‘Gays’ In The Army (Press, 26 July 1985)

In a letter to the editor published on 26 July 1985, Varian J. Wilson critiques Paul Maling's selection of historical figures, specifically Generals Kitchener and Gordon, as examples of gay military leaders. Wilson argues that there are better examples to consider, as he questions the sexual orientations and military efficacy of these two figures. He describes Kitchener as "wilful and devious" during his time in India and "useless as an executive head in the War Office," even though he acknowledges Kitchener's appeal as a poster figure. Similarly, Wilson portrays Gordon as a "mystical fanatic" who ignored orders and was poorly suited for his role at Khartoum, suggesting that his appointment was an odd decision by the Cabinet. Shifting focus to World War II, Wilson suggests that openly gay soldiers were not major issues and were often assigned to duties that kept them away from front-line action, such as cooking and policing, but implies these arrangements led to additional problems, like domestic disputes and minor dishonesties within barracks. He also challenges the notion that New Zealand soldiers were entirely paired off, indicating that relationships were not as simple as Maling suggests. Lastly, Wilson critiques the idea that ancient Greek soldiers were "homosexual lovers," asserting that they regarded women merely as mothers and preferred anal sex as a substitute for more emotionally connected heterosexual relationships. Through his letter, Wilson expresses a critical view of Maling's interpretation of homosexual relationships in historical and military contexts.

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