SLDN: 'Don't Ask, Don't Tell' Unfairly Targets Lesbians

[davidinalameda]

http://www.365gay.com/Newscon06/03/032006askWomen.htm

Women are facing discharges from the military under “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell” at a rate nearly twice their presence in the armed forces, Department of Defense figures show.

While women comprise about 15% of the total military force, they represent nearly 30% of all gay-related discharges.

“Lesbian baiting goes back to the early days of World War II, when women began volunteering for service in what was traditionally a man’s world,” said Brigadier General Evelyn “Pat” Foote, USA (Ret.), an honorary board member of the Servicemembers Legal Defense Network.

“Women have never been deterred, however, from raising their hands, volunteering and putting their lives on the line.

[wakeme2008]

1. I do not know about NOW

but during the Vietnam War, I would guess 50% of the females in the Army were gay. That could account for the difference now too.

[soothsayer]

2. I always assumed it was close to 100%, lol. What on earth are

straight women doing in the military, lol? (Ok, ok, I know---steady job, oppty for training/education, etc.)

[politicat]

3. Straight women are often unfairly accused of being lesbian

simply because they did choose the military as a career, and it is used as a way to sexually harass women.

I've known women who have been pressured into having sex with superiors because they were told that they would be reported as lesbian if they didn't. It puts them in a damned if they do, damned if they don't situation - if she reports the sexual harassment, she gets a black mark because she's "not a team player" and is "difficult" and will probably lose out on promotions; if she refuses to have sex and declines to report the harassment, she faces a bad conduct discharge; if she does have sex with the superior, she can still be kicked out for an improper relationship.

It's still a Good Ole Boys' Club, and women still aren't wanted.