Gays Should Be Allowed In Australia

The ban was specifically referring to gay and lesbian members of the Defence Force; the repeal of the ban was not related to transgender or intersex personnel. The most shocking part about the ban, was the ban on transgender members lasted even longer, a further 18 years, and as of 2010, transgender personnel came out and other transgender people were allowed to join the Defence Force.

Prior to 1992, the Australian Defence Force (ADF) recruits had to disclose on their application form if they had engaged in same-sex relations, as gay and lesbian people were considered a threat to the army 's morale, unity and efficiency. Yet, even after openly gay people were allowed into the ADF, it took more than a decade before the Defence Force officially recognised same-sex relationships. Major-General Gerard Fogarty, the head of People Capability of the Department of Defence, said that a member 's sexual preference was “simply irrelevant to how their careers are managed, right when they first enter the ADF and continue throughout their time of service”.

In addition, if their homosexuality were exposed, they were discharged from the army. Aaron Belkin and Jason McNichol, American researchers, made a study in 2000 and found that the lifting of the ban on LGBT+ service members in Australia had not led to any particular negative effects on troop morale, combat effectiveness and recruitment. The study also found that the lifting of the ban might have contributed to improvements in productivity and working environments for Defence Force members. I believe the improvements in productivity have continued over time and this is helping ‘closeted’ people to join the