SAN FRANCISCO, Nov 2 (New America Media) - Ten months ago, I was kicked out of the Army. My crime? I refused to
continue violating my integrity and told a superior officer I was gay.
My nine years in the military, including four years as a cadet at West
Point and almost two years deployed to Iraq where I was awarded the
Bronze star, came to an abrupt end when the Army discharged me under
the "don't ask, don't tell" policy.

Like most gays and lesbians serving in the military -- and make no
mistake, there are a lot of them, I had no interest in broadcasting my
private life in the barracks. I simply didn't want being honest about
who I am to jeopardize my ability to continue serving my country
honorably.

My fellow members of the LGBT community are right to feel that now is
the time for President Barack Obama to fulfill his campaign promise to
end "don't ask, don't tell." Never has public support for repealing the
ban been higher, with 7 out of 10 adults supporting repeal, according
to the latest Gallup poll.

While popular support is important, what's more interesting is the
clear shift in opinion and tone coming from Pentagon officials.

Last Sunday, Secretary of the Army John McHugh told the Army Times the
military was ready to end "don't ask, don't tell." With his statement,
he joined other senior military leaders who have indicated that openly
gay soldiers will not jeopardize military readiness, as opponents
suggest.

McHugh's comments are consistent with those of Chairman of the Joint
Chiefs Admiral Mike Mullen who on multiple occasions has stated the
military was prepared to carry out whatever decision Congress and the
president make on the policy. Secretary of Defense Robert Gates has
gone even further by stating a more "humane" policy should be put in
place. The time for repeal is now.

The statements made by these senior leaders are reflective of the
attitude of today's military. I know this because I've seen it first
hand, and that is why I feel so strongly that the military's policy
should reflect this reality.

Many opponents of repeal are individuals whose days in the military
ended long ago or others who are morally opposed to homosexuality in
any context. They consistently fail to grasp the growing cultural
sensitivity and general open mindedness of a younger generation of
servicemen and women. Further, they fail to recognize the tremendous
contributions that gay and lesbian soldiers make on the front lines in
battle or the critical skills they put to use everyday in defense of
our country.

Most of those who support repeal recognize how foolish it is to spend
$400 million investigating and discharging highly skilled troops who
want to serve their country. This is especially mind-boggling when
America is engaged in two wars. They also recognize that dozens of our
allies, including the UK, Australia, Canada and Israel, have allowed
gays and lesbians to serve openly with no discernable impact on
readiness, unit cohesion, or morale.

At the Human Rights Campaign annual dinner in Washington, D.C., Obama
again promised to bring an end to the discriminatory and outdated
policy of "don't ask, don't tell." That end will not come unless the
president replaces powerful words with bold action. It is now time for
the president, Congress, and our military to join with the majority of
Americans who believe this policy is not only unjust but also
unpatriotic.

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