gay soilder died a hero

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To think if such a conversation as to the proper analysis of the term "gay soldier" was in any other forum other than Wrong Planet, the discussion would turn into an all out flame war of "that's offensive, you suck!"

you have to admit this is a rather bizzare conversation?? expecially since the straight folks are the ones getting offended by my usage of the word "gay"

Too bad this heartfelt story about a brave young man got embroiled in childish bickering.

I agree totally.

It is that, "childish bickering" that is responsible for the progress that we are making towards fair, just and equal societies. I regret that the, "love that dare not speak its name," must scream it from the rooftops in order to be heard--but so long as it is necessary, I will continue so to do.

Scream to you're heard.

-Bill, otherwise known as Kraichgauer

My focus would have been on him being a hero.

It would be well if people studied history more carefully. The Spartans who were the greatest land warriors the world has ever produced used homosexual relations between the men to promote bonding in the ranks. At Thermopolea at least 300 heroes (actually there were others too) died and they were homosexual.

ruveyn

Interesting info!!

As well, the greatest war leader of all time, Alexander the Great, was a homosexual.

-Bill, otherwise known as Kraichgauer

His occupation was "soldier." He died in a war. It makes a great deal more sense to describe a guy who was employed by the Army to fight in wars, and subsequently died in one, as a "soldier" rather than saying, "Andrew died a hero." I'm still not sure where his sexuality comes in to play.



Nope. We could also describe him by his hobbies, or the television shows, his religion, ect. I don't know why his sexuality is more indicative of who he was as a person than the glut of other labels one could use to describe him. Is his race a less worthy label? His religion? His hair color? His weight? His favorite food?

Why not: "Gay, Coffee-drinking, Blonde, Tetris Champion, Former Little League Player Soldier Died a Hero?"



And I know plenty of gay people who don't believe there is any such thing as a "gay culture," and I know even more who believe there is a gay culture, but want absolutely nothing to do with it.



Which still doesn't explain why someone's sexuality is the most important descriptor of said person, which is what you imply by describing someone as "gay" to the exclusion any other characteristic.

Besides, it's stuff like this that casts the whole "equality thing" in a crazy light. If gay soldiers (or whatever minority) wish to be treated "equally," then why would they want to be specifically singled out as "gay soldiers?" Either you're a soldier like everybody else, or you're not. During "Women's History Month," I refuse to participate in any nonsensical ceremonies meant to honor female service members. My predecessors fought too hard to be accepted and treated like everybody else for me to be demanding "special recognition" for the amazing accomplishment of having a vagina while being in the military. Being set apart wouldn't do me, or the fight for female "equality," any good whatsoever.

It baffles me.

I said several times why "Gay" was important in the fact that he died, because his parrents are becoming a powerful voice for gay marraige because they felt as if his country was saying that "he is good enough to die for his country, but not good enough to marry the person he loves." The articles focuses alot on his parrents activism for gay rights after he died...which is why the fact he is gay is very relevant to his death as a soilder. The article is really about gay rights.

"Gay soldier died a hero; parents campaign for gay marriage" as a title would have made perfect sense.

The article you linked to was titled Soldier leaves legacy much larger than 'he was gay'. The article says about his parents, "They want people to know their son wasn't a 'gay soldier.' He was a great soldier who happened to be gay." It also says that his sister thinks it's the least interesting thing about him.

The article takes a different view than the people that are trying to say that being gay was the only important thing about him.