Mr. Solly Mack gave a class today on the new guidelines under DADT

[Solly Mack]

He said it went well. The group was mainly young soldiers, sprinkled with some older ones. The soldiers were - overall - positive and receptive - and that they saw any potential problems the same way they see the problems between heterosexuals....such as:


If someone is constantly hitting on you and making you uncomfortable the mechanisms are already in place to deal with sexual harassment - that such behavior is a harassment issue and not about being homosexual. Also, that harassing someone for being gay is sexual harassment.


The soldiers talked about how being attracted to someone you work with is the same for everyone - you are or you aren't interested, and that when someone ask you for a date you either say yes or no and that's that. Same social rules of dating apply to everyone.


Relationship talk in the workplace can make anyone uncomfortable whether they are gay or straight and all people should be respected. If someone doesn't want to hear you talk about your relationship, then refrain from talking to them, whether you're gay or straight. Again, their focus wasn't on how being gay would change things but on how social rules were already in place that apply to everyone.

How being GLBT isn't a choice.



On the negative side...

There was a heated debate when a soldier mentioned segregating soldiers by sexuality - which was shot down. People acknowledged that bigots would be a problem, as the Army does have its share of bigots, but that segregation didn't make any sense since everyone already knows there are gays in the military and it's not a problem now.


A soldier mentioned knowing "someone" who would "beat gays up" - and Mr. Solly Mack wondered if that was a case of "I have this friend". Another soldier mentioned that legal mechanisms were already in place to deal with criminal assaults and conveying a threat. Being gay isn't the crime - attacking another soldier is...


The class wasn't meant to be an in-depth discussion on the repeal but to make soldiers aware of the new guidelines put out by Gates in March of this year. The class was taught in the context of what the current law is (as it had to be) - and the current law is DADT - but allowed for some discussion (there always a time consideration for these classes). The above is a brief summary of some of the comments made by the soldiers in the class.





Mr. Solly Mack also used "Sexual Orientation and Youth: A Primer for Principals, Educators, and School Personnel" - a publication endorsed by several organizations to include the National Education Association and the American Psychological Association.

[Hell Hath No Fury]

1. Fantastic!

It sounds like he really hit all the right points in his presentation. :hi:

[Solly Mack]

6. He wanted to do a more hard-hitting type of class to challenge

stereotypes but knows it will have to be a process...to lead instead of push, so to speak...in the right direction. He has to teach according to the laws and regulations in place. From everything he said the response was positive and the soldiers more accepting than (some) politicians/people like to claim....which has been our experience over the years. It just isn't the big deal the hate-mongers like to claim it is...

Thanks, HHNF!

[TheWraith]

2. Kicked and recommended. nt

[Solly Mack]

9. Thanks, TheWraith

[mitchtv]

3. thanks to Mr.

Job well done

[Solly Mack]

8. I'll pass that along to him.

Thanks

[Ichingcarpenter]

4. Kick recomend way to go! N/T

[Solly Mack]

7. I'll tell him you said so. :)

[G_j]

5. K&R

:applause:

[Solly Mack]

10. Hey G_j

Thanks!

:hi:

[G_j]

13. any time

:hi:

[nadinbrzezinski]

11. Good job

[Solly Mack]

12. He gives the class twice a year. This one was different because of the new guidelines

and repealing DADT being in the news.

Usually the soldiers listen and leave...this time they wanted to talk some. A positive sign overall. Course, Mr. Solly Mack presents his classes in a manner that encourages talk.

I'm on the lookout for my opinion survey on repealing DADT. The report is due in December and it takes time to send surveys out and get them returned.

If I don't get one I will lodge a formal complaint.

[BlooInBloo]

14. "legal mechanisms were already in place to deal with criminal assaults" - that's a joke, right?

With the military raping brazillions of female members and few sent to jail for it?

:rofl:

[Solly Mack]

15. To be sure, the soldier's comment does not reflect the all-too-often reality

but it was still encouraging that the soldier understood that assaulting people is a bad thing....that it is a criminal action. It showed a recognition that being gay isn't a crime - that assault/harassment is....and maybe that soldier's classmates heard the message too....and maybe it will spark conversations among their peers when they're outside of class. It's a teeny tiny step.

Maybe that soldier will be the type that will stop harassment or a potential assault from happening. It happens...doesn't make the news....but it happens.