WORLD NEWS/ UK WELCOMES GAY SOLIDER

A 21-year-old member of the 2nd Royal Tank Regiment (2RTR) has become one of the 1st British openly gay soldiers serving in a major conflict. And the UK media and public have embraced him. Trooper Ben Rakestrow, who has just completed his operational tour of service in Helmand province, Afghanistan spoke to the press about coming out to his colleagues. "It was difficult to start with," he said. "I didn't know how they'd react," he said. Rakestrow came out to his colleagues while on a training exercise on Salisbury Plain, Wiltshire. He arrived late for exercises one morning after going out to a nightclub with a friend who knew he was gay. When Rakestrow arrived, he said: "The lads all asked if we'd had any luck, then at least our late arrival would have been worth it. I just said, 'His name was Ryan'. Some of their faces dropped, and asked if I was serious. They couldn't believe it." Until 1999, it was illegal to be gay within the British armed forces. The Government was forced to change the law as a result the European Convention on Human Rights. The British Army has a policy of respect. According to a General:  "One of the Army’s six Core Values is 'Respect for Others' and it is therefore our absolute duty to treat our fellow soldiers as we would wish to be treated ourselves. Discrimination against those in the Army who are lesbian, gay and bisexual does not give them a chance to contribute or to play a full part in the teams that are vital for our success on operations.Respecting others is therefore part of the trust that has to exist between soldiers, and the nation’s values of tolerance, decency and quality must be reflected in the Army." Rakestrow's advice to fellow gay soldiers who have yet to come out: "If you're confident tell your mates. But the important thing is to tell them when it feels right." But he said he'd rather not date any of his fellow soldiers: "I've got to work with these guys every day." The UK press have greeted Mr Rakestrow's decision to speak openly about his sexuality with acclaim. The Daily Mirror in a leader opinion article said: "Our brave forces in Afghanistan include soldiers who are gay and we applaud Trooper Ben Rakestrow's honesty.His military comrades have no problem with the serviceman's sexuality and nor should we. What counts is ability and courage, and Rakestrow has proved he has that in spades. The military is a unit that relies on everyone working together. Trooper Rakestrow is an honourable member of that team."