While “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell” may have been successfully repealed over a year ago, the Pentagon has been dragging its combat boots when it comes to repealing its ban on LGBT sites.
According to AmericaBlog, the Department of Defense has an internet safe-surfing filter specifically designed to block LGBT websites — something the Pentagon was notified of as early as summer 2012.
Censorship apparently varies depending on service and geographical region, though it’s unclear why the DOD doesn’t have the same censorship policy universally.
AmericaBlog itself was previously banned under the “LGBT” category, but was later relegated, at least by the Air Force, to “political/activist”. Conspicuously absent from that category, however, are right-wing ringworms Rush Limbaugh and Ann Coulter, whose sites are free of restriction.
How about we take this to the next level?
Our newsletter is like a refreshing cocktail (or mocktail) of LGBTQ+ entertainment and pop culture, served up with a side of eye-candy.
Not only is this a blatant double standard, but Rush Limbaugh and Ann Coulter pose a greater threat to national security than AmericaBlog, Towleroad and yours truly. So if the Pentagon is unwilling to block Rush and Ann for being “political”, maybe they could at least consider a new censorship category: “whackadoo trash.”
2eo
One of the most visited sites from military installations in the US and UK is the Stormfront site.
It is not surprising they deny free speech and encourage bigotry, it’s the military way after all.
Samuel
While I think banning sexualized sites on a workspace does make sense to do it on political grounds reveals their homophobic ideology and orientation.
I am sure soldiers who want their kink, would look at sexy skinheads on the Stormfront site and get their rocks off.
jwrappaport
This kind of double standard infuriates me. In what universe is hate speech preferable to honest and frank political discourse? One controlled by the old brass and the dying embers of the GOP – that’s where. Is there someone we can write to about this or a petition somewhere?
GayBacon
I definitely do not visit this site at work. No offense Queerty, Wuv You! But there are way too many sexually oriented pics. So I use my cell or Nook device LOL that way im not on their network nor am I being monitored. I think…
tidalpool
as a retired army officer, with a partner who still works for the DOD, this story is somewhat slanted. Most military installations and DOD offices ban web surfing period. The majority of military computors are kept strictly in house. Particularly those on Conus. Our systems are under constant attack by outsiders and porn site, str8 or gay are the classic back doors used to introduce malware, virus, etc. I do know the DOD hospitals in Conus have just since this past summer been allowed to go online and utilize work appropriate sites. All computors are monitored, and should some one be watching netflix, or dink flamingo, they will be hauled in front of their superiors with in days of the infraction. I am not sure this lack of access to gay sites has much more to do with anything other then security.
Joetx
@tidalpool: Then how do you explain the access to scumbags like Rush Limbaugh & Ann Colter?
2eo
@Joetx: He won’t. There has never been an explanation as to why Stormfront is allowed yet friendly blogs are blanket banned.
Tidalpool appealing to his military background again, he thinks it brings him credibility.