London pride parade at public expense
 

Apparently in a DIN released today, serving military personnel are positively encouraged to take part in the London gay pride march in full uniform.

It is being classified as official duty and travelling costs etc are at public expense.

I can't think of any other circumstances, other than the obvious Rememberance / homecoming parade etc, where a parade is given this kind of official blessing.

Is it just me that thinks that such endorsement is a little ott?
(or that in this age of frontline cutbacks we employ a Lt Col as SO1 Diversity?)

In the interests of equal opportunity, are they having a heterosexual pride march and can you claim for it?

Oh goody, its the annual Military PPrune Gay bashing thread and the first two people have already started. Of course they will come back and say that they are not homophobes.

Bit of drift but flew up to Sherburn yesterday for the Wings n Wheels (excellent by the way) and came across this group. GCCG | Gay Classic Car Group UK | for gay men and lesbians with an interest in classic cars Thoroughly nice set of guys n gals. You don't even have to be gay to join.

I am sure that you could think of some if you tried - sporting events, demonstrations (not demos!) of various types, sundry civic events, etc, where uniform is worn and travelling costs met. Anything that puts the service in the public eye would seem to qualify. Personally I can't stand tennis, but over the years when Mrs TTN has been watching I've cheerfully put up with the sight of uniformed personnel at Wimbledon apparently endorsing what to me is a total waste of time.

Leben und leben lassen, I say ;)

Ratty, I think the question was: Why Official Duty and public travel for anything other than Remembrance/homecoming?
This question is not gay-bashing, and deserves an answer. It does not help any minority to regard any questioning as xxxx-bashing.

OTOH, I would have thought anything less than a half Colonel (for Diversity) would be unable to get a hearing with the powers-that be, (same principle as ranks for Chaplains and Doctors) and so that seems appropriate.

ratty1
You weren't a slouch in jumping in yourself but I don't see an answer to ShyTorque's question. Or is it a one sided PC debate?
S37, Not a homophobe.

TTN
What is the Gay Pride March if not a demo?

Mr. Toad: As penance, I shall build you a new boat. An-and wear the washerwoman's dress to the end of my miserable day. Hello, where is it? I-I left it hanging right here.
Ratty: The dress? Oh, Mole took it out before.
Mr. Toad: Mole? Really? Hm, didn't think him the type.

;):p

Good job too, at least the services are not so far behind the times these days. Me? I like the Chinese style dress, but when I was in, I would never have got away with it.

When I've seen pictures of the Pride marches many people are in fancy dress. Now maybe the rules have changed since I left but as I remember Service Uniform may not be worn at fancy dress events. Please correct me if I'm wrong.

Previous Parades have shown Service men and women marching in Service Dress with medals. Quite right, too. Helps break down many of the old stereotypes.

London Pride? If you're buying ........

coat, taxi.

:)

The Gay Classic Car Group
 

You don't even have to be gay to join.

Perhaps not but, reading the title of the club literally, it seems to suggest that your car has to be so I wonder if anyone want to update the nominations at
Gay Car of the Year [Archive] - PPRuNe Forums

Jack

Its quite pleasing to see that during the annual PPRUNE debate on this subject, the vileness seems to reduce a little bit every year.

Surely if you want to go to an event like this then go, but its taken as a days leave and at your own expense?

And yet on any thread about Scottish Independence the vileness increases substantially!:suspect:

FB:)

I wouldn't mind if there was equality.

I asked the council where I worked at the time, which was always promoting gay/bisexual/trans-gender/black/minority etc events at public expense if we could have a council promoted heterosexual white majority event? I was told in no uncertain terms that if I dared poke my white heterosexual majority head over the fence again I would have it shot off, in public.

So yes, I do object to these publicly funded minority events, especially as it's my council tax that pays for it at the same time as the majority of people can no longer have a public library because there just isn't the money to fund it.

That's not a homophobic rant but I feel that this issue has assumed the same malign life that the race issue has. Disagree with anything the gay community wants or says and they, and their do gooder allies, immediately cry "Homophobe" and any debate is stifled lest we "upset" someone.

Let's have sensible rights so as not to make a handle for true homophobes to grasp.

Right, that's that sorted. Anyone for benefit scroungers next??

Doc C

If every member of the military attends this event as is their right to do so, this would probably be the last one due to the cost. If you want a free night out in London go for it! a few of us did last year for a free night out in London. The system is there to use just like the dole and benefits.

The suggestion that if you don't support this you are homophobic is a very weak argument. Whilst I couldn't care less what consenting adults get up to behind closed doors, I do not consider one's sexual proclivities, whatever they may be, to be a matter for public promotion. To have an employer taking such an enthusiastic interest in employees' sexual preferences (straight, gay, et al) is rather creepy and doesn't cover either in glory (so to speak). This is not very dignified subject matter for the Royal Air Force to be embracing, and I am sure many will be as uncomfortable with this event as they would be with the RAF officially attending a 'straight pride' if such a thing existed.