Photographer Jeff Sheng has created a project that helps gay members of the military speak out against the discriminatory “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell” policy. Obviously, it’s a real challenge for gay members of the military to speak out against DADT for fear of being outed. Sheng’s project brings these men and women a voice while keeping their identities hidden. The service members’ faces are invisible in the photos that portray a wide range of stories and emotions.
Personally, it makes me sick to think about what the military does to these people. And what about the many thousands who have already been discharged under “Don’t Ask”? I doubt they’ll ever receive any reparations or even an apology.
It’s even worse that we live in a society that, while disapproves of such a policy according to polls, finds it to be so acceptable. For the most part, straight allies and even many gays are more than willing to wait even longer for repeal. I just wonder, would they be so willing to delay justice if it were their jobs on the line? What if it was their pensions, their children’s educations and their dignity at risk?
I served as a Naval officer for six years and so wish I could have been able to simply reveal my orientation and get to work without this stupid, irrelvant, needless worry. Thanks. This presentation is an excellent service for our country.
Thank you Fred, and happy Thanksgiving.