“Fair wind and a following sea” are the traditional Navy words of farewell. For many LGBT men and women of not only the Navy, but the other branches of the Armed Force, words like this may never be spoken.
Today we celebrate Veterans Day when there are still so many LGBT soldiers who have served their country with dignity remain dishonored by the military’s refusal to affirm or even acknowledge their very existence. I wanted to share the story of Mike Rankin, M.D., Capt., MC, USN (Ret.): a gay, Jewish veteran and an active supporter of many gay, Jewish and veteran’s organizations, who has repeatedly spoken out against “Don’t Ask Don’t Tell” – After serving in the Navy for 34 years, it was time for him to leave the military. Please Click here to read a speech he gave in summer 2006 in Norfolk.
November 11th, 2008 at 6:03 am
Jeanne thanks for the link to that post. It’s an amazing story.
November 11th, 2008 at 9:43 am
I went over and read that post – what a refreshing viewpoint. It’s tense, and that’s how it feels to be worried that someone will discriminate against you or lash out in ways that will hurt you or your loved ones. Sometimes it’s not that you’re gay, but that you even write gay romance.
I thought the ending was excellent and was so proud of him for standing up against the bigotry he found — and the wonderful end to that story.
Thanks so much for sharing it.