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Thirty-eight graduates of the U.S. Military Academy at West Point, N.Y., came out of the closet and form the organization, KnightsOut.org. A support group created to help their alma mater educate future Army leaders on the need to accept and honor the sacrifices of gay and lesbian troops. The organization is challenging the Don't Ask, Don't Tell policy (a gay military ban) enacted by Bill Clinton in 1996.



Dan Choi is a West Point Graduate and a Lieutenant of the US Army. Here is Dan Choi's interview on MSNBC Rachel Maddow's Show:

Dim lights

On VetVoice.com, there is a picture of Dan Choi in combat fatigues from head to toe - fighting a war in Iraq:

Dan is a combat veteran of Iraq.  Dan is not only an infantry officer, but he also has a degree in Arabic--something very important if you're going to be in a place like Iraq.  Dan earned his degree in Arabic--and his commission--from a very good school in upstate New York known for providing America with some of its best leaders.  The school he attended is commonly known as "West Point.

Now, notice that Dan is not wearing a dress.  He's wearing the Army's standard ACU.  Also, notice that Dan is not wearing makeup, eyeliner, or dangly earrings.  He's just wearing the normal Kevlar helmet and protective eyewear that you typically see infantrymen wear in Iraq.  Observe that Dan also looks as though he's barking orders, something infantry officers sometimes have to do in dangerous situations.  What he's not doing, however, is hitting on the other male soldiers in his unit.  And he's not spying on his fellow male soldiers in the shower.  

Dan isn't doing any of these things because he's a professional.  And this is important to note, because Dan is gay.  In fact, Dan recently helped found a new group of former West Pointers and Army officers just like him.

Now, most Americans--81 percent, in fact--are proud of the work Dan has done in serving his country, regardless of his personal life.  But that last remaining 19 percent (probably closer 40 percent in the Army)--who don't think Dan should be allowed to acknowledge his sexual orientation publicly--aren't so sure.  And this has caused them to come up with some very strange arguments to force Dan to keep his sexuality a deeply hidden secret.

The point in illuminating this segment is to show that there's no substantive opposition remaining in the fight to repeal the DADT policy.  All the arguments we're seeing consist of vague fears about "social experimentation," discomfort with the "shower situation," and mild terror over the thought of cross-dressing soldiers.  

But soldiers like Lieutenant Dan Choi dispel all the hysteria.  And that's a good thing.  Because, in the end, gay soldiers are identical to straight soldiers: They're professional, they're competent, and they take care of their troops.  And any time they're not, they are--and should be--treated the same as any straight male soldier who sexually harasses a female soldier. That is, with harsh discipline.

So it's time for a repeal of "Don't Ask, Don't Tell."  Conservative America's fears are unfounded.  As long as you can shoot straight--or speak Arabic or Pashto--it's shouldn't matter whether or not you are straight.  Soldiers like those involved with Knights Out have demonstrated that. Link

KnightsOut is an advocacy organization whose mission is to bring about visible identity, leadership and support for the many Gays and Lesbians serving in the military. Members include current students and alumnis of West Point Military Academy.

This is who they are (from their website):

Our OUT members include former West Point professors, Rhodes Scholars, decorated combat veterans from the Vietnam War, Iraq and Afghanistan, peacekeepers who served in Haiti and Bosnia, men and women from the first co-ed class (1980), an ordained minister, and many others, coming out from their silence to serve their country in a new way.

Equally important among our members are the Gradaute Supporters, fellow West Point Alumni who courageously stand by our side against discrimination. Knights Out provides a safe place for West Point Alumni to candidly advise one another on the practical implications of implementing the flawed "Don't Ask, Don't Tell" policy.

West Point staff, former professors, and family members are encouraged to join Knights Out as an Ally. Your perspective is invaluable to this dialogue. We welcome you, too.

The Don't Ask, Don't Tell doesn't work and doesn't make sense.
The UK Army removed the ban on gays serving in their military, I haven't heard of any moral or discipline plummeting to dangerous levels and national security jeopardized. Why can't DADT cease here?

Until "being Gay" is acceptable and viewed as just another orientation, the government will never accept Gays in the military. This is unfortunate.
However, the visiblity of Gay men and women is growing in this nation - and coming from all walks of life.
Despite what those religious fundamentalists would say and lie to you, gay men and women are Coming Out! They can be your brother,sister, son, daughter, parent, best friend, favorite Christian singer, politician, etc.

I hope to see this Nation one day embracing Gay Americans serving, defending and dying for this country!

I absolutely appreciate the work and mission of KnightsOut.org. Keep the truth!