'R um, sodomy and the lash" are the words Winston Churchill is popularly credited with using to sum up the traditions of Britain's Royal Navy. (A former assistant has said that Churchill never uttered the famous phrase but wished he had.) Either way, the idea that Her Majesty's naval forces have always been a hotbed of homosexual activity is hardly new. The only thing that has changed over the years is the official response to such activity, which has ranged from a blind eye, to strictly enforced prohibition, to reluctant tolerance and now -- in possibly a worldwide first -- caring solicitude. It's a startling but also a welcome development that one hopes will have a ripple effect in other places.

In 2000, following a ruling by the European Court of Human Rights, Britain lifted a longtime ban on gays in any branch of its military. Despite the navy's historic reputation for liveliness, however, gays did not flock to sign up -- to be fair, they did not flock to sign up anywhere, doubtless deterred by the headlines like everyone else -- so last week the senior service took a step further. It announced a new approach under which it will not only actively encourage gay men and lesbians to enlist but will also strive to help them feel "accepted" when they do, so that they will stay on.

To that end, it has asked a gay-rights lobbying group for advice on how to change the atmosphere in the service "so gays who are still in the closet feel that much more comfortable about coming out." The phrase "royal treatment" just took on a whole new meaning, at least for British sailors.