Tuesday, January 24, 2006
In tonight's broadcast...
Okay, I know that I don’t normally do much in the way of commentary or discussing the news, but here is an article that I think is very worth while to read:
New Military Publication Signals Shifting Attitudes Towards GaysToday at 2:00 AM
Santa Barbara, CA - A new four-volume series on the cultural and psychological dimensions of American military life includes, for the first time, a chapter on the open service of gay troops. The chapter describes social and institutional changes needed to lift the ban on openly gay service members in the U.S. armed forces.
Experts say the inclusion of the topic in a publication endorsed by major military scholars reflects a shifted landscape on the question of military service by gays. Because a majority of junior enlisted service members now say that gays and lesbians should serve openly, according to an Annenberg poll, and because the vast majority of service members now say that they feel personally comfortable around gays and lesbians, integration is seen as a much less difficult option than would have been the case 12 years ago, when President Clinton tried to lift the gay ban.
The new chapter, "Sexual Orientation and Military Service: Prospects for Organizational and Individual Change in the United States," was written by Dr. Gregory M. Herek, a professor of psychology at the University of California, Davis, and Dr. Aaron Belkin, Director of the Center for the Study of Sexual Minorities in the Military at the University of California, Santa Barbara. It appears in Military Life: The Psychology of Serving in Peace and Combat, which was published last month by the Greenwood Publishing group. It was edited by Lt. Col. Carl Castro, Dr. Amy B. Adler of the US Army Medical Research Unit, and Dr. Thomas W. Britt, formerly of the Walter Reed Army Institute of Research.
Described by scholars as a "path-breaking analysis" of the military experience and a "comprehensive review" of factors influencing military performance, the compilation addresses the emotional impact of combat, methods of coping with war, the role of spirituality in military life, issues affecting family life, cultural diversity within the armed forces, and more. Its authors include military officers, academic experts, healthcare professionals and others who have in primary research about the personal and institutional qualities of military life.
The chapter on gay service is unique in that it examines how military culture could smoothly integrate open gay and lesbian troops. It offers "some practical issues relevant to replacing the [current] policy with one that does not discriminate against personnel on the basis of their sexual orientation." This focus is unusual since debate on the topic more commonly centers on whether known gays should be allowed to serve rather than on how to implement a change in policy. "The decision of the editors and publisher to include analysis on how to modify military culture to accommodate this policy change is an important milestone," said Nathaniel Frank, senior research fellow at the Center for the Study of Sexual Minorities in the Military. "It reflects an evolving understanding that the current exclusionary policy on gay troops is harmful and outdated, and that change is inevitable."
The chapter authors explain that compliance with new regulations-in this case nondiscrimination toward gays-will be most stable and enduring if strong leaders enforce new expectations by creating high costs for noncompliance. The initial focus of change in this case, they explain, should be the behavior, rather than attitudes, of heterosexuals; but over time, it is reasonable to expect that personnel will conform to new policies because they believe their conduct reflects their identity as members of the institution.
Source: Center for the Study of Sexual Minorities in the Military
Story is courtesy of Gaywired.com
If you are interested in buying the book and understand a little more behind the changing psychology, etc, of the military life, you can purchase it online from any major bookstore. Or, possibly even in store. But, be prepared. It is four volumes and Barnes & Noble has it priced at $300.00 ($270 if you are B&N Member).
In other news, all is pretty much the same with me these days. Trying to stay outta trouble, which is not always that easy. But I do my best. I did manage to hit the movie theatre twice this past weekend; the first time in an extremely long time! Friday night: Brokeback Mountain with Matt and Wes. I don’t normally go for the gay movies because so many focus on the stereotypes that is already perpetuated through today’s media and lifestyles. But this movie actually has some depth to it. And a message: if you have a crush or love someone, don’t be scared to tell them. Don’t live a lie…it might come to haunt you in the end.
Saturday night saw dinner and a movie with Wes. This time, Underworld: Evolution. Not as good as the first one, but still pretty spectacular. It was funny because Wes jumped in his seat several times (you do get caught off-guard at a few points). We discussed hitting the club, but neither of us had it in our hearts, plus we hadn’t had our pre-club naps. LOL Sunday ended up with a dreary day filled with chair shopping, running cable and rearranging furniture. I can say that Wes definitely has a living room now! Looks pretty nice and cozy too.
Now, time for some clarifications.
Because I have spent quite a bit of the blog dedicated to HIV, AIDS and its awareness, people have been asking if I am positive. The answer is no, I am not. It is something that has become extremely close to my heart due to such a large part it has played in the past with myself and my relationships. Plus, I am all about trying to get people to learn about something before they judge. Today’s society is all about judging without knowing a damn thing in regards to topic or person. That is something that easily pisses me off.
The other is in regards to me and a close friend who has been mentioned previously. Right now we are extremely close friends. We have not started dating, and I am not sure if that is going to happen. I know that right now, both of us have a lot going on, and the added tension it could bring in certain areas would not be very beneficial. So, we will continue to spend time with each other and discuss the rest at a later date. Not easy for me to say, but I have come to learn to not expect anything…just let the ball roll where it wills.
Today is Tuesday, January 24, 2006, and this has been your latest Ian update. Thank you, and good night.
If there is one thing upon this earth that mankind love and admire better than another, it is a brave man, -- it is the man who dares to look the devil in the face and tell him he is a devil.
-- James A. Garfield
The gem cannot be polished without friction, nor man perfected without trials. -- Chinese proverb
Two roads diverged in a wood, and I - I took the one less traveled by, And that has made all the difference. -- Robert Frost (1875-1963) American Poet
Lesson from the Dalai Lama: “Take into account that great love and great achievements involve great risk.”
¶ 1/24/2006 11:27:00 AM
New Military Publication Signals Shifting Attitudes Towards GaysToday at 2:00 AM
Santa Barbara, CA - A new four-volume series on the cultural and psychological dimensions of American military life includes, for the first time, a chapter on the open service of gay troops. The chapter describes social and institutional changes needed to lift the ban on openly gay service members in the U.S. armed forces.
Experts say the inclusion of the topic in a publication endorsed by major military scholars reflects a shifted landscape on the question of military service by gays. Because a majority of junior enlisted service members now say that gays and lesbians should serve openly, according to an Annenberg poll, and because the vast majority of service members now say that they feel personally comfortable around gays and lesbians, integration is seen as a much less difficult option than would have been the case 12 years ago, when President Clinton tried to lift the gay ban.
The new chapter, "Sexual Orientation and Military Service: Prospects for Organizational and Individual Change in the United States," was written by Dr. Gregory M. Herek, a professor of psychology at the University of California, Davis, and Dr. Aaron Belkin, Director of the Center for the Study of Sexual Minorities in the Military at the University of California, Santa Barbara. It appears in Military Life: The Psychology of Serving in Peace and Combat, which was published last month by the Greenwood Publishing group. It was edited by Lt. Col. Carl Castro, Dr. Amy B. Adler of the US Army Medical Research Unit, and Dr. Thomas W. Britt, formerly of the Walter Reed Army Institute of Research.
Described by scholars as a "path-breaking analysis" of the military experience and a "comprehensive review" of factors influencing military performance, the compilation addresses the emotional impact of combat, methods of coping with war, the role of spirituality in military life, issues affecting family life, cultural diversity within the armed forces, and more. Its authors include military officers, academic experts, healthcare professionals and others who have in primary research about the personal and institutional qualities of military life.
The chapter on gay service is unique in that it examines how military culture could smoothly integrate open gay and lesbian troops. It offers "some practical issues relevant to replacing the [current] policy with one that does not discriminate against personnel on the basis of their sexual orientation." This focus is unusual since debate on the topic more commonly centers on whether known gays should be allowed to serve rather than on how to implement a change in policy. "The decision of the editors and publisher to include analysis on how to modify military culture to accommodate this policy change is an important milestone," said Nathaniel Frank, senior research fellow at the Center for the Study of Sexual Minorities in the Military. "It reflects an evolving understanding that the current exclusionary policy on gay troops is harmful and outdated, and that change is inevitable."
The chapter authors explain that compliance with new regulations-in this case nondiscrimination toward gays-will be most stable and enduring if strong leaders enforce new expectations by creating high costs for noncompliance. The initial focus of change in this case, they explain, should be the behavior, rather than attitudes, of heterosexuals; but over time, it is reasonable to expect that personnel will conform to new policies because they believe their conduct reflects their identity as members of the institution.
Source: Center for the Study of Sexual Minorities in the Military
Story is courtesy of Gaywired.com
If you are interested in buying the book and understand a little more behind the changing psychology, etc, of the military life, you can purchase it online from any major bookstore. Or, possibly even in store. But, be prepared. It is four volumes and Barnes & Noble has it priced at $300.00 ($270 if you are B&N Member).
In other news, all is pretty much the same with me these days. Trying to stay outta trouble, which is not always that easy. But I do my best. I did manage to hit the movie theatre twice this past weekend; the first time in an extremely long time! Friday night: Brokeback Mountain with Matt and Wes. I don’t normally go for the gay movies because so many focus on the stereotypes that is already perpetuated through today’s media and lifestyles. But this movie actually has some depth to it. And a message: if you have a crush or love someone, don’t be scared to tell them. Don’t live a lie…it might come to haunt you in the end.
Saturday night saw dinner and a movie with Wes. This time, Underworld: Evolution. Not as good as the first one, but still pretty spectacular. It was funny because Wes jumped in his seat several times (you do get caught off-guard at a few points). We discussed hitting the club, but neither of us had it in our hearts, plus we hadn’t had our pre-club naps. LOL Sunday ended up with a dreary day filled with chair shopping, running cable and rearranging furniture. I can say that Wes definitely has a living room now! Looks pretty nice and cozy too.
Now, time for some clarifications.
Because I have spent quite a bit of the blog dedicated to HIV, AIDS and its awareness, people have been asking if I am positive. The answer is no, I am not. It is something that has become extremely close to my heart due to such a large part it has played in the past with myself and my relationships. Plus, I am all about trying to get people to learn about something before they judge. Today’s society is all about judging without knowing a damn thing in regards to topic or person. That is something that easily pisses me off.
The other is in regards to me and a close friend who has been mentioned previously. Right now we are extremely close friends. We have not started dating, and I am not sure if that is going to happen. I know that right now, both of us have a lot going on, and the added tension it could bring in certain areas would not be very beneficial. So, we will continue to spend time with each other and discuss the rest at a later date. Not easy for me to say, but I have come to learn to not expect anything…just let the ball roll where it wills.
Today is Tuesday, January 24, 2006, and this has been your latest Ian update. Thank you, and good night.
If there is one thing upon this earth that mankind love and admire better than another, it is a brave man, -- it is the man who dares to look the devil in the face and tell him he is a devil.
-- James A. Garfield
The gem cannot be polished without friction, nor man perfected without trials. -- Chinese proverb
Two roads diverged in a wood, and I - I took the one less traveled by, And that has made all the difference. -- Robert Frost (1875-1963) American Poet
Lesson from the Dalai Lama: “Take into account that great love and great achievements involve great risk.”
¶ 1/24/2006 11:27:00 AM
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