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UK Gay soldiers to be paid expenses for attending Pride marches
by amyjudd | July 2, 2008 at 01:21 pm | 753 views | 6 comments | 34 recommendations
Homosexual soldiers in the UK are going to be paid for their travelling expenses to attend Gay Pride parades, which is angering 'straight' troops as they are not allowed to claim for trips made to the Queen's Garden Party and other 'official' events.
If homosexual troops want to travel to London or Brighton for next month's gay pride parades they will get their car mileage or train tickets reimbursed to them.
Heterosexual soldiers have criticised the move saying they are not allowed to claim money for trips to important functions, including the Queen's Garden Party.
It will also be the first time Army and RAF troops will be allowed to march in uniform, Royal Navy soldiers are already allowed.
One homosexual soldier said: "Any straight guys wishing to have a ****-up in London should just sign up to go on the Gay Pride march.
"It's a no-brainer – especially if you're stationed in Scotland.
"A refusal of expenses claims would be a breach of the Sexual Orientation Discrimination Regulations. It would also be a breach to stipulate that you have to be gay to go."
A spokesman for the Ministry of Defence said: "Personnel will be considered on duty for the uniformed parade element of the Gay Pride event.
"It is normal practice for personnel attending an event on duty to be able to claim for travel expenses."
The spokesman said soldiers are not allowed to claim for trips to the Queen's Garden Party because they are not considered "on duty" when at the event.
Straight troops hit out at the move last night because they do not get the same privilege – even when they are going to see the REAL Queen.
A furious squaddie said: “A mate is off to London in his uniform to the Queen’s Garden Party but he will not be getting mileage to go. Fair, equal or what?”
Heterosexual soldiers are upset by the decision:
An RAF pilot stormed: “At first it was illegal to be a homosexual in the Forces, then it was OK but don’t flaunt it.
“Now it’s flaunt it and we’ll pay for you to attend parties in London and Brighton. I’m going to leave before they make it compulsory.”
The decision comes as men and women are being killed in underarmoured vehicles while serving in Afghanistan.
Another serviceman said: “I’m absolutely disgusted by this latest show of ‘PC gone mad’.
“I have no objection to what people do in their own time, but the taxpayer paying their travel expenses is ludicrous – especially as all we hear about in the services is cutbacks.
“The top brass have some explaining to do. It’s a very sorry state of affairs.”
Even a gay squaddie thought the ruling was unfair – and could lead to false claims.
What do you think about this issue?
July 2, 2008 at 01:21 pm by amyjudd, 753 views, 6 comments
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Most RecentMost Recommended Comments (6)
at 13:33 on July 2nd, 2008
amyjudd, I like this story. It's good stuff. "Don't ask, don't tell, and don't expect to be paid for private affairs." ;)
at 18:22 on July 2nd, 2008
amyjudd, I like this story. It's good stuff.
at 19:16 on July 2nd, 2008
amyjudd, I like this story. It's good stuff.
at 19:37 on July 2nd, 2008
amyjudd, I like this story. It's good stuff. It seems to me as if the poor old army chiefs have lost their marbles! Maybe it's their guilt at having treated gays in the armed forces so badly for so long! But it is very badly thought out. It seems to me that no army personnel should be paid for attending marches that are not explicitly about army issues and that no requests for army personnel should be entertained (this is how they put it in army-speak) that are not explictly about what the army encourages its personnel to do! How about that!
at 19:48 on July 2nd, 2008
amyjudd, I like this story. It's good stuff. When I was in the military, I wanted to display my hetro-sexuality by going to the city, dancing around, and having public displays of affection. Does the Army owe me re-inbursement?
at 20:28 on July 2nd, 2008
amyjudd, I like this story.
Now, what I want to know is - can hetero soldiers go and claim the expenses as well?
Oh, it is soooo late and I know there are soooo many cheap shots to take.
To be serious, bad policy this is. This comes from a flaming (but hetero) liberal (by Texas standards). Such preferential treatment only destroys any goodwill that may have been done. A smart, gay TommyTommie will let it be known he/she went on herhis own dime .... er tenpence....uh...whatever.