08-26-2005, 09:00 PM
Just read this article.... and felt US army shud take a cue from their british counterparts regardin their DON'T ASK DON'T TELL policy :chair: ... i believe its kinda discriminatory and believe that being Gay or Lesbian doesn't make u less patroitic and that every american has a right to serve the nation irrespective of their sexual preferences...
<span style='font-size:14pt;line-height:100%'>Soldiers join march for gay pride </span>
![[Image: _40709886_pride.jpg]](http://newsimg.bbc.co.uk/media/images/40709000/jpg/_40709886_pride.jpg)
Manchester Pride transforms the city centre into a sea of colour
Soldiers will join gays and lesbians marching at Manchester's Pride Festival on Saturday.
About 10 soldiers will be on parade as well as manning a recruitment stall and will be joined by 20 RAF colleagues, who will be manning a float.
The RAF was the first of the armed services to join a gay pride festival when it took part in the parade at last year's event.
Their float this year will feature the cockpit of a plane.
Festival Director Claire Turner said: "I think its great the Army is coming.
"They're showing that they welcome gay people and the Army is something gay people can be interested in.
"I think it's an example of the confidence of the RAF that they can have the cockpit of a plane on a float. Last year was a great success for the RAF.
"We hope the Army will have more involvement next year and a float as well." Lt Col Leanda Pitt, Commander Regional Recruiting, North West, said: "We are delighted to be taking part in Gay Pride this year.
"As far as the Army is concerned, sexual orientation is a private matter and we are attending to promote the benefits a career in the Army can bring."
"Over the three days we will be able to reach a large audience and also enjoy the atmosphere that the festival brings to the city."
The Royal Navy said its decision not to attend was not intended as a snub, but was due to large numbers of servicemen and women being on leave and Manchester not being near a naval port.
<a href='http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/england/manchester/4189634.stm' target='_blank'>Soldiers join march for gay pride </a>
<span style='font-size:14pt;line-height:100%'>Soldiers join march for gay pride </span>
Manchester Pride transforms the city centre into a sea of colour
Soldiers will join gays and lesbians marching at Manchester's Pride Festival on Saturday.
About 10 soldiers will be on parade as well as manning a recruitment stall and will be joined by 20 RAF colleagues, who will be manning a float.
The RAF was the first of the armed services to join a gay pride festival when it took part in the parade at last year's event.
Their float this year will feature the cockpit of a plane.
Festival Director Claire Turner said: "I think its great the Army is coming.
"They're showing that they welcome gay people and the Army is something gay people can be interested in.
"I think it's an example of the confidence of the RAF that they can have the cockpit of a plane on a float. Last year was a great success for the RAF.
"We hope the Army will have more involvement next year and a float as well." Lt Col Leanda Pitt, Commander Regional Recruiting, North West, said: "We are delighted to be taking part in Gay Pride this year.
"As far as the Army is concerned, sexual orientation is a private matter and we are attending to promote the benefits a career in the Army can bring."
"Over the three days we will be able to reach a large audience and also enjoy the atmosphere that the festival brings to the city."
The Royal Navy said its decision not to attend was not intended as a snub, but was due to large numbers of servicemen and women being on leave and Manchester not being near a naval port.
<a href='http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/england/manchester/4189634.stm' target='_blank'>Soldiers join march for gay pride </a>
