Review, books: Sailors and Sexual Identity

[stewardess]

Title: Sailors and Sexual Identity: Crossing the Line Between "Straight" and "Gay" in the U.S. Navy
Author: Steven Zeeland
Publication Date: 1995

First: this book is hot. But I recommend it because it's one of the few books on gays in the military that explores how complex sexual identity is for everyone, not just gay and bisexual people.

Each chapter is a first-person recollection from a serviceman, some of whom identify as gay, some bisexual, some straight, some not sure. All have had same-sex sexual relationships.

Zeeland advances an interesting theory: that the military fears equality for gays not because they are worried about gays enlisting, but because it will force them to be open about the strong element of homo-eroticism in the armed forces. By denying that there are gays in the military, the military can keep its head in the sand. Zeeland points out that homo-eroticism has been a part of military bodies for thousands of years, with traditions that go back centuries. It's extremely interesting and thought-provoking. Oh, and hot. :)

Comments

[stewardess]

This book also answers the question: can two people find places to have sex on a submarine? The answer is yes. :)

[damned_colonial]

I am not surprised to hear this. Not even remotely.

[stewardess]

I hope you get a chance to read it. There is also a lot of information on finding places on aircraft carriers, destroyers, cruisers... :)