Ex-marine predicts win in 'don't ask, don't tell' fight (first person to be discharged)

[cal04]

The first soldier to be discharged under rules against gay servicemen believes a repeal is imminent
http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2010/dec/05/dont-ask-dont-tell-law

As the row over America's ban on gay people serving openly in the military reached a fever pitch last week, Justin Elzie felt he had finally neared the end of a 17-year journey.

Elzie, a former marine, was the first person to be discharged under the Don't Ask, Don't Tell (DADT) law, soon after it was brought in by President Bill Clinton in 1993. He has become an important figure in the struggle against the controversial policy, which could now soon be repealed.

"I know it is going to happen now. It is going to be repealed. It is just a matter of when," said Elzie, who recently chained himself to the White House fence in protest at the policy's continued existence. He has also just published a book about his life and last week lobbied politicians in Washington as the Senate conducted hearings on repeal of the law.

(snip)
His story revealed in many ways the pointlessness of trying to keep gay people out of the army. Even before DADT was enacted Elzie described a flourishing gay underground culture in the military. Far from being a rare exception, Elzie found himself part of a large group of gay men and women who often referred to themselves as "family". "It is still there. There is a whole subculture," Elzie said.

[bluestateguy]

1. I put the odds at about 50/50

I hope they have an executive order ready just in case.

[DURHAM D]

2. Stupid article.

"brought in by Clinton". Crap - just crap. It was forced on Clinton by Powell, Nunn and Boren. Clinton spent a ton of political capital on trying to get gays to serve openly.

I was at a meeting in Wilmington, NC right after DADT was passed. Elzie was one of the speakers. The other speakers were all from D.C. and worked for various LGBT advocacy groups. Everyone thought at that time it was finally some protection for gays in the military. The focus of the meeting was on the meaning of the Don't Tell part. At that time no one thought it would be mis-used by the military but I guess we were naive and should have realized that was the plan, after all Powell was in charge.

BTW - at the meeting Elzie told the following joke - The only difference between a straight marine and a gay marine is a six-pack of beer.