EXCLUSIVE:
BOMBS AGAY
RAF recruits
homosexuals in pilots crisis
By Rupert Hamer,
SundayMirror.co.uk from the Web, December 31, 2006
RAF bosses are launching a drive to
recruit gay pilots, engineers and air crew to try to solve a staffing crisis.
Chiefs will pay pressure group Stonewall tens of thousands of pounds for advice
on how to make themselves more appealing to gays, lesbians and bisexuals.
To encourage gays to join, commanders have vowed to enforce a "zero tolerance"
policy towards homophobia in the service.
The RAF is following the Royal Navy's lead in working with Stonewall.
Last night a senior Whitehall source said: "It makes perfect sense.
They have a shortfall of pilots and many other staff.
"There is a huge number of high quality gay and lesbian women who would serve
their country with distinction. But many of them feel they may experience
prejudice. The RAF is making it clear it won't tolerate such behaviour.
Gay, bisexual or lesbian people will be warmly welcomed into the fold."
Last week it emerged that more than 1,500 RAF personnel have applied for
redundancy. The service is short of 5,000 engineers, pilots, medical staff
and air crew.
The Army, RAF and Navy lifted its ban on gays in 2000. Previously gay
personnel faced questioning about their sexuality and the sack.
rupert.hamer@sundaymirror.co.uk
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