A-List: New York star and former Air Force officer Reichen Lehmkuhl joined other LGBT Veterans in New York City’s Times Square to honor LGBT Veterans and to speak about the unconstitutional law, “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell.” The rally, organized by GetEqual and Proud Ally, also featured LGBT veterans Justin Elzie, the first Marine to be discharged under “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell,” former Army Captain Tanya Domi, and crisis management expert Dr. Mick Maurer.
The veterans spoke of personal experiences in the armed forces. Elzie, author of Playing By the Rules, a book about his coming out experiences, repeatedly stated that repeal of “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell” was “in the hands of President Obama and Harry Reid.” Domi, now a Columbia University adjunct professor, called the president’s handling of “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell” “political malpractice,” but indicated she was “hopeful,” and that ultimately the LGBT community will find “due justice in the courts.”
Among those in attendance were Servicemembers Legal Defense Network (SLDN) Executive Director C. Dixon Osburn, activist Cathy Marino-Thomas, bloggers Scott Wooledge (aka Clarknt67) and A Guy Named Wayne. And, of course, yours truly, who, smartly, took all the photos so he didn’t have to be in any!
On a personal note, I’m honored that Elzie, Domi, and Wooledge all write and/or have written for The New Civil Rights Movement.