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Discharged for Homosexuality from the Canadian Military: Health Implications for Lesbians

PO Box 4400, Department of Psychology, University of New Brunswick, Fredericton, New Brunswick, Canada E3B 5A3, carmen{at}unb.ca

Lynne Gouliquer

PO Box 4400, Department of Psychology, University of New Brunswick, Fredericton, New Brunswick, Canada E3B 5A3, mgouliqu{at}unb.ca

Jennifer Moore

P.O. Box 4400, Department of Psychology, University of New Brunswick, Fredericton, New Brunswick, Canada E3B 5A3, jenmoore{at}unb.ca

This study examines the short- and long-term psychological, physical and social health implications associated with pre-1992 investigations and eventual discharge of Canadian military servicewomen for reasons of homosexuality. Theoretically, it sheds light on the impact of the intersection between sexism and heterosexism. The feminist psycho-social ethnography of the commonplace methodology was utilized. The study draws on in-depth semi-structured interviews with 13 former military personnel who self-identified as lesbian. While in the military, study participants were persecuted and forced to adopt various cognitive and behavioural coping strategies to avoid being found out and discharged by the military’s Special Investigative Unit. Women reported that the relentless military surveillance, ongoing risk evaluation, and identity hiding contributed to psychological, physical and social health effects, including high stress, physical exhaustion, depression, substance abuse and social isolation. The criminal code’s definition of torture and the literature regarding the effects of stalking on victims provide context for the results. The discussion presents policy recommendations aimed at repairing the psychological damage that discharged lesbian service members suffered.

Key Words: Canadian military • heterosexism • lesbian • LGBT • workplace discrimination

Feminism & Psychology, Vol. 19, No. 4, 496-516 (2009)
DOI: 10.1177/0959353509342772


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