How Stupid

can the Pentagon get?

HOLLISTER BARNES

Hollister Barnes' article "I Am Glad I Am Homosexual" (August 1958) stirred up much interest and controversy. It is likely that the following one will do the same. Although the Editors are convinced that the whole subject of homosexuals in the armed forces is one of grave importance both to our country and to the thousands of men and women affected, Mr. Barnes' slashing, almost intemperate approach by no means exhausts the subject. However, if it serves to arouse the general public and military authorities to undertake some clear, passion-free study of the entire problem it will have served a useful purpose.

Hollister Barnes is presently a Denverite, after having previously lived in both New York and San Francisco.

The brass down in Washington tinker with billions of dollars worth of mechanical gadgets and keep crying for more money all the time while the human element that most important of all gadgets, the thinking, intelligent individual-comes out a poor second in their plans. If he happens to be homosexual he isn't even in second place. Or any place, for out he goes. Fortunately for the welfare of our country the brass hasn't discovered yet that there are good, intelligent homosexuals in every branch of the service, and at every level. Otherwise things would be worse off in military matters than they are.

Is the Pentagon really stupid enough to think that homosexuals are the menace they are claimed to be? The old arguments are familiar, childishly so: the homosexual is a danger to the services, being especially vulnerable to blackmail, and apt to give away military secrets just any minute; he is morally weak and will corrupt his fellows; he is a coward and makes a poor serviceman; he some-

one

how has a skill at undermining group morale.

In support of these arguments we are not supplied with the names of homosexuals who did in fact go to the enemy with military secrets, through blackmail or otherwise. The overwhelming majority of treason cases, as everyone knows, have been either professional military spies or fine, upstanding heterosexuals who sold out to some sexy female. Nor are we supplied with reliable data about the moral weaknesses of homosexuals, and certainly it can never be said he has been a coward. The evidence of military history is overwhelmingly just the opposite.

The day when these arguments will stand up has long since passed. Our admirals, generals and swivel-chair deep thinkers are going to have to come up with something better, if they hope to be taken seriously. A good many people are beginning to suspect that this out-dated kind of thinking is so out of step with reality as to constitute in effect an actual threat to our