Lesbilicious - the web’s tastiest lesbian magazine

Eight years ago the British army sacked soldiers for being gay; now the army has joined the navy and airforce to actively promote gay rights.

The army has become the 400th employer to adopt Stonewall’s Diversity Champions programme. As a member of the programme, the army pledges to promote equal treatment and good working conditions for all existing and potential lesbian, gay and bisexual employees.

General Sir Richard Dannatt, Chief of the General Staff, said: “One of the Army’s six Core Values is ‘Respect for Others’ and it is therefore our absolute duty to treat our fellow soldiers as we would wish to be treated ourselves.”

He added, “Discrimination against those in the Army who are lesbian, gay and bisexual does not give them a chance to contribute or to play a full part in the teams that are vital for our success on operations. Respecting others is therefore part of the trust that has to exist between soldiers and the Nation’s values of tolerance, decency and quality must be reflected in the Army. We look forward to working with Stonewall.”

The change in the law which made it illegal for the army to sack soldiers for being gay came after prolonged campaigning from Stonewall.

Meanwhile in the USA, lesbians are disproportionately affected by the ‘don’t ask, don’t tell law which allows gay people to serve in the armed forced as long as they’re not out, and the US army prefers to employ terrorists and rapists to gay people.

Posted in: Campaigns & Politics |