When 'Inclusive' Language Actually Excludes

Filed By Sean Bugg | April 03, 2012 5:30 PM

http://www.bilerico.com/2012/04/when_inclusive_language_actually_excludes.php

Just caught this story of anti-gay abuse by a drill sergeant over at Instinct, and it raised some red flags regarding the ongoing problems of using "gay" and "LGBT" interchangeably. First, the story: an Army drill sergeant engaged in a campaign of harassment language-matters.jpegagainst an unnamed gay soldier, including rock throwing, physical choking and firing of blanks at close range. After some straight fellow soldiers "came out" and received the same treatment, the drill sergeant was investigated, he was removed from duty and all kinds of ->-bleeped-<-storm are apparently headed his way.

In all, good story about how the overall military culture is changing and adapting in the wake of repeal of DADT. Here's the wrap-up graf at Instinct:

    Lt. Dan Choi brought this story to our attention, and we have to say, we're impressed by the steps the US Military is taking to make it an LGBT friendly environment. It's great to see they're making an effort to weed out the bad apples. And how about those straight allies in uniform? Well done, Sirs.

So, here's the problem.