Kicked Out of the Military for Being Gay: One Man’s Experience During “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell”Title.

[@fob1xxl]

I'm so sorry you went through what you did. I was drafted in the Viet Nam War in 1965 when I was 19. Fortunately, I didn't come out until I was 23. I came across a lot of negativity once I came out, not unlike many other guys back then. I lost my best friend and an older sister who couldn't accept the fact I was gay. I was in a relationship for 40 years until my partner died in 2017. It was a wonderful life. In April, I will turn 78. Live your life for yourself, not anyone else. You're a young man, and you have your whole future ahead of you. Those who want you to change to what they believe is right must understand that if anyone has to change, " it has to be them." Let love be your guide through your life. It is the TRUE POWER AND STRENGTH IN LIFE. P.S.........GOD knows who you are. HE knows your heart. HE made you. HE loves you.

[@lisaboban]

This story is equally important to tell. Generations to come need to hear these stories of struggle, rejection, love and triumph. Thank you for this sharing.

[@LenHealsU]

What an excellent reply / comment! I wholeheartedly agree!

[@tomhaywood8619]

You are one GREAT man!!! I'm 63yrs. old and I am EXTREMELY proud of you!!

[@coreypatrick7230]

Thank you for your service sir - I too served as a gay man in the military- it was not easy

[@camecex]

I wish him all the best in life.

[@ScribblebytesWorldwide]

He done told! At least he got an Honorable Discharge. Thankfully it's legal now.

[@TrueTydin]

Happy they changed the rules

[@samueljaramillo4221]

Many that wanted to serve in the military were not allowed to. Many of those that were serving that shouldn’t be are allowed to . Such injustice. He did what he did to be able to be true to himself. Wonderful man.

[@DannyLTerry]

Thank you for sharing this/your story. His story is a friendly reminder of how far we have come and those who served to get us here this far. I THANK YOU FOR YOUR SPECIAL SERVICE.👍❤

[@juliancoulden1753]

What an extraordinary man. He could have been bitter, but he wasn’t. The country’s loss.

[@generaldiego]

thanks for sharing this because it took guts duder

[@lisaboban]

What a great story! Thank you so much for sharing it with those of us who need to hear it.

[@LenHealsU]

My heart goes out to you James, but you did the right thing. It's amazing how your peers and commander took you out to lunch at the end (in a positive way). I wonder if they felt guilt. Whatever the case I'm sure your experience helped to open the door for Gays to be legally in the military.

[@nelsonmunoz1759]

Thank you for sharing your story. You're a great man. Greetings from Spain.

[@firouz256]

A Smart, handsome, wholesome man with integrity!

[@jamesrobiscoe1174]

Courage and bravery come in many ways. Yours led you to a greater involvement in living. Congratulations.

[@michaelfairbairn4283]

I had a friend who was in the Air Force at the same time who described his superior officers' constant efforts to catch him out. It must have been horrible for him.

[@louisdewit4429]

Worrying. These ‘superiors’ need to lead us in battle yet show they are so small minded. Sad and dangerous.

[@curiousexcitement5307]

Yeah ..1993...one year I was kicked out

[@src3360]

The opening music makes nostalgic but im not sure for what lol But I really like it....💖

[@ImFromDriftwood]

Thanks! The new opening music (which we started using in August 2022) is an updated version of our previous opening music, which is from the song "Rooster's Crow" by Martin Zellar & The Hardways

[@src3360]

@@ImFromDriftwood Hey thanks, ill go listen and see if it brings anything up.... memory wise lol

[@robertsamuel-wd9tj]

I’m gay and I love you

[@1aikane]

Good that the military's rules have changed. The rules/laws have changed, but the culture hasn't. Gay Soldiers relay doors are closed for them for upward promotional potential. It takes time

[@galvinstanley3235]

Why do guys that are gay,feel the need to tell everyone?I don't go around telling people I'm straight.

[@1aikane]

@@galvinstanley3235 we can all tell that from here

[@louisdewit4429]

I am Dutch and met quite a few USA 🇺🇸 military Gay men in Amsterdam, where i live, and NY during the eighties. The ones who visited then Gay capital of Europe, Amsterdam during the weekend were based in Germany. Already then, if you’d take all Gay men and women out of the military there wouldn’t be a US army left to speak of. In Britain 🇬🇧 the same issues applied. Until Gay helicopter and plane pilots started a protest about one of the Gay man being fired. The whole shit was quickly altered. Otherwise No Brittanica ruling any wave. I lived in Israel 🇮🇱 for a while. Military service compulsory and many sign up for longer. I knew many Gay military. In the Netherlands 🇳🇱 during my youth, ‘80, army duty was also compulsory. They made leaflets for Gays who wanted to use their being homo ad an excuse to get out of it. Passed the leaflet stating: ‘ 6:40 ‘The Dutch army and homosexuality’. You had to go. I had no problem with it. I did not mention anything but an fairly sure they guessed with my dyed blond hair. Did half of my service for UN in Lebanon 🇱🇧. LOVED it. The work, driving around the Lebanon, having time off in Israel. Traveling to Egypt. And loved the companionship. What this rather wonderful man describes about losing his years long partner and which way is devastating. AND his mention that easily things can worsen. Our Bigot enemies are not sleeping. Coming from ALL directions. Think of O’Shae Sibly. He did not get the attention G. Floyd got. Even worse. Almost ALL the comments on the YT video took a stance against the innocent and FIERCE Gay guys. Basically saying: The Gays should have known their place and kept quiet. Well … NO MORE ! 🌈

[@gregblair5139]

If you interpret the term "don't ask, don't tell" literally, you should not have to worry about being "found out."

[@algiles881]

I am afraid the military Establishment annoys me - they wouldn't give a damn what you were if there was a war on , but other times they had these judgemental tones. It is like in the UK - we had conscription until the early 60s. It wouldn't have bothered them if you were gay (though they no doubt would have punished you if you were caught), and you have to wonder how many gay men were killed in World War 2 and Korea - we will never know, but you can be sure that the poor lads who lost their lives were not all 100% straight.

[@scottw6704]

I'm convinced that people's problem with gayness isn't the sex part of it, but that they equate being gay with being effeminate. Effeminacy is the black sheep here. In the mid-20th century, there were many, many, MANY homosexual men who honestly felt that because they liked sex with guys but weren't effeminate, that meant they weren't gay. And they would claim this their entire lives. These days that group has kind of developed into a subset of gay men - the "lumbersexuals" is included here. Blue-collar, manual labor, physically imposing guys who enjoy being around men like themselves. They identify as gay but others can't tell by just looking. They/we are truck drivers, construction workers, farmers, cops, soldiers, firemen (all of the Village People lol), bikers, coaches, athletes... and we pride ourselves on our masculinity; we just happen to be attracted to men. It's great to have more visibility for people like us who get extremely sick of the stereotyping. Sure, there are lots of effeminate gay men. Those are the ones the news cameras hone in on during Gay Pride events and the like. So the stereotype is perpetuated, and the uncultured continue to think that we are all drag queens or something. No attention is paid to the callused-hand farmer in Carhartts and his John Deere cap walking down the street with his truck driver husband because why? It's assumed that's a couple of straight guys. It's both a backhanded compliment and a frustration at the same time. I had a point, what was it...oh. Other masculine gay guys like James would do the whole lot of us a big favor by being more vocal and upfront. People should know that we exist, and it's not just "fems" that comprise the gay male community. We are all over the masculine/feminine spectrum!!!

[@ramabaiapparao8801]

For all mankind

[@MedullarisConus]

Hey handsome 😘 ❤❤❤❤

[@micheal6901]

Well spoken & groomed. They took you out, because they were gay too.