Using a wide array of sources - including long-closed court martial records, psychiatric and personnel files, unit war diaries, films, and oral histories - Paul Jackson relates the struggle of queer servicemen of all ranks and branches of the Canadian military to fit in to avoid losing their careers and reputations. He argues that even though homosexual men were often accepted and popular within their units, if they were accused of homosexual behaviour, they were subjected to psychiatric assessments, courts-martial proceedings, prison terms, and dishonourable discharges. An influential and eye-opening study, the author has updated this critically acclaimed work with a new preface that considers depictions of soldiers serving in the war in Afghanistan and the continued silence about homosexual servicemen and women.

The first book to tell the story of queer servicemen in the Canadian armed forces during World War II and the anti-homosexual policies designed to root them out.

About the Author
Paul Jackson is a writer who lives in Montreal.

Reviews
"Extraordinary... [a] great historical detective work. Jackson's research opens up a range of questions about the soldiers' experience of war." Terry Copp, author of Fields of Fire: The Canadians in Normandy and Battle Exhaustion: Soldiers and Psychiatrists in the Canadian Army, 1939 - 1945 "Jackson provides a window through which we can observe the application of a justice system that is often bent beyond recognition to satisfy the objectives of those who wield power. Jackson writes in a clear, convincing, and easy-to-read manner. It is evident that he has a passion for this topic." Lieutenant Colonel Allister MacIntyre, Canadian Forces Leadership Institute, Royal Military College



Book Information
ISBN 9780773537149
Author Paul Jackson
Format Paperback
Page Count 376
Imprint McGill-Queen's University Press
Publisher McGill-Queen's University Press