Now, how about those gay and lesbian soldiers?
What about them? I knew about and who was homosexual back in the 70's and 80's where I served. If they went about their business. No problem. They were left alone. If a sailor sexually assaulted or propositioned another, the sailor was given an other than honorable or general discharge. They were removed from their unit/command immediately. We lived together in close conditions. Especially ships and submarines. Regulations forbid it.
It was no different than an officer/enlisted romantic relationship. Regulations forbid it. One or both were usually reprimanded, sometimes administratively discharged.
I cannot speak toward lesbian service members. I never saw or processed any.
The new regulations allow openly homosexual service members. They can tell anyone that they are and have a relationship with another. They are still forbidden in an officer/enlisted relationship. It still does not give them the right to assault or touch inappropriately another service member. Only the right to "be who they are" and not be discharged or discriminated against.
The regulations originally came about many, many years ago as some service members were blackmailed into stealing military secrets: A heterosexual act with a person not their spouse, usually foreign (adultery), a homosexual act with a foreign agent (since homosexual activity was illegal). It was easier to discharge than not. Sometimes if the service member confessed, they were used to "set up" a foreign agent and then give the service member a second chance. Most second chances were controlled: No access to classified material ever after.
The officer/enlisted relationship ban exists because of favoritism and control, especially if one works for the other. Others find out and cause dissension in the ranks and refusal to obey orders....which in turn causes more problems which you can probably guess.
Soldiers/Marines living from foxhole to foxhole crammed tight together just want to do their job and stay alive. They probably never think about the new change unless politics or press bring it up.