• Aidinthel@reddthat.com
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    23 hours ago

    I’m not a fan of the US military, but as a supporter of LGBT rights it is important to acknowledge that military service has historically been an effective means of gaining public sympathy for expanded civil rights in the US. (The most obvious examples being African-American service during the Civil War and WW2.) In the context of the militaristic US culture, forbidding people from the military is inherently a clear declaration that they are lesser and unworthy.

    • Stovetop@lemmy.world
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      23 hours ago

      I am not a fan of the military either but agreed, the military is a reliable vehicle for upward mobility for many marginalized/disadvantaged groups. If the choice is between living in poverty forever or signing your soul away for 4 years in exchange for a college education you’d never afford otherwise, I can’t fault people for taking the only opportunity they are offered.

      I’d rather there be better options for people in these situations, but something is at least better than nothing.