Royal Navy
official expresses full support for gays

The head of personnel for Britain's Royal Navy expressed full support Thursday for enlisting openly gay sailors, saying that it is "unhealthy" they have been forced for so long to hide their sexual orientation. Vice Admiral Adrian Johns made the remarks prior to giving a speech titled "Reaping the Rewards of a Gay-Friendly Workplace" at a conference organized by gay rights group Stonewall, reports London's Daily Telegraph. Until January 2000, the British Armed Forces barred openly gay people from serving, but since then out service members have made great strides, especially in the Navy, which has let gay sailors "tie the knot" on its ships and will let them march in uniform at London's gay pride parade this summer. "Those individuals need nurturing so that they give of their best and are in turn rewarded for their effort,'' Johns told the conference about the Navy's gays and lesbians. "Nurture includes the freedom to be themselves. Our mission is to break down barriers of discrimination, prejudice, fear, and misunderstanding.'' He added that since consulting with Stonewall in 2004, "policy has shifted toward creating an environment where gays and lesbians can now feel free to 'come out' if they wish, without fear of being harassed or bullied.'' Johns is in charge of the Royal Navy's 39,000 members. (The Advocate)