ABSTRACT
The institutionalized discrimination suffered by Lesbian, Gay & Bisexuals (LGBs) in the US military must be stopped. Federal law on homosexuality in the US military continues to put the full resources of the government to the task of creating and maintaining prejudice, discrimination, and violence against LGBs. Some studies have even noted a correlation between lifting the ban and reduction in gender discrimination and sexual harassment in the military. LGBs have been allowed to join US quasi-military organizations such as police and sheriffs' departments. The military argues that the presence of openly LGB people in the services would be harmful to unit cohesion by disrupting the bonds of trust between service members. The difference between the military definition of unit cohesion and the social science definition of cohesion is important. The military has played an important role in broadening the sociocultural perspectives of the US population. Military personnel have had a long history of interracial and intercultural marriages.
