It's pure homophobia. And yes, it IS a ban..."Don't Ask, Don't Tell" notwithstanding. Gay and lesbian Americans are banned from serving in the military.

It's homophobia...but couched in terms like "unit cohesion". Translation: straight men (and women) are freaked out at the idea of some gay man or lesbian looking at them in the shower. Which, of course, besides being laughably ignorant, is THEIR problem.

20 some industrialized nations, including Israel, allows openly gay men and women to serve in their military. I'd say that Israel certainly doesn't have a problem with "unit cohesion".

This ban is, in the words (and God help me, I'm actually quoting him) former Secretary of Defense Dick Cheney, who said of the military ban on gay men and lesbians serving in the military, that it's a "bit of an old chestnut". In that one thing, I agree with Cheney (again, God help me). This ban is a ridiculous, sad remnant of World War II. It should be lifted immediately so that gay and lesbian Americans can serve their country, OPENLY.