Gay Sailors Say Sexuality Not an Issue in the Ranks

Gathering at a coffee shop to add their views to the escalating public debate, four homosexual sailors said that they believe many of their shipmates, including their commanding officers, know or have an idea that they are gay.

And, despite the red-hot debate raised by President Clinton’s proposal to lift the military’s ban on gays, the sailors said, most heterosexuals they have encountered in the Navy do not object to serving with gays.

“The majority of straights don’t really care,” said Alex, who works in the medical field. “In fact, at my last command, my commanding officer said: ‘We know you’re gay. Just don’t try hitting on the straight people and you’ll be fine.’ ”

The men said that they believe some heterosexuals in the military who support lifting the ban are afraid to speak out for fear they will be labeled gay. “All it takes is rumor or sticking up for gays to get the Navy to investigate you as a homosexual,” said Bob, 27, an eight-year veteran.

The sailors all said that they have received top performance evaluations in their jobs, but they were still nervous enough about the escalating controversy to ask that they be identified only by first name. Two said they were ordered by commanding officers not to discuss the controversy while on base and in uniform.

Being gay “is always in the back of your mind,” said Mark, 26, who served in the Persian Gulf War, because “you don’t want to say or do anything that’s going to give you away.

“It really is stupid to think that what happens to my life in a few months in terms of my job depends on whether the President will put his signature on a piece of paper.” Mark, a seven-year veteran, also works in the medical field.

“I really love my job,” he said. “I want to stay in the Navy. When I enlisted, the recruiter told me that he could tell I was going to be a lifer. . . . If I do my job well, what difference should it make to an admiral or a senator if I’m gay or straight?”

On Friday, the President said that he would order the military to stop asking recruits about their sexual orientation and put court cases involving servicemen and women charged with homosexuality on hold. But the gay sailors said that when Clinton signs an executive order lifting the ban entirely, the proclamation should include an amnesty clause to clear gays of possible perjury charges, because, to join the military, gays had to lie about their sexual orientation on the enlistment form.

Randy, 24 and a six-year veteran, explained how, in his view, a gay man who wants to serve his country can survive in the armed forces.

“You almost have to have a dual personality to be gay and still want to serve in the military,” he said. “It’s painful, having to hide who you are. You go to work, do your job and go home.”

Said 26-year-old Alex: “It may sound corny, but I joined the Navy to serve my country. My father and brothers were all in the Navy. It’s a family tradition to serve.”

In a separate telephone interview, Angela, a lieutenant commander stationed on the East Coast who is a lesbian and 10-year veteran, opposed the argument that lifting the ban would lead to open acts of affection by homosexuals--and problems in the showers between gays and straights.

“That’s absolutely ridiculous. Both gay and straights are governed by the same rules of conduct. In my command, if I see straight sailors kissing or holding hands while on duty, I hammer them,” Angela said. “I’d do the same thing if I saw two gay men or two lesbians behaving the same way.”