Gay Active-Duty Servicemembers Wear Uniforms At Human Rights Campaign Dinner

[Tx4obama]

DADT Repealed: Gay Active-Duty Servicemembers Wear Uniforms At Human Rights Campaign Dinner

WASHINGTON -- The 15th annual fundraising dinner for the Human Rights Campaign on Saturday was different from past events for one big reason: Openly gay active-duty servicemembers were able to wear their military uniforms without any fear of retribution.

Ret. Staff Sgt. Eric Alva, a gay veteran who has been an outspoken supporter of LGBT rights, was the first Marine seriously wounded in the Iraq War. He was also right by President Obama's side when he signed into law the repeal of "don't ask, don't tell," which barred gay and lesbian individuals from serving openly in the U.S. military.

This year's event was the first dinner to take place since DADT, which officially ended on Sept. 20.

Alva has attended five of HRC's annual dinners, but this was the first one to which he has worn his military uniform, which was decorated with medals, including the Purple Heart.

SNIP

Full article here: http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2011/10/01/dadt-repealed-gay-servicemembers-uniform_n_990550.html?1317518488

Video of Obama's full speech here: http://www.hrc.org/apps/obama/

[dsc]

1. I met Alva at the HRC dinner in the Carolinas

where I sang as part of the triangle gay men's chorus. A true hero.

[Tarheel_Dem]

2. K & R