DADT Repeal Guide Answers Questions For Gay, Lesbian Troops

[w8liftinglady]

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2011/07/28/sldn-releases-dadt-repeal_n_912366.html

WASHINGTON -- Is it required to come out if you're a gay or lesbian service member? Is it safe for gay troops to confide in their chaplain? Which benefits will remain off limits to married same-sex service members? And if you were discharged under "don't ask, don't tell," can you now rejoin the military?

These and dozens of other questions are addressed in what is being called a "first-of-its-kind" guide to the laws and policies on military service by gays, lesbians and bisexual troops once the military's DADT ends this fall.

The 53-page "Freedom to Serve: The Definitive Guide to LGBT Military Service" was released Thursday by the Servicemembers Legal Defense Network (SLDN) and is available on the gay advocacy group's website.

But it also comes with a warning printed in bright red letters on every page. It reads, "IMPORTANT: This guide is effective upon repeal of 'Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell' on Tuesday, September 20, 2011. Until then, service members are cautioned about coming out publicly."

The guide was issued nearly a week after President Barack Obama and the Pentagon's civilian and uniformed leaders certified that the military is ready to formally lift the 17-year-old ban on openly serving gay and lesbian troops. The announcement started a 60-day countdown to Sept. 20, when repeal officially goes into effect.

[DURHAM D]

1. oh gheez -

The writer seems to think that gays served openly in the military before 1993. Ignorance is so exhausting.

[TheWraith]

2. What makes you say that? nt

[N7Shepard]

3. I'd love to serve, unfortunately I'm transgender :wah: