San Francisco Public Library

One of the boys, homosexuality in the military during World War II, Paul Jackson

eng

Includes bibliographical references (pages 321-334) and index

illustrations

index present

non fiction

One of the boys

bibliography

501136279

Paul Jackson

"Homosexuality and military service have made strange bedfellows over the last hundred years. Military leaders have generally seen homosexuals as unmanly, immoral, and according to the U.S. military a threat to unit cohesion, a claim that continues to prop up the controversial "don't ask, don't tell" policy. Struggles for equal rights have not been limited to the United States: during the Second World War, the Canadian military was acutely concerned with homosexuality and, as the war progressed, senior military brass became increasingly determined to rid the services of those engaged in "disgraceful conduct of an indecent kind."" "Even though homosexual men were often accepted and popular within their units, accusations of homosexual behaviour led to psychiatric assessments, courts-martial proceedings, prison terms, and dishonourable discharges. Using a wide array of sources - including long-closed court martial records, psychiatric and personnel files, unit war diaries, films, and oral histories - Paul Jackson relates the struggles queer servicemen of all ranks and branches of the Canadian military made to fit in to avoid losing their careers and reputations."--Jacket

homosexuality in the military during World War II

In search of a policy -- Military law and queer servicemen -- Military psychiatry -- Queer servicemen in Canada -- Queer servicemen overseas -- Espirit de corps, cohesion, and morale