RAF officers to join gay pride march
Yep, it's even more official than the media suggests.......have just been issued with pink flying suits (with tailored waists) for our visit to the South coast this afternoon! Event organisers have informed me that I've a hotel room in Brighton.......
For 5ucks sake, great timing!
Bracing ourselves for some polite banter from the other 'members' of the Services who may be frequenting the aircrew tent this weekend.
Suits you sir!
Don't bend down when the Air Force is around, cos you'll get.........
I can hear it now.
For 5ucks sake, great timing!
Bracing ourselves for some polite banter from the other 'members' of the Services who may be frequenting the aircrew tent this weekend.
Suits you sir!
Don't bend down when the Air Force is around, cos you'll get.........
I can hear it now.
Red On, Green On
Join Date: May 2004
Location: Between the woods and the water
Age: 24
Posts: 6,487
Likes: 0
Received 2 Likes
on
2 Posts
I just listened to a Gp Capt being interviewed on 5Live.
I got the impression that the guys attending are from a recruiting team, there to spread the message about careers in the RAF, not gents who prefer gents advertising their sexuality.
As usual, one or two journos have taken this story and played on peoples fears/prejudices.
I got the impression that the guys attending are from a recruiting team, there to spread the message about careers in the RAF, not gents who prefer gents advertising their sexuality.
As usual, one or two journos have taken this story and played on peoples fears/prejudices.
Join Date: May 2004
Location: Up North
Posts: 801
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
This is surely contrary to the "social conduct" element of the "core values" espoused in that little blue AP. As I have said previously, I care little about sexual orientation and I find overtly hetrosexual displays as offensive as overtly homosexual displays. This undermines the whole premise that we should conduct ourselves in public, and in uniform, with dignity.
Will it be the Notting Hill Carnival next? Or a trip to Glastonbury, or an appearance on reality TV? Absolutely nothing wrong with these events (or indeed a gay pride march) in their context, but it would appear that they embrace the "self-centredness" that the elaborate Force Development setup appears to be trying to redress.
The only plus (if it is a plus) about this situation is that it undermines any repression of views contrary to the direction of the "new" RAF, regarding cuts and over-reliance on technology. If it is OK to appear in public, in uniform, at a gay pride march then clearly it is OK to appear in other forums and air one's views in public...PrOOne for one!
Will it be the Notting Hill Carnival next? Or a trip to Glastonbury, or an appearance on reality TV? Absolutely nothing wrong with these events (or indeed a gay pride march) in their context, but it would appear that they embrace the "self-centredness" that the elaborate Force Development setup appears to be trying to redress.
The only plus (if it is a plus) about this situation is that it undermines any repression of views contrary to the direction of the "new" RAF, regarding cuts and over-reliance on technology. If it is OK to appear in public, in uniform, at a gay pride march then clearly it is OK to appear in other forums and air one's views in public...PrOOne for one!
Pink pr00ne, the idea of buggery utterly appalls me. What those who are that way inclined do with each other is up to them, but it will never be considered acceptable by me. Or, I suspect, by most folk in the Mil. Not that they should be persecuted though.
So why homosexuals should prance about pretending to be proud of it I cannot begin to understand. If they shut up and do whatever they do behind closed doors that's one thing, blatantly queening about expecting people to accept it as in some way normal is totally another.
(Mind you, it was quite fun just after Pink Wednesday to spoof the Boss by pointing to some Space Cadet wandering past and saying "Nice ar$e on that, eh Boss?" whilst trying to keep a straight face!
. Fortunately he knew I was taking the pi$$! )
So why homosexuals should prance about pretending to be proud of it I cannot begin to understand. If they shut up and do whatever they do behind closed doors that's one thing, blatantly queening about expecting people to accept it as in some way normal is totally another.
(Mind you, it was quite fun just after Pink Wednesday to spoof the Boss by pointing to some Space Cadet wandering past and saying "Nice ar$e on that, eh Boss?" whilst trying to keep a straight face!
. Fortunately he knew I was taking the pi$$! )
Join Date: Jun 2001
Location: UK
Posts: 591
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
It's interesting to read so many deeply insightful and well informed postings, by people who state they neither know nor wish to know anything about the subject. So, to sum up, being a homosexual is about nothing but buggery and buggery is practiced exclusively by homosexuals, all of them, except when they're too busy prancing around.
Join Date: Mar 2003
Location: Tir Na n'Og
Posts: 41
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
I'm assuming you "lovely" Crabs will now have the decency to knock all the "Gay Navy" jokes on the head now!!
I think we should have more "homosexually orientated personnel" in the armed forces! At least they can dress well, and dance!
Also I think some of our stuffy old admirals should get help from the Fab Five on "Queer Eye for the Straight Guy!" Or BEagle!!
What do you reckon BEags? Up for it? It would be worth the license fee alone!
Cheers Sweeties
Lep
I think we should have more "homosexually orientated personnel" in the armed forces! At least they can dress well, and dance!
Also I think some of our stuffy old admirals should get help from the Fab Five on "Queer Eye for the Straight Guy!" Or BEagle!!
What do you reckon BEags? Up for it? It would be worth the license fee alone!
Cheers Sweeties
Lep
Join Date: Mar 2003
Location: Trumpville; On the edge
Posts: 435
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Like Beagle, I assume, I can't accept the supposed 'normality' of alleged homosexual sexual activity (pity the word gay was hijacked). However I'm quite able to shove this aside and enjoy otherwise normal relationships with 'gay' people. But why their need to assert their abnormality in public and use their profession as a platform for airing their sexuality? If these officers are to wear anything resembling the RAF uniform, then I strongly object to their exploitation of what is a symbol of National pride, and adorning themselves with what is ordinarily worn for greater purpose.
Would their Airships be happy for me to be seen on a float, in uniform, with some scantily clad page 3 girlies? No, thought not, so why appease the sausage-jockey fraternity??
TAC Int Bloke
Join Date: Nov 2002
Location: UK
Posts: 975
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
It's just another day out (No pun intended) for the AFCO - chill BEagle and co! The other attendees , after al, fit age groups they normally target.
We all thought the sky would collapse when it became OK to be Gay - it didn't, it just meant that the ladies in comfy shoes* and the chaps with a Judy Garland fixation* could stop worrying about a visit from P&SS
*stereotypes used for comic effect
We all thought the sky would collapse when it became OK to be Gay - it didn't, it just meant that the ladies in comfy shoes* and the chaps with a Judy Garland fixation* could stop worrying about a visit from P&SS
*stereotypes used for comic effect
Jindabyne,
Is that supposed to be some kind of insult? Am I supposed to be mortally offended if I am straight but am mistaken for being Gay?
BEagle,
I think you’ll find a far larger percentage of the population practice buggery than you imagine, sexual orientation has very little to do with it, the fact that it appalls you personally is neither here nor there.
Discrimination is just that, be it racial, sexual, ageism or whatever, make these sort of childish sniggering remarks about black folk and you would find yourself in hot water, why should it be any different for sexual orientation
Unless of course you are all a wee bit scared of it, just like the average “queer basher” invariably turns out to be.
Is that supposed to be some kind of insult? Am I supposed to be mortally offended if I am straight but am mistaken for being Gay?
BEagle,
I think you’ll find a far larger percentage of the population practice buggery than you imagine, sexual orientation has very little to do with it, the fact that it appalls you personally is neither here nor there.
Discrimination is just that, be it racial, sexual, ageism or whatever, make these sort of childish sniggering remarks about black folk and you would find yourself in hot water, why should it be any different for sexual orientation
Unless of course you are all a wee bit scared of it, just like the average “queer basher” invariably turns out to be.
Join Date: Feb 2003
Location: earth
Posts: 1,397
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Each to their own - with consent, of course - that's what freedom is. However, displaying it all in public seems a bit OTT to me. I guess the PC brigade are happy with a gay pride march but would they be at all happy with a British Pride March in our multicultural society?
soddim,
You make a fair and valid point, I expect not.
Still, if a minority is repressed and suppresssed, as many were for decades, then they are entitled to be treated differently.
You make a fair and valid point, I expect not.
Still, if a minority is repressed and suppresssed, as many were for decades, then they are entitled to be treated differently.
I don't own this space under my name. I should have leased it while I still could
I understand the float will be manned by recruiters masquarading under false colours.
There is no presumption that they are entitled to pink.
There is no presumption that they are entitled to pink.
Join Date: Jun 2001
Location: UK
Posts: 591
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Gay pride festivals can appear OTT, but then, most people's perception of them is gleaned from the TV news, which normally shows a bit of footage of some outrageous 18 stone tranny, dressed as a nun, as opposed to the thousands of ordinary people who attend. Many gay people (shock horror) wouldn't be seen dead at a gay pride bash and many straight people wouldn't miss one.
On balance, I cannot see any harm in fielding an AFCO team (or, for that matter, a marching contingent) at Manc Pride . It isn't a political event, in the ordinary sense of the term. We send RAF resources to events that could be considered far more political (display ac to arms shows, for example).
soddim
We take part in "British Pride" events all the time (eg The Queen's Golden Jubilee celebrations) .
On balance, I cannot see any harm in fielding an AFCO team (or, for that matter, a marching contingent) at Manc Pride . It isn't a political event, in the ordinary sense of the term. We send RAF resources to events that could be considered far more political (display ac to arms shows, for example).
soddim
We take part in "British Pride" events all the time (eg The Queen's Golden Jubilee celebrations) .
Join Date: Apr 2003
Location: sunny south
Age: 52
Posts: 32
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Gay pride festivals can appear OTT, but then, most people's perception of them is gleaned from the TV news, which normally shows a bit of footage of some outrageous 18 stone tranny, dressed as a nun, as opposed to the thousands of ordinary people who attend.
So the Merlin squadron will be hosting events
So the Merlin squadron will be hosting events
Join Date: Jun 2002
Location: Andover, Hampshire
Posts: 352
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
I wonder are the Officers manning the float volunteers? If they are not, can they refuse to take part on the grounds of being given an unreasonable or unlawful order???
Nice to see that the Air Farce are going to show their true colours on the float.
Did someone mention pink?
Nice to see that the Air Farce are going to show their true colours on the float.
Did someone mention pink?
Join Date: Feb 2003
Location: earth
Posts: 1,397
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Scud-U-Like,
I take your point - there are a lot of events where we can show our pride in our country but none of them are billed as 'British Pride' events. This one is billed as a 'gay pride' event. I can perceive the difference.
I take your point - there are a lot of events where we can show our pride in our country but none of them are billed as 'British Pride' events. This one is billed as a 'gay pride' event. I can perceive the difference.
Join Date: Jul 2004
Location: Longton, Lancs, UK
Age: 80
Posts: 1,527
Likes: 0
Received 1 Like
on
1 Post
prOOne
Do calm down old chap - of late you seem to bridle very quickly. No insult intended, merely playful banter, which is what we're mostly about on this forum. We can all hold firm views, but do try not to be so overbearing - swop a little of the courtroom for a bit of your old cockpit (oops, not a good PC choice of word in this debate).
As for buggery, of whatever partnership, each to his/her own. I personally give it a miss, if you get my point. Of interest, M'lud, when was it given legality? And telling BEagle his view is neither here nor there is terribly pompous.
If you digested my previous comments you would know my attitude to homosexuality. We will hold a different view,
and if you regard mine as bigotry, so be it - I'm comfortable with my opinion. With regard to insults, I would be extremely offended if you branded me with racism - and as for agesim, I'm beyond reproach! I do not hold homosexuals or lesbians in a discriminatory light - I simply think that they should be discreet with their sexual behaviour, as most of us do, whatever we choose to do in bed! Why the need to proclaim?
As for being 'scared' or 'queer bashing', that's a silly barrack-room response, the like of which you are normally quick to pour scorn upon.
Enjoy the weekend
Do calm down old chap - of late you seem to bridle very quickly. No insult intended, merely playful banter, which is what we're mostly about on this forum. We can all hold firm views, but do try not to be so overbearing - swop a little of the courtroom for a bit of your old cockpit (oops, not a good PC choice of word in this debate).
As for buggery, of whatever partnership, each to his/her own. I personally give it a miss, if you get my point. Of interest, M'lud, when was it given legality? And telling BEagle his view is neither here nor there is terribly pompous.
If you digested my previous comments you would know my attitude to homosexuality. We will hold a different view,
and if you regard mine as bigotry, so be it - I'm comfortable with my opinion. With regard to insults, I would be extremely offended if you branded me with racism - and as for agesim, I'm beyond reproach! I do not hold homosexuals or lesbians in a discriminatory light - I simply think that they should be discreet with their sexual behaviour, as most of us do, whatever we choose to do in bed! Why the need to proclaim?
As for being 'scared' or 'queer bashing', that's a silly barrack-room response, the like of which you are normally quick to pour scorn upon.
Enjoy the weekend