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A few words from the New Zealand Prime Minister on Anzac Day 2020. Over the years veterans have widely shared stories of homophobia,sexual assault and discrimination within the armed forces. Pervasive culture issues involving prejudice against the rainbow community remain today: the don’t ask, don’t tell policy All of that paints a picture of a place that’s dark and grim for queer people. But as author and historian Brent Coutts has found, for Aotearoa’s queer veterans military service also provided a safety net for some men to explore their sexualities. “The intense intimacy led to profound friendships, even among straight men,” Coutts says. “There were mate-ship bonds between men on an interpersonal and platonic level, but those bonds could provide cover for sexual intimacy.” ....