As LGBT individuals, service members often find themselves in conflicting situations regarding their identity, relationships, and institutional expectations. This is especially true when it comes to navigating military culture, which has traditionally been dominated by heteronormative values and attitudes. In this article, I will explore how LGBT service members manage these tensions and maintain their integrity while serving their country.
Let's look at the personal identities of LGBT service members. Many LGBT individuals have experienced discrimination and marginalization throughout their lives due to their sexual orientation or gender expression. As a result, they may feel ashamed or afraid to come out to others, including their colleagues and superiors in the military. This can create a sense of isolation and loneliness that can be difficult to navigate in such close quarters as the military requires.
Many LGBT service members are proud of who they are and choose to embrace their identity, regardless of how others perceive them. They may even form strong bonds with other LGBT individuals within the military community, providing support and solidarity in a potentially hostile environment.
Relationships are another area where LGBT service members face challenges. Traditionally, military life has emphasized strict codes of conduct regarding relationships between men and women, with rigid rules about physical contact, privacy, and boundaries. For LGBT service members, however, these rules may not reflect their own experiences or preferences. They may seek out relationships outside of the traditional norms or find themselves caught between conflicting desires for intimacy and duty. Some may decide to keep their relationships private, while others may choose to be open about their romantic or sexual partnerships. It is essential to remember that every person's situation is unique, and there is no one-size-fits-all solution for navigating this complex issue.
Institutional expectations also play a significant role in the lives of LGBT service members. The military has a long history of discrimination against LGBT individuals, from the infamous "Don't Ask Don't Tell" policy to ongoing debates over gender identity and expression in uniform. Despite these obstacles, many LGBT service members have risen through the ranks and made meaningful contributions to the armed forces. They must balance their identities with the demands of their job, which can sometimes involve compromising their personal values or beliefs. At times, they may feel pressured to hide their true selves to avoid confrontation or retaliation. But they often find ways to express themselves creatively and authentically within the constraints of military culture.
LGBT service members face numerous challenges when it comes to balancing their personal identities, relational attachments, and institutional expectations.
They are resilient and resourceful individuals who have learned how to navigate these tensions in order to serve their country proudly. By embracing their identities, forming strong relationships, and finding creative solutions to conflicts, they continue to make a valuable contribution to the U.S. military.
How do LGBT service members navigate conflicts between personal identity, relational attachment, and institutional expectations?
Research suggests that LGBT individuals face challenges navigating conflicts between their personal identities, relational attachments, and institutional expectations due to discrimination, lack of support, and stigma associated with being LGBT (Fassinger et al. , 2015).