This video – which has thankfully gotten widespread coverage – is a beautiful moment. It keeps bringing tears to my eyes when the uniformed soldier declares so simply that “it’s nice to be able to be myself.” Quite the testimonial to the military, the GLBT community and America’s capacity for reason. I anticipate a generally positive reaction from most people, which makes me optimistic about the country’s future.
That said, I wonder what the public reaction would be if it were two men kissing and also intentionally making a political point about the foolish DADT policy? Sadly, I’m nearly certain the ensuing “debate” would be fair more acrimonious and vile. Agree? Convince me I’m wrong?
I don’t know these women, but I feel this kiss. As the sailor says, it was along time coming. I remember very clearly the day that Don’t Ask Don’t Tell was signed into law. I was working in my lab and heard the news over the radio, and I crumpled internally. It was another mortal blow to my citizenship and humanity when my government decided that I and other gays were not even fit to be cannon fodder. This kiss more than anything symbolizes the restoration of human dignity to me and other gay Americans, even those of us who would never have chosen to serve in the military. Bit by bit we’re starting to be treated like full human beings that we are.
I have more than a few friends in the military, including two gay ones, and the moment this wall finally came down was one of the moments, like the speech in Grant Park when I could truly feel this country moving forward. Although he is too inept/chickenshit to realize it, this would make a fantastic ad for the President. This is what America is about, doesn’t matter how you got here or who you, it matters what you do with yourself when given the chance. I am very proud of my friend in the Navy whether she is rebuilding Japan or being allowed to march in the Pride parade with her sister sailors (important to note as a straight ally, but even that action would’ve led to insinuations, investigations, and inevitable discharges just a few months ago). And although I do not know if he has come out to his brothers in arms yet, I am glad my gay friend in the Army has the choice to do that on his terms and to have that be irrelevant to his fitness to serve.
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This video – which has thankfully gotten widespread coverage – is a beautiful moment. It keeps bringing tears to my eyes when the uniformed soldier declares so simply that “it’s nice to be able to be myself.” Quite the testimonial to the military, the GLBT community and America’s capacity for reason. I anticipate a generally positive reaction from most people, which makes me optimistic about the country’s future.
That said, I wonder what the public reaction would be if it were two men kissing and also intentionally making a political point about the foolish DADT policy? Sadly, I’m nearly certain the ensuing “debate” would be fair more acrimonious and vile. Agree? Convince me I’m wrong?
I don’t know these women, but I feel this kiss. As the sailor says, it was along time coming. I remember very clearly the day that Don’t Ask Don’t Tell was signed into law. I was working in my lab and heard the news over the radio, and I crumpled internally. It was another mortal blow to my citizenship and humanity when my government decided that I and other gays were not even fit to be cannon fodder. This kiss more than anything symbolizes the restoration of human dignity to me and other gay Americans, even those of us who would never have chosen to serve in the military. Bit by bit we’re starting to be treated like full human beings that we are.
Especially like the cheer from those watching.
I have more than a few friends in the military, including two gay ones, and the moment this wall finally came down was one of the moments, like the speech in Grant Park when I could truly feel this country moving forward. Although he is too inept/chickenshit to realize it, this would make a fantastic ad for the President. This is what America is about, doesn’t matter how you got here or who you, it matters what you do with yourself when given the chance. I am very proud of my friend in the Navy whether she is rebuilding Japan or being allowed to march in the Pride parade with her sister sailors (important to note as a straight ally, but even that action would’ve led to insinuations, investigations, and inevitable discharges just a few months ago). And although I do not know if he has come out to his brothers in arms yet, I am glad my gay friend in the Army has the choice to do that on his terms and to have that be irrelevant to his fitness to serve.