General James Conway The top US Marine General James Conway claims most soldiers would prefer not to share a room with a gay colleague. Conway has been a vocal critic of plans to end the 'don't ask, don't tell' policy which bans openly gay or lesbian people from serving in the US military. He says if the ban is revoked, the Marine Corps may seek volunteers willing to share quarters with gay soldiers due to the objections of some "very religious" members. "I can tell you that an overwhelming majority would like not to be roomed with a person who is openly homosexual," AFP reports Conway told a Pentagon press conference. "Some do not object. And perhaps, you know, perhaps a voluntary basis might be the best way to start without violating anybody's sense of moral concern or a perception on the part of their mates." Conway says in some instances there will be people who believe homosexuality is wrong "and they simply do not want to room with a person of that persuasion because it would go against their religious beliefs". When he was asked why opposition to ending the ban seemed to be stronger in the Marine Corps than other armed service, Conway said it was unclear but "we recruit a certain type of young American, a pretty macho guy or gal, that is willing to go fight and perhaps die for their country." The House of Representatives has voted to abolish the 'don't ask, don't tell' law and the repeal now needs approval from the Senate. A recent CNN/Opinion Research poll found 78 percent of Americans believe gay people should be allowed to serve in the military.
Credit: GayNZ.com Daily News staff
First published: Wednesday, 25th August 2010 - 3:46pm