LGBT (lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender) service members have to navigate between their personal lives and military service requirements, which can be challenging due to their unique needs related to intimacy and social support. While the military is often seen as a male-dominated institution, it has become increasingly inclusive towards LGBT individuals over the past few decades.
There are still some obstacles that need to be addressed to ensure that they can fully integrate into their professional roles without feeling marginalized or having to make compromises on who they are as people. One of the main issues facing LGBT service members is relational intimacy, where they face challenges balancing their desire for connection with others while also meeting mission demands. In this article, we will discuss how LGBT service members reconcile relational intimacy with professional obligations and mission demands.
The Need for Intimacy
Intimacy is essential for all humans, whether heterosexual or LGBT, but its definition differs across cultures and communities. For LGBT individuals, intimacy means being open about one's sexuality, sharing feelings, and expressing love in various ways - physical touch, verbal affirmation, emotional connection, and shared experiences. It involves building trust, vulnerability, and commitment based on mutual respect and understanding. LGBT individuals may seek intimacy through dating apps, friends, family, work colleagues, or other platforms outside of traditional romantic relationships. They need to feel accepted and supported by those around them without fear of judgment or discrimination. This is especially important since many LGBT individuals grew up in environments where they were taught that their sexual orientation was wrong or sinful. As a result, they may struggle with self-acceptance and self-esteem, which impacts their ability to build meaningful connections with others.
Professional Obligations
Military life can be stressful, demanding, and dangerous, requiring service members to prioritize their mission objectives above all else.
Even when deployed or serving remotely, service members still need support from family and friends. According to a study published in the Journal of Homosexuality, LGBT military personnel are more likely to suffer mental health issues due to social isolation and lack of access to social supports. This is why many LGBT service members rely heavily on technology to stay connected with loved ones during deployment or other duties away from home. In addition, there are often cultural differences between civilian and military communities, making it challenging for LGBT individuals to find common ground and build trust within their units.
They might not know how to approach their colleagues about their sexuality, leading to feelings of loneliness and rejection.
Mission Demands
The primary goal of any military operation is to protect national security and defend against threats. This means that service members must always be ready to deploy at short notice and work long hours under pressure. The demands of the job can also limit opportunities for personal relationships outside of the barracks, as service members often have limited free time and resources.
Some cultures and countries where the US military operates do not recognize same-sex relationships, making it difficult for LGBT individuals to openly express themselves without risking their safety or career advancement. Therefore, service members may feel isolated and marginalized by their peers, creating additional psychological distress.
Reconciling Relationships
LGBT service members must learn how to balance professional obligations with relational intimacy needs to maintain both their physical and emotional well-being. Here are a few strategies that can help:
1. Establish clear boundaries: Set limits on when you will communicate with partners or friends and stick to them. Avoid checking social media accounts while in uniform or on duty.
2. Build support networks: Find fellow LGBT service members who understand your experience and provide support during deployment. Join groups like OutServe or other organizations dedicated to LGBT veterans.
3. Be authentic: Don't hide your identity or deny your sexuality. People appreciate honesty and transparency, so share who you are authentically with those around you.
4. Take care of yourself: Make time for self-care activities like exercise, meditation, or hobbies. This will reduce stress levels and improve overall mental health.
5. Use technology wisely: Don't rely solely on technology to connect with others; instead, use it as an adjunct to face-to-face interactions.
6. Talk to loved ones: Communicate regularly with family and friends, even if it means scheduling calls or video chats at specific times. You need to stay connected to the people you love.
7. Prioritize intimacy: Make time for romantic relationships and friendships by setting aside blocks of time each week for dates or get-togethers.
Balancing personal and professional obligations is challenging for all military personnel but particularly difficult for LGBT individuals due to the unique needs related to relational intimacy.
There are ways that service members can reconcile these demands through clear boundaries, building support networks, being authentic, taking care of themselves, using technology wisely, talking to loved ones, and prioritizing intimate connections. By doing so, they can maintain their physical and emotional well-being while serving their country proudly.
How do LGBT service members reconcile relational intimacy with professional obligations and mission demands?
Service members have to balance personal needs for social connection and intimacy with their professional duties as well as military missions. This may be more difficult for sexual minorities such as lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender (LGBT) individuals who are often discriminated against within their workplace and society at large.