Hello sailor!

This weekend's Europride in London will include for the first time a contingent of LGBT sailors in full uniform from the Royal Navy.

Britain's military does not exclude gays from serving openly but the decision to allow sailors to march in uniform, made by what is described as the highest level of the Navy, is considered a major advancement.

Vice-Adml Adrian Johns said that the decision will help more gay people to enlist.
But the sailors will be the only branch of the military allowed to march in uniform. Requests by gays in the Army and Royal Air Force were turned down.

In documents obtained by The Sunday Telegraph the heads of the RAF and the Army said that soldiers and airmen who wear their uniforms to Europride will "face punishment for bringing their service into disrepute."

The documents said that while the two branches support their gay enlistees they must wear civilian clothes at the event.

"This is line with the Army's 'Sexual Orientation Key Messages' which state that we regard sexual orientation as a private life matter," the Army directive said. "It also ensures that the dignity derived from wearing Army uniform is not in any way devalued by participation in a parade where fancy dress is likely to be prevalent."

British LGBT rights groups and Europride organizers said they were surprised by the decision by the Army and Air Force.

All three branches of the military will have recruiting booths at the event.

In the US gays open about their sexuality are barred from serving in the military under the so-called "don't ask, don't tell" rule. Legislation is currently pending in Congress to overturn the ban.

Taken from 365gay.com