The ultimate irony is that the prejudiced, homophobic attitudes displayed by some of the posters in this thread were the catalyst for the events that they abhor.
I may well have shared their views whilst serving, but luckily 20 years as a civilian have broadened my horizons and made me far more tolerant and accepting of others. The fact that I am a grumpy middle aged man, and not a grumpy old man, may also play a part in this of course.