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A Veteran's Day Tribute to Out Servicemen
When I tell people I'm an Army veteran, I always get the same reaction. Their eyes widen and they utter an incredulous "You?" I've learned not to take it as an insult. When I joined the military, DADT had not yet been implemented (yes, I'm that old), but it was in full swing by the time I left. Not that it would have mattered either way for me. Whether someone had asked me point blank if I was gay, or someone investigated me with "suspicions", my response would have been the same: "No, I'm not". Why would I have lied? Because I was young, stupid ... and afraid. Afraid of being kicked out, afraid of being found out. Just afraid. On this Veteran's Day, I'd like to pay tribute to a few men who aren't afraid. Men who've served the country honorably and with courage. Men who, because they dared to tell the truth, have lost their military careers. Above you can see Darren Manzella in a new interview in which he discusses the events that led to his decision to publicly come out, which led to his eventual dismissal under DADT (after the military had looked the other way concerning his sexuality in order to use his medical talents in the war, of course.) Above you can see Dan Choi and his historic announcement on The Rachel Maddow Show. Those three little words "I am gay" were a brave and life-changing declaration. Above you can see Victor Fehrenbach, a veteran with 18 years of experience who, because of a false allegation, found his military career terminated. Of course these three men (who are far better soldiers than I could ever have hoped to have been) are just the tip of the iceberg when it comes to how unfair and nonsensical the military is when it comes to gay service members. I can't let this Veteran's Day go by without acknowledging trailblazer Leonard Matlovich. His grave at the Congressional Cemetery should be a must-see for anyone still debating this issue, and his tombstone is a devastating reminder of how far we still have to go.
Submitted by on Wed, 2009-11-11 16:47. |
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Thanks you, snicks
THIS IS TERRIFIC
Thank you for you service. I grew up in a military town and have known many lesbian, gay, and trans soldiers. What a wonderful tribute.
"The expense of spirit in a waste of shame/Is lust in action..."
This is just so depressing
The first British soldier killed in Afghanistan was gay. And over the years we've lost quite a few openly gay soldiers. But they've not been celebrated because they're gay. instead, it's been because they're someone's child or partner or brother. The most important thing is that they've made the ultimate sacrifice for their country.
The thing is that everywhere - EVERYWHERE - else in the the world where bans on gays and lesbians serving in the military have been removed, the opposition to gays and lesbians has disappeared within a year. For God's sake, the various arms of the military regularly recruit at gay pride parades in so many different countries across the globe.
Sexuality is such a non-event in warfare. My father fought in WWII and he knew the gay soldiers he was serving with. And despite being an incredibly conservative man for the rest of his life, he's never had a problem with homosexuals. He fought side-by-side with them and some saved his life and he said some of their lives and when they were killed he mourned them just as much as he did anyone he knew. They'd proved their worth as men and everything else was secondary.
According to most opinion polls, most Americans - irrespective of party affiliation - think DADT is stupid. Why the hell Congress and the White House don't understand this is beyond me.
It's just so sad that the only gay military men who are allowed to be remembered and celebrated are the ones who've been discharged. All those boys who've died with a secret life... I can't express how miserable that makes me feel. They need to be remembered, celebrated and acknowledged for the men they were and not just as the men who died conveniently for a government policy.
Today of all days, DADT is a simple, human atrocity.
This is just so depressing
Thanks
If I could Facebook like this I would
Thank you. That's all I can really say.
I watched the Remembrance Day ceremonies in Ottawa on TV today, and it was beautiful.
And that tombstone is simply astounding.
You too can be saved by the blog! www.savedbytheblog14.blogspot.com
I may be straight, but I'm not narrow.
Veteran's Day
As a retired military man (USAF), all I can say is that Leonard Matlovich was and still is inspirational to me. It's why I use the avatar I do here. Those who would deny any American the opportunity to serve their county citing morality has only to think about the words on his tombstone.
The Bravest of the Brave
They fought for us and then fought the nation... for that they should be listed amongst the bravest of the brave for their courage.
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If I bring out the devil in you, he was there all along!
Legally married Sept 18, 2009. Wedded Oct 10,2009.<
thank you snicks, and all who serve...
i love you all, and am eternally grateful
do my bracelets make me look fat?