DADT officially repealed.
Finally, DADT is dead. I want to congratulate the US Armed Forces in a step towards acceptance and more equality. And also express my support to all the brave soldiers who have been and are affected by DADT and it's aftermath. I may not be an American citizen, but I am none-the-less proud of anyone putting their life on the line to serve their country! Regardless of sexuality, gender, ethnicity, religion or political views.
"Today, the discriminatory law known as 'Don't Ask, Don't Tell' is finally and formally repealed. As of today, patriotic Americans in uniform will no longer have to lie about who they are in order to serve the country they love. As of today, our armed forces will no longer lose the extraordinary skills and combat experience of so many gay and lesbian service members. And today, as Commander in Chief, I want those who were discharged under this law to know that your country deeply values your service."
- President Barack Obama
And on the subject here are some happy stories related to the repeal:
Navy officer weds partner as gay ban ends.
"Do Ask, Do Tell of the Day: Navy Lt. Gary Ross (r) and his partner of 11 years, Dan Swezy, exchange vows at 12:01 AM on September 20, 2011 the moment Don't Ask, Don't Tell officially became null and void.
The Arizona couple chose to tie the knot in Vermont so they could be legally united at the first possible moment after the discriminatory law's official repeal."
Out and Proud to Serve.
"A prominent gay rights advocate (creator of OutServe) who called himself J. D. Smith is in fact 1st Lt. Josh Seefried, a 25-year-old active-duty Air Force officer. At 12:01 a.m. Tuesday, he dropped the pseudonym, freed from keeping his sexual orientation secret like an estimated tens of thousands of others in the United States military."
User AreYouSurprised on YouTube.
This is a video-blog of a soldier serving in the US Military and his steps towards openness about sexuality and stepping out of the closet. He started out not showing his face (b/c of DADT), but in the latest video he shared his coming out to his father with the world uncensored. It's brave and inspiring! (The actual call starts around 2:20).
I had a pretty lousy day, but just knowing that today marks one great victory in the fight for equal rights for LGBT people in America (and internationally) made it a really good day after all! Let's keep believing people!
"Today, the discriminatory law known as 'Don't Ask, Don't Tell' is finally and formally repealed. As of today, patriotic Americans in uniform will no longer have to lie about who they are in order to serve the country they love. As of today, our armed forces will no longer lose the extraordinary skills and combat experience of so many gay and lesbian service members. And today, as Commander in Chief, I want those who were discharged under this law to know that your country deeply values your service."
- President Barack Obama
And on the subject here are some happy stories related to the repeal:
Navy officer weds partner as gay ban ends.
"Do Ask, Do Tell of the Day: Navy Lt. Gary Ross (r) and his partner of 11 years, Dan Swezy, exchange vows at 12:01 AM on September 20, 2011 the moment Don't Ask, Don't Tell officially became null and void.
The Arizona couple chose to tie the knot in Vermont so they could be legally united at the first possible moment after the discriminatory law's official repeal."
Out and Proud to Serve.
"A prominent gay rights advocate (creator of OutServe) who called himself J. D. Smith is in fact 1st Lt. Josh Seefried, a 25-year-old active-duty Air Force officer. At 12:01 a.m. Tuesday, he dropped the pseudonym, freed from keeping his sexual orientation secret like an estimated tens of thousands of others in the United States military."
User AreYouSurprised on YouTube.
This is a video-blog of a soldier serving in the US Military and his steps towards openness about sexuality and stepping out of the closet. He started out not showing his face (b/c of DADT), but in the latest video he shared his coming out to his father with the world uncensored. It's brave and inspiring! (The actual call starts around 2:20).
Click to viewI had a pretty lousy day, but just knowing that today marks one great victory in the fight for equal rights for LGBT people in America (and internationally) made it a really good day after all! Let's keep believing people!