Homosexuals in the Armed Forces

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Abstract
To assess possible morale and recruiting problems that might be associated with changing the military policy against admitting or retaining homosexual practitioners, a national systematic area-cluster sample of 4,340 adults and a Dallas sample of 842 were given a questionnaire concerning (1) feelings about nudity before homosexuals and heterosexuals, (2) military service and kind of discharge, (3) sharing communal facilities with homosexuals, (4) having a homosexual commanding officer, (5) having to depend upon a homosexual while under attack, (6) whether a change in policy would affect advice regarding joining the military, and (7) their opinion of current military policy. Consistent with other studies on the issue, 31% of homosexual versus 4% of heterosexual men reported less than honorable discharges. About three-quarters of the sample reported that, when disrobed, they were averse to being seen by homosexuals. About two-thirds of the men who had served, a majority of men who had not served, about a third of the women, and a minority of homosexuals felt that homosexuals should be excluded from or discharged from the military.

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