27-08-2005 11:04									#1
	British Army and RAF officially gay; Royal Navy strangely absent Get a bigger avatar today!

Army joins parade for Gay Pride

The Army will join a gay pride parade for the first time on Saturday, as soldiers march with lesbians and gay men at Manchester's Pride Festival.

About 10 uniformed soldiers will parade and man a recruitment stall.

Some 20 RAF colleagues will man a float featuring a plane cockpit - the RAF was the first armed service to join a gay pride festival at last year's event.

Festival Director Claire Turner said it was "great the Army is coming" and "showing that they welcome gay people".

She said: "They're showing that they welcome gay people and the Army is something gay people can be interested in."

The ban on homosexuals in the armed forces was lifted in January 2000.


As far as the Army is concerned, sexual orientation is a private matter and we are attending to promote the benefits a career in the Army can bring
Lt Col Leanda Pitt

Claire Turner said: "It's an example of the confidence of the RAF that they can have the cockpit of a plane on a float. Last year was a great success for the RAF.

"We hope the Army will have more involvement next year and a float as well."

Lieutenant Colonel Leanda Pitt, Commander Regional Recruiting, North West, said: "We are delighted to be taking part in Gay Pride this year.

"As far as the Army is concerned, sexual orientation is a private matter and we are attending to promote the benefits a career in the Army can bring.

"Over the three days we will be able to reach a large audience and also enjoy the atmosphere that the festival brings to the city."

Organisers expect around 45,000 at city centre events from Friday until midnight on Monday.

The Royal Navy said its decision not to attend was not intended as a snub, but was due to large numbers of servicemen and women being on leave and Manchester not being near a naval port.

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/...ter/4189634.stm

	27-08-2005 13:38									#2
	Increase the size of your Attachments

Does this mean that Phelps will be paying a visit to the UK too, after his visit to Sweden?

	27-08-2005 13:50									#3
	Suffering from ads?

Tony Blair, Phelps has a bone to pick with you...

	27-08-2005 13:52									#4
	Support Apolyton, buy Call to Power 2

Man, this Phelps guy is getting world wide attention.

When can we see the Phelps-Robertson tour?

	27-08-2005 14:00									#5
	Support Apolyton or Terrorists Win

No gay pride for the Royal Navy? That's odd for a service based, as Winston Churchill said, on rum, sodomy and the lash.

	27-08-2005 14:04									#6
	Been there, done that Support Apolyton, buy Galactic Civilizations: Deluxe Edition

quote: British Army and RAF officially gay; Royal Navy strangely absent

	27-08-2005 14:07									#7
	Support Apolyton, buy GURPS/ Alpha Centauri

quote: Originally posted by techumseh No gay pride for the Royal Navy? That's odd for a service based, as Winston Churchill said, on rum, sodomy and the lash.

Oh, they were partying alright. Somewhere, there's a leather bar that's a little over-crrowded...

	27-08-2005 14:14									#8
	Lose 30 kilos (of popups)

Gay pride is stupid.

	27-08-2005 14:16									#9
	Increase Your PM Length

You forgot, "Throw rocks at it."

	27-08-2005 14:19									#10
	Tired of ads?

quote: Originally posted by Last Conformist Gay pride is stupid.

yeah I agree.

You don't see me walking around showing my computer geek pride. I will never come out of the closet . Okay, I guess it's pretty obvious... oh well.

	27-08-2005 14:20									#11
	Full PM-box? Change here!

quote: Some 20 RAF colleagues will man a float featuring a plane cockpit

He said "cockpit" uhuhur uhuhur.

[/butthead]


In any case, nothing wierd about the navy not having a float - that doesn't mean that they aren't present in the parade.

	27-08-2005 18:07									#12
	Support Apolyton, buy Alpha Centauri

quote: Originally posted by Ted Striker When can we see the Phelps-Robertson tour?

Motto: "Dumb and dumber".