Sexual orientation and military service: A social science perspective.

Herek, Gregory M.

doi:10.1037/0003-066x.48.5.538

Cited by 44 publications

(36 citation statements)

References 65 publications

(57 reference statements)

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“…However, the DOD supported this position solely with anecdotal evidence (Herek 1993). The following excerpts from the testimony of retired Admiral Thomas Moorer and a memorandum from Vice-Admiral Joseph S. Donnell III provide examples of the type of evidence used to support the claim that homosexuals present behavioral risks in a military setting.…”

Section: Homosexuality As a Behavioral Riskmentioning

confidence: 90%

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Ready or Not? Homosexuality, Unit Cohesion, and Military Readiness

Knapp

2008

Employ Respons Rights J

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The U.S. military argues that homosexuals are unfit for service because their presence compromises military readiness and unit cohesion. Based on this assumption, it continues to discharge homosexuals at an average rate of approximately 925 per year. On the other hand, the extant research suggests that homosexuals are no more disruptive to military life than their heterosexual counterparts. By integrating the legal and scientific literature, this paper examines the soundness of the military's assumptions and aims to improve our understanding of the issues involved. Within this context, the efficacy of the military's "Don't Ask, Don't Tell, Don't Pursue" policy and whether it is in the best interest of the military and its soldiers and sailors is discussed.

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Section: Homosexuality As a Behavioral Riskmentioning

confidence: 90%

“…The DOD has also argued that homosexuals are unfit for service because they are more likely to engage in acts of sexual harassment and fraternization (GAO 1992a;Herek 1993). However, the DOD supported this position solely with anecdotal evidence (Herek 1993).…”

Section: Homosexuality As a Behavioral Riskmentioning

confidence: 98%

Ready or Not? Homosexuality, Unit Cohesion, and Military Readiness

Knapp

2008

Employ Respons Rights J

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“…have also been 'othered' using these terms. For years, one of the core arguments for excluding homosexuals from military service was their lack of discipline and unreliabilityit was feared that they would be a security :isk (Herek 1993(Herek , 1990. The argument here is :hat the more the masculine theme of :liscipline and endurance is emphasized, the .ess important it is to exhibit autonomy arid ndependent control.…”

Section: Volume 3 Number 3 July 1996mentioning

confidence: 99%

The Organizational Construction of Hegemonic Masculinity: The Case of the US Navy

Barrett

1996

Gender Work & Organization

363

318

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This article examines the construction of hegemonic masculinity within the US Navy. Based on life history interviews with 27 male officers, this study explores alternative discourses and identities of officers from three different communities in the Navy: aviation, surface warfare, and the supply corps. Definitions of masculinity are relationally constructed through associations of difference: aviators tend to draw upon themes of autonomy and risk taking; surface warfare officers draw upon themes of perseverance and endurance; and supply officers draw upon themes of technical rationality. Further, these masculinities depend upon various contrasting definitions of femininity. Finally, this article explores a series of contradictions that threaten the secure construction of masculinity within this military culture.

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“…Additionally, it is suggested that these hypermasculine men often avoid interactions with less traditionally gendered individuals to evade any sense of discomfort (Shawver, 1995). The literature on the social construction of gay individual's ability to serve effectively shifted towards the end of DADT, mirroring the progress of the general population in realizing equal ability (Herek, 1993). In fact, Allport (1954), Amir (1969), and Brewer and Miller (1984 as cited in Herek (1993) suggest that overall prejudice would reduce if individuals of varying sexual orientations are encouraged by their superiors to engage in positive social interactions and develop relationships as a result.…”

Section: Aspects Of Masculinity In Gay Military Menmentioning

confidence: 99%

The Experiences of Gay, Military Men and the Impact on One's Sense of Masculinity

Alt¹,

Sahker²,

Gallenberg³

et al. 2014

PsycEXTRA Dataset

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Part of the Educational Psychology CommonsRecommended Citation Alt, Marcus Christopher. "The experiences of gay, military men and the impact on one's sense of masculinity." PhD (Doctor of Philosophy) thesis, University of Iowa, 2015. http://ir.uiowa.edu/etd/1948. Lastly, thank you to all the men who took part in this study. The courage shown in sharing your experiences is truly inspirational. You were the driving force behind this project and for that I am most appreciative. THE EXPERIENCES OF GAY, MILITARY MEN AND THE IMPACT ON ONE'S SENSEv ABSTRACT Literature has offered insight into aspects of traditional masculine gender norms in shaping expectations of soldiers (Arkin & Dobrofsky, 1978;Green et al., 2010;Johnson, 2010; Lorber & Garcia, 2010;Shawver, 1995), yet there has been little consideration of how these norms affect gay identified servicemen. For centuries, military policies have made efforts to restrict gay individuals from serving openly or at all, leading to inquiry about the effectiveness of these individuals as service members and the impact on unit cohesion (Burrelli, 2012; Parco & Levy, 2010;Shawver, 1995;Zellman, 1996). The current study examines the experiences of gay service men and the impact on the expression of their masculine and gay identity while in the military. The researcher explores the definition of masculinity in the military, its role in the expression of gay sexual identity, experiences of and participation in acts of homophobia by self or others, and participants' perception of the Don't Ask Don't Tell policy repeal, as it relates to their comfort with expressing their gay identity. vi PUBLIC ABSTRACTPrevious research has looked into the how masculinity is defined in the military and the expectations that many soldiers face in trying to live up to this standard (Arkin & Dobrofsky, 1978;Green et al., 2010;Johnson, 2010; Lorber & Garcia, 2010;Shawver, 1995). There is little consideration, however, for the impact of these expectations on gay service members. The current study examines the experiences of gay service men and the impact on how they express their sense of masculinity and gay identity while in the military. More specifically, this study seeks these individuals' definition of masculinity, how it impacted their expression of being gay, and their experience in serving under polices preventing them from serving openly. Overall, findings suggest that these men identified with the military's definition of masculinity and did not feel less masculine because of their sexual orientation. Further, they continued to gain acceptance of their sexual identity while serving, but feel that it will still take several years before gays are fully accepted in the military.vii

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Sexual orientation and military service: A social science perspective.

Cited by 44 publications

References 65 publications

Ready or Not? Homosexuality, Unit Cohesion, and Military Readiness

Ready or Not? Homosexuality, Unit Cohesion, and Military Readiness

The Organizational Construction of Hegemonic Masculinity: The Case of the US Navy

The Experiences of Gay, Military Men and the Impact on One's Sense of Masculinity

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