How the Don’t Ask Don’t Tell Repeal Made Our Christmas Merry!

I have been following the repeal process of the 17-year Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell Policy for weeks.  I was thrilled when it passed the House and was headed to the Senate within the National Defense Authorization Act and I was disappointed when it was stopped on the Senate floor.  Then I was elated when it was created as a separate piece of legislation and went through the House again and antsy to hear if it would pass the Senate this time.  Then it did on that Saturday afternoon and just a few days shy of Christmas, President Obama signed it into law.  I wept as I watched the live video feed from the White House during this historic moment – with the sound muted so no one knew what I was witnessing.  My partner was watching at home and we were texting each other throughout.  It was a historic day for the military, for America and for our family.  You see, I am gay and proudly serve in our military.

Our family received one of the greatest gifts we could have ever received that day – freedom.  It was freedom that I had fought for in Iraq just a few short years earlier. It was freedom that all families have in America, except for gay military families. And, even now, we still are careful.  Until the law is fully appealed, there’s a slight chance I could lose my job, but there is light at the end of this long tunnel.

No more do I have to hide the fact that I have a partner and three children at home that I love and adore.  No more do I have to just refer to her as my “friend.”  No more do we have to be fearful that I would lose my job if someone found out.  No more do I have to be careful who we run into at school concerts, ball games and the grocery store.  We are family living on the edge of freedom and eagerly anticipating the day we can be free to live our lives without fear.  Thank you America, thank you Mr. President, and thank you to everyone who allows us to serve you!