British soldiers can wear uniforms in Pride parades

[ENGINEERS WIFE]

British soldiers can wear uniforms in Pride parades
Updated Sat. Jun. 14 2008 1:53 PM ET

The Associated Press

LONDON -- Britain's military says soldiers and airmen will be allowed to wear their uniforms to this year's Gay Pride march in London.

The military said Saturday it would permit British Army and Royal Air Force personnel to show off their military affiliation in the July 5 parade.

The decision brings the forces in line with the Royal Navy, which already allows sailors to participate in uniform.

Britain began allowing homosexuals to serve openly in the military in 2000. While military personnel have been able to participate in the pride march since then, soldiers and airmen have had to do so in civilian clothes.

Gay rights groups welcomed the decision. The military said it still expected its personnel to display "behaviour of the highest order'' while in uniform.

 

[geo]

OMG... that is just Effing perfect!
Relly!

Ya gotta be kidding - no ???

Please someone - pinch me so I can confirm that this is only a nightmare

Ouch!!! that hurt!

 

[daftandbarmy]

Finally! Now I can truly express myself. Is it OK to wear George boots with fishnets though?

 

[Bzzliteyr]

As long as you behave accordingly, I believe the same ruling would apply to the Canadian Forces if you asked permission and wrote the proper memo to support your request.  I would have no issue seeing a fellow military member wearing his or her DEU CORRECTLY in a parade of any sort.

As for the question of homosexuality in the CF, I could care less.  If the guy or gal does his or her job as well as any other, what do I care what sexual preference they have?? 

I think society is finally being more accepting of everyone, have you ever noticed how many older people there are at pride parades?? They finally feel comfortable enough in their own skin that they can come out of the closet.. it's good.

 

[geo]

Heh... Remember pictures of Montreal gay pride parade a couple of years back... fella was wearing a RCH (Montreal Hussars) capbadge on a biker's leather forage cap.... real nice.... front page in the Montreal Gazette at the time IIRC.

Some people were upset (RSM) but, all in all, they rolled with the punches.

 

[Bzzliteyr]

Yeah, stuff like that happens all the time, there is no way to control what civvies put as acoutrements on their pride unifroms..

But as long as the military person has authority and wears the uniform correctly (unlike many I have seen in bars on Rememberance day) I personally have no issues with it.

 

[aussiechangover]

i can't see the big issue with that, i know when i left australia for the gay and lesbian parade in Sydney the military actually had there own float (official or unofficial i'm not sure) something called G-Force, was an interesting way to see one of my classmates on the front of the newspaper the next morning.

 

[daftandbarmy]

So where do you draw the line?

Using this criteria, I assume that it's also OK to wear uniform during a variety of unofficial political rallies, protest marches, shopping trips to foreign countries, family picnics at the park, Playboy centrefold photo shoots, and local hiking vacations.

IMHO, if you're being paid to represent the military at an officially sanctioned event, then it's OK to wear the uniform. If not, don't.

I mean really, I'd at least expect the fashion sense of the British gay community to rise above #2 dress with brown oxfords.  ;D

 

[geo]

Hmmmm... If I recall, there were some reservists who got into hot water when they wore their uniforms to a "skinhead/new-nazi" event a couple of years back.... :tsktsk:

Using this criteria, would they still be serving ???

Just asking  :warstory:

 

[Strike]

IMHO, if you're being paid to represent the military at an officially sanctioned event, then it's OK to wear the uniform. If not, don't.

So, with that method of thinking, funerals, weddings, formal events etc, that don't have a military person directly involved would be out too?  Guess my wearing my uniform at my grandmother's funeral was the wrong thing to do, even though she asked my prior to her death.

And what if you were at an awards ceremony and getting recognized for something you had done that was not related to the military.  What a great time to show the colours, so to speak, and really represent.  But, given your thoughts, this would also be forbidden.

 

[dangerboy]

So, with that method of thinking, funerals, weddings, formal events etc, that don't have a military person directly involved would be out too?  Guess my wearing my uniform at my grandmother's funeral was the wrong thing to do, even though she asked my prior to her death.

And what if you were at an awards ceremony and getting recognized for something you had done that was not related to the military.  What a great time to show the colours, so to speak, and really represent.  But, given your thoughts, this would also be forbidden.

That is why as mentioned above you write a memo asking permision to wear your uniform, and if they give you their blessing you are golden.

 

[MedTechStudent]

I'm not even going to touch this one....

Law passed, and thats how it is.   :-\

EDIT: Ok I lied I've decided.  I don't think this is a problem, I just get the wrong impression because of the previous Toronto Gay Pride parades I've seen rolling through town.  I just would not want to see the British military associated with dog collars and assless leather chaps.  As long as its done in a respectful manner I think its a good idea.

 

[Strike]

dangerboy,

I completely agree, but daftandbarmy's post didn't say anything about writing a memo.  Mind you, he's on something wrt those stylish brown uniforms.  ;D

 

[geo]

... all leave authorisations have that little box to be ticked.... "authoriazed to wear uniform" or NOT.

 

[The Bread Guy]

I don't think this is a problem, I just get the wrong impression because of the previous Toronto Gay Pride parades I've seen rolling through town.  I just would not want to see the British military associated with dog collars and assless leather chaps.  As long as its done in a respectful manner I think its a good idea.

Well, we'll see just how respectful it is soon enough....
http://forums.army.ca/forums/threads/77617.0.html