BANNED FROM THE ARMY
Published by deviousdiva April 3rd, 2006 in Personal.On a different note but related to the conscientious objection post… The army wants those people who object to it to serve but does not want those who want to serve but happen to be gay.
The Greek army bars gays from its ranks under a 2002 presidential decree which excludes from military service all persons "suffering from psycho-sexual or sexual identity disorders,"
Since when was being gay a sexual disorder?
Full article here.
Well personally I wouldn’t complain - any excuse not to go, even if it’s an insulting one! I mean, it’s sexist that women aren’t drafted as well, isn’t it? But you’re not going to catch me protesting and asking to be treated equally in this case. No siree. I wonder how many men fake being gay to get out of it…
Also, did you know that men are disqualified if they don’t have two testicals? Part of their medical exam is to drop their pants and prove they’ve got two by dividing them with their finger. The logic (or lack thereof) being that if single-testicled men are injured, they haven’t got one to spare, and will not be able to perform their duty to the ‘fatherland’ by begetting children. However, this strikes me as odd cause I’d assume that, if you were injured in battle in your genital region, both your testicles would be damaged, wouldn’t they? But again, who’s complaining? Certianly not single testicled men!
Perhaps you need two testicles (and a girlfriend/wife) to fire a gun? The mind boggles. Personally, I wouldn’t complain about the army not wanting me but for some strange reason people do want to sign up. It was the whole “psycho-sexual or sexual identity disorders” that drew my eye. What era are they living in?
You guys havent served in the Army, obviously. Diva, you don't need testicles to fire a gun. But you do need testosterone and upper body strength to do many of the day to day things Infantrymen do. You ain't got it. If you think you do, load up a one hundred pound rucksack and go for a twenty mile roadmarch. Make sure you do each mile in less than twenty minutes. Also you need to carry a weapon and ammo. Starting to get the picture? You really shouldn't make silly remarks like "you don't need testicles." You know there are more differences between men awomen than that. If you do not, you are in need of a Biology Lesson.
***I HAVE REMOVED THE REST OF THIS COMMENT. HERE IS WHERE I DRAW THE LINE. I WILL NOT TOLERATE RACIST/SEXIST/HOMOPHOBIC REMARKS ON THIS BLOG. DEVIOUS DIVA
As I said in my reply to Kassandra (if you read it) I have NO desire to serve in anyones army, however, the last time I looked there were women serving or am I imagining that?
Not in the combat arms. They serve in clerical positions and supply units.
Why do you despise those who keep you free?
Um, yeah. Matt or whatever your name is, what planet are you living on? Last time I checked, on planet earth, there were plenty of tough women in the army, serving just as the men do. And anyway, if you can’t get see a bit of tongue in cheek cynical humour when it’s staring you in the face, and choose to interpret it as silly remarks…
uggh it’s not even worth trying to explain it. Just lighten up, open your eyes, and take a good look at what’s really going on in the world, instead of the twisted visions in your head.
Diva, my boyfriend says there were several gay guys in the army with him, so apparently the presidential decree isn’t taken too seriously… though the wording is nonetheless truly laughable/disgusting.
I believe that one can be both homosexual and patriotic* enough to want to serve. That said, the practicality of life for a declared homosexual (or even epehminate straight) in the Greek army (and navy and airforce) is rotten. And that I think is the spirit of the decree. It is not about physical strength (which is why I support enlistment and draft for women) but about the behaviour of fellow soldiers. Even on my second unit (a “vismatic” island infantry division) those so marked had hell to pay, from both enlisted men and NCO’s. Believe me, for the present gays should be glad of the copout…
*http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sacred_Band_of_Thebes
“Since when was being gay a sexual disorder? ”
Since the hippo in chief of the Helladic Church (Christodoulos) has called one. (”kousouri”)
If it is I would like to quote my favourite LJ avatar: “If being gay’s an illness then we should all call in gay.” I may try this at some point, but I’d have to call in queer or something.
that should say “call in gay to work.”
“that should say “call in gay to work.””
Pulling a queerkie, surely.