Even Military Guys deserve some Personal Privacy

by Eric Dondero

Looks like the State of Vermont may have to reverse its gender neutral bathroom policies in its dorm rooms.

From Fox News:

Nineteen-year-old Jennifer Weiler filed a civil complaint last week against the Department of Public Safety, which enforces building and plumbing codes she claims were violated.

All seven of the school's residence halls are co-ed. According to the lawsuit, Weiler and others are uncomfortable with the flimsy curtains on the shower doors and men using the toilets without closing the door.

Weiler's father, Ron Weiler, told The Burlington Free Press that school officials agreed to label the bathroom on her floor "female" but males continue to use it. A college spokesman declined to comment.

The same could be applied to homosexuals in the military.

Straight men or straight women for that matter, would be forced to share close quarter bunking facilities, with members of the same sex who are attracted to them sexually.

This is inherently discriminatory. Members of the same sex will be allowed to peer and gawk at people they're attracted too in shower stalls, in bathroom facilities, and even sharing bunks.

In the Navy, in which I served, the rules and regulations governing males entering a females quarters were severe. A straight male caught gawking or pleasuring himself in or around female sailors could be sentenced to captain's mast or even court martialed.

Gays in the military? Those same rules governing sailors attracted to other male sailors would be non-existent.

In such a situation, shouldn't the young sailor, male or female, have the right to sue, so as to protect his or her privacy? Shouldn't they have the right not to be gawked at for the sexual pleasure of another? Imagine the first discinplinary action against a young straight male sailor caught peering into female quarters, after gays in the military is implemented. His defense? Simply that gay sailor "Bobby," or "Jeremy" has the right to gawk at him.

What could be more basic in life than some expectation or personal privacy in regards to bathing, hygeine and taking care of bodily functions? Even military personnel deserve some sort of expectation of privacy in this regard. If it's good enough for some college girl at a state-subsidized institution in Vermont, it's certainly good enough for our brave soldiers and sailors in uniform.

Navy Veteran, 1981-85 (hon.), 4-years sea duty, USS Kittyhawk CV-63 & USS Luce DDG-38.