to ask if I should openly say that I am a stamp collector to my new work colleagues?
Is this a euphemism for some perversion that has yet to become generally recognised...
Unquestionably straight myself, but do know many of other persuasions. Those who are friends of mine are normal people: they do not stand out or wear their sexuality as a badge. The same goes for friends of mine who are straight as well.
In fact, those friends of mine who are not straight do more for the values of commitment, fidelity and partnership than a large number of straight people that I know. Consequently, aside from the religious point, I cannot for the life of me see any objection to gay marriage or civil partnership whatsoever.
Moving back to military life: those of you who think the military outdated in attitude to gays really have neither experienced life in some other businesses nor travelled widely enough outside the UK...