Good vibes for my friend Steven, please.

[Lyric]

He's leaving for basic training at Ft. Jackson on Tuesday, and had been staying here with his boyfriend (our roommate) for the past couple of days. He's a college student, studying to be a doctor, but he's going into the service to become a medic and get college help because he can no longer afford school on his own, and also because he feels that his skills are badly needed right now. I'm worried to death about him. I'm sure you can imagine why.

I feel like he's heading into enemy territory before he ever even leaves the states. I'm fearful that he'll have trouble. I'm hopeful that his job (a medic) will keep him safe, but...well, you know.

Please keep him in your thoughts.

:cry:

Edit: I had to remove the picture. I just can't take the chance that someone will recognize him. *sigh*

[blaze]

1. Stay safe Stevan!

:hug:

[Ms. Toad]

2. Given the current DADT policy,

It might not be the best idea to have his photo posted in a public forum with him identified as gay.

[Lyric]

3. Already took it off.

I realized that a few minutes ago. *sigh*

[xultar]

9. Seriously, what are you thinking. U r giving WAY too much fucking info.

Unless he authorized you to do it, you need to take it off or have a mod delete it.
:crazy:

[JohnnyLib2]

4. Definitely agree; not a good idea.

Otherwise, all best wishes.

[xultar]

8. No stit.

[LuvNewcastle]

5. Give Steven my best.

I hope he accomplishes his goals in the military and returns to y'all in good condition.

[handmade34]

6. all the best to you Steven

[The Doctor.]

7. Send him my best.

I'm sure he'll be OK. For the vast majority people, going into the service does a lot for them. Even if deployed, he should be just fine. As a medic, I imagine he won't have a great deal of contact with those likely to be inimical towards him.

[jonnyblitz]

11. I agree with your last sentence based on my experience. nt

[jonnyblitz]

10. the medical depts at all my navy commands always had a

bunvh of gay folk when i was enlisted back in the day. I imagine that is the case in all the branches even now.

[jonnyblitz]

12. also, make sure he is aware of SLDN if he isn't already.

it's Servicemembers Legal Defense Network.

http://www.sldn.org/

[Lyric]

20. Thanks!

I'll definitely pass that one along.

:hug:

[roguevalley]

13. Go safely, Steven. Thank you for serving a country that sometimes is beneath

your sacrifice.

[JoseCanyucee]

14. Don't Sweat It...

Honestly, don't worry... he'll be fine... the military is huge and there's a boatload more gay people than most people even realize already in there. Question is will O follow through on his promise to allow gays to serve openly? Or will he drag his feet another year. It was within his power to do it this past year... just one swipe of his pen and it would be done. Gay radio hosts are pissed... why is he waiting so damn long?! What does he, or anyone, stand to gain from allowing this prejudice to go on!?!

[TheWraith]

16. "the military is huge and there's a boatload more gay people than most people even realize"

True. DADT discharges are about 400 a year for 2009; the US Armed Forces have about 1.5 million active personnel and 1.5 million reservists. If you assume that even just about 5% of that sub-set of the US population is gay, then you're talking about 150,000 gay military personnel. Assuming 1% are gay, that's still 400 out of 30,000. The odds are on his side.

"It was within his power to do it this past year... just one swipe of his pen and it would be done."

Not the case. DADT is statutory law; it can only be repealed by an act of Congress.

[joeybee12]

15. Good Luck and Good Vibes!

:grouphug:

[TheWraith]

17. Good luck. The odds are on his side...

...and pretty soon so too will the law be, though that rarely stops real discrimination.

[tbyg52]

18. Very best thoughts and wishes.

:hug:

[foxfeet]

19. Good vibes on the way.

Stay safe, Steven, from all manner of harm.