‘Gays’ In The Army (Press, 31 July 1985)

In a letter to the editor published on 31 July 1985, Paul Maling responds to Varian J. Wilson's recent remarks regarding military leadership and the presence of homosexuals in the Army. Maling counters Wilson's assertion that Kitchener was "useless as an executive head," by suggesting that military authority is often viewed negatively by those who do not see soldiers as mere pawns. He cites Lieutenant-Colonel Rivers as an example of someone who holds such a view. Maling emphasizes that homosexual individuals are more prevalent in the Army than Wilson acknowledges, suggesting that they exist across a spectrum of ranks. He references the Kinsey Report and historical contexts, such as ancient Greece, to illustrate that homosexuality has long been a part of military life. He points out that being homosexual does not exclude the possibility of being heterosexual. He also critiques Wilson's interpretation of ancient Greek attitudes towards women, arguing that such interpretations arise from a misunderstanding rooted in modern perspectives. Maling references H. D. F. Kitto's earlier work to debunk the myth that ancient Greeks despised women, implying that Wilson's conclusions are simplistic and historically inaccurate. In wrapping up his letter, Maling expresses a need for a more nuanced understanding of sexuality in the military and historical interpretations around gender roles.

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