Wow. The Marines not only have a magazine cover that says, “We’re Gay, Get Over It,” but one day after “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell” ends, Marine recruiters are at a Tulsa gay community center recruiting. WTF? What is going on here?
This NYT article explains:
Although Marines pride themselves on being the most testosterone-fueled of the services, they also ferociously promote their view of themselves as the best. With the law now changed, the Marines appear determined to prove that they will be better than the Army, Navy, Air Force and Coast Guard in recruiting gay, lesbian and bisexual service members.
A friends says this is just an example of their usual forceful mindset. True, but they are who they are, too, and sometimes we need forceful. I am grateful to have those who study how to do it well so people like me can hold up the other touchy-feely side. I think a healthy society needs both.
I am deeply touched to have their relentlessly gung-ho spirit on my side for the first time in my life. Decades of hearing disdain and disgust from a branch of the US government has been difficult. Thanks to the military leaders who are slowly restoring my respect.
