New UK armed forces recruits to be asked if they’re gay
By Josh Haggis
New armed forces recruits will be asked if they’re gay in an effort to increase diversity in the UK military.
Recruits will be encouraged to disclose their sexuality when they join, but will also be given the option to say they “prefer not” to say. The new measure has been introduced to help foster tolerance and equality in the UK armed forces, where gay people only begun being allowed to serve in 2000.
The information gathered, which will not be visible on personal records or to anyone in the chain of command, will be made anonymous before being collated.
“The MoD proudly encourages diversity at all levels. Service personnel are now encouraged to declare their sexual orientation,” said a spokesperson for the Ministry of Defense.
“Although this is not mandatory, collecting this data will give us a better understanding of the composition of our armed forces and help ensure our policies and practices fully support our personnel,” the spokesperson added.
The move was first introduced in November of last year, with the armed forces saying that they hope it will help make the army a more inclusive organisation, reports The Guardian.
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