Date: Fri, 28 Apr 1995 16:47:00 -0500 (CDT) From: Kevyn Jacobs To: "Kansas Queer News [KQN]" Subject: Salina Journal: Gays will destroy Army Morale This letter to the Editor appeared in the 4/28/95 Salina Journal: GAYS WILL DESTROY ARMY MORALE In my dictionary, homosexuality is defined as: 1. The condition of being sexually attracted to persons of the same sex. Because persons of the same sex are not anatomically built to have sex with one another, many people find this sort of behavior socially unacceptable, on the low end of the scale, to calling it abhorrent and downright sinful on the upper end of the scale. The reason doesn't matter, the attitude is there, and I doubt that we can change that attitude with legislation. The efficiency of any military is dependent on obedience, respect and morale. Military personnel are often thrown together in situations unlike those in any other job. They eat together, sleep in the same room, share the same bathroom and shower together, and for 24 hours a day. This is unlike civilian life, where you work eight hours with someone and then go home. It is my belief that, because of the attitude toward homosexuality, the morale and cohesiveness of any unit will be affected adversely if it is known that one or more persons in that unit are engaging in homosexual acts. In the military, you are taught to respect the uniform, so orders will still be obeyed and uniforms will still be saluted, but not with the same verve that accompanies respect for the person in that uniform. True respect is earned, not legislated. Because homosexuality is a sexual attraction, perhaps the situation could be likened to allowing heterosexual males and females to belong to the same unit without separate facilities. That may help bolster recruitment and re-enlistment, but may not be so good for efficiency. Signed Cliff Sellers of Salina =============================== PLEASE FEEL FREE TO WRITE OPPOSING LETTERS TO THE EDITOR AND SEND TO