MikeK
Gold Member
I was somewhat surprised to hear the Marine Corps would be accepting gay enlistees. I was in the Corps in the mid-50s and it would have been unheard of back then and the same news would have provoked a mutiny. In fact, homosexual conduct was a serious court martial offense.
Thinking back, I recall an incident in which a Staff Sergeant from a tank battalion was busted for attempting to get it on with a PFC in my outfit (on LeJeune). It seems this Staff hit on the PFC and made a date to meet him in a vacant squad bay in the 500 Area. The PFC agreed and went straight to the PMO and reported it. The CID arranged a set-up and when the Staff showed up and offered oral sex they arrested him.
I had seen that Staff Sgt. around and once had a conversation with him in the field. He was a nice fellow and there was absolutely nothing unusual about him. After the bust the word was everyone in his outfit, where he was well liked, was completely surprised to find out he was gay (probably bi-sexual).
I also recall another fellow in my oufit on Okinawa who I realize now was probably gay but it never dawned on me back then. He was a body-builder and a real bad-ass. Nobody would mess with him but there were a few things about him that I would immediately recognize today as gay. I know better now but back then it was the furthest thing from my mind because I assumed that all homosexual males were effeminate -- which this guy was anything but.
So those are examples of two very likeable guys, both of whom were good Marines in every way, and they were gay. But the most ironic thing was the PFC who brought that Staff Sergeant down was kind of a twisty little shit, himself, and I would have suspected that he was gay rather than the Staff who hit on him.
Since then I've come to realize that all homosexuals are not flamboyant faggots who get in your face and behave like bratty girls. I've known quite a few gays since then who are really nice people and a lot more pleasant and interesting than a lot of straight men I know. But, if I were gay I certainly would not consider joining the Marine Corps because of the intensely macho atmosphere. And even if that kind of machismo might be the factor that attracts a homosexual man to the Corps he would be looking for trouble.
On the distaff side, however, my impression was the majority of BAMs were overt, in-your-face, butch lesbians and it seemed to be commonly known and completely accepted.
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