in which I say something unpleasant, incendiary and triggery about those opposed to DADT repeal

[rm]

I'm following the hearings a bit and the usual chestnut of "there will be more male-on-male rape if we allow homosexuals in the military" keeps getting dragged out.

1. There are already gay people in the military.
2. If they were going to commit rape, a change in the DADT laws wouldn't stop them.
3. Gay women exist.
4. Why do you think all gay men are rapists?

And then I go "Ooooooooooooooooooh."

Because for me, the only reasonable explanation I can find for the "all gay men want to do is rape other men" bullshit isn't the "homophobia comes from latent homosexuality" argument.

Nope, I hear this shit and I think to myself that these straight men arguing this want to rape every woman they see (whether they ever would or not). And knowing their own desires, they assume that their rape impulses are normal, and that all men, including all gay men, must harbour them too.

It completely creeps me out.

Because let's be clear: the desire to rape, regardless of gender or orientation, is not a default state, and most men aren't rapists and don't desire to be rapists.

But I am completely creeped the fuck out by our politicians that keep arguing the damn gay rape angle.

Comments

Belated comment

[alumiere.livejournal.com]

I'm playing catchup, but wanted to say this anyway...

I absolutely agree. And the other side of the straight/cis/het male angle here is that DADT enables and perpetuates rape within the ranks; we've all seen the stories. The women who were raped because they appeared too butch, the women who are forced to have sex with a squad member or they'll be accused of being lesbian and discharged, the women coerced into unwanted relationships with superiors, etc.

I don't think men in the military are necessarily more likely to commit rape, but I do see a culture of masculinity that shields rapists, that refuses to pursue charges or gives the perpetrators a slap on the wrist, that condones and in some cases encourages rape, coercion and sexual assault of the women who serve. And yet again, the politicians and the "Brass" don't want to discuss that side of the coin as being a result of DADT or consider the impact of the rapeculture within the military.