Mon Sep 16 15:51:43 UTC 2024: ## US Navy Launches First “Gender Neutral” Submarine, Sparking Outrage from Conservatives
The US Navy has made history with the launch of the USS New Jersey, the first submarine specifically designed to accommodate both male and female sailors. The new vessel, unveiled last week at the Naval Weapons Station Earle, NJ, boasts features like increased privacy in washrooms and sleeping areas, as well as top bunks and overhead valves designed to be accessible to women.
This marks a significant step forward for gender equality within the Navy, following the lifting of a ban on female sailors serving on submarines in 2010. While the Navy has retrofitted older submarines to accommodate women, the USS New Jersey is the first to be designed with their needs in mind from the outset.
However, the move has sparked backlash from conservative groups, who have taken to social media to express their outrage. Many have mocked the concept of a “gender neutral” submarine, with some using derogatory language and suggesting it will make the US a laughingstock on the world stage.
Despite the outcry, the Navy has confirmed that the USS New Jersey is just the first of many “gender neutral” submarines. Vice Admiral Robert Gaucher, commander of Submarine Forces Atlantic, has stated that all future nuclear-powered attack and ballistic missile submarines will be designed with this principle in mind.
The launch of the USS New Jersey highlights the ongoing struggle for equality within the military, with some welcoming the move as a necessary step towards inclusivity, while others remain staunchly opposed.
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