Justin Elzie, the first Marine to come out under “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell,” has a piece running today in Pam’s House Blend. It’s an important piece from someone who has spent the past sixteen years fighting the injustice — and the unjust law that is DADT. As Justin says, “DADT is a Crime against Humanity.”
I ask you to go read the piece on Pam’s site, but I will offer you this quote from it, one that I don’t think many folks realize. Justin tell us why repeal of “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell” is important to the entire LGBTQ community — not just those of us in the military.
For those who continue to live in their own little boxes, hopefully Justin’s piece will open some eyes.
“Having more than 2 million people going through mandatory sensitivity/diversity training and having to work with someone openly gay will change attitudes. When those people get out of the military and go back to their hometowns, they take those opinions with them and that matters. When marriage equality is addressed in California, Texas, Alabama, Kansas, Maine, and other states, these people are going to be more likely to support us across this country because they know someone gay, worked with them, and fought with them.
“Repeal of DADT will have a major shift in the consciousness of this country on LGBT issues. According to Gallup, the military is the most respected institution in our country today. The repeal of DADT will have a positive effect on our community and our country.”
(Full disclosure: Justin Elzie is a good friend.)