begun working with SLDN to draft guidelines that will help service members protect themselves online.

"Gay.com provides lifelines to GLBT people who want to connect with their friends, family and loved ones in a safe and welcoming environment," said Jeff Titterton, senior vice president of member sales and marketing for PlanetOut Inc.

"For lesbians and gays in the US armed forces -- who serve courageously around the world but are not allowed under 'don't ask, don't tell' to be honest about who they are -- our communications channels are even more vital.

"Our company was outraged to learn that some service members who have recently been discharged for being gay or lesbian had their use of Gay.com cited as evidence against them."

A press officer from the US Marine Corps did not return phone calls for comment on this story.

Charming...

dictatorcat

Big Brother is watching us!

Nothing new or surprising really, it's the sort of closed mindedness we've all come to expect from the US military or even government for that matter:(

Yoda

I see little open-mindedness in the current Irish Government. I cannot say anything about the Irish military, though.

Victor

Originally posted by Yoda
I cannot say anything about the Irish military, though.

From a (non-gay(?)) friend, no particular notice is given. If anything, it's seen as a blessing (more skirt to go around / "at least he won't be chasing those young ones").

obviouspig

reminds me of a recent Margaret Cho standup bit.
check out her "Dont Ask Dont Tell" clip at :

http://www.margaretcho.com/audio_visual/revolution_clips/revolution_clips.htm