# Come Celebrate the End of Don't Ask, Don't Tell **URL:** \ **Category:** Miscellaneous and Personal Stuff I Must Share\ **Created:** [September 20, 2011, 7:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/come-celebrate-the-end-of-dont-ask-dont-tell/596977 "2011-09-20T19:14:45Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Gangster\_Octopus](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/a8b319/32.png) [@Gangster\_Octopus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Gangster_Octopus)\ **Post date:** [September 20, 2011, 7:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/come-celebrate-the-end-of-dont-ask-dont-tell/596977/1 "2011-09-20T19:14:45Z")
Check out the video of a [Gay Soldier Coming Out to His Dad](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DVAgz6iyK6A&feature=player_embedded). His Dads complete acceptance and the visible weight lifted from the son is just too heartwarming. A GREAT Day for America. It took too long, but now that its here it is time to celebrate. DOMA you’re next!!! ---
**Author:** ![Illuminatiprimus](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/illuminatiprimus/32/11520_2.png) [@Illuminatiprimus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Illuminatiprimus)\ **Post date:** [September 20, 2011, 7:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/come-celebrate-the-end-of-dont-ask-dont-tell/596977/2 "2011-09-20T19:26:12Z")
Does this mean I can finally admit I’m gay on here? ---
**Author:** ![drewtwo99](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/d07c76/32.png) [@drewtwo99](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/drewtwo99)\ **Post date:** [September 20, 2011, 7:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/come-celebrate-the-end-of-dont-ask-dont-tell/596977/3 "2011-09-20T19:35:51Z")
I am very glad to hear this. I hope that all those brave men and women who were discharged under the policy will be able to re-enlist without any troubles, if they want to do so. ---
**Author:** ![Lucretia](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/13edae/32.png) [@Lucretia](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lucretia)\ **Post date:** [September 20, 2011, 8:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/come-celebrate-the-end-of-dont-ask-dont-tell/596977/4 "2011-09-20T20:53:54Z")
That was so wonderful! I’m all choked up, now. ---
**Author:** ![levdrakon](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/49beb7/32.png) [@levdrakon](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/levdrakon)\ **Post date:** [September 20, 2011, 9:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/come-celebrate-the-end-of-dont-ask-dont-tell/596977/5 "2011-09-20T21:08:48Z")
National holiday! ---
**Author:** ![Thudlow\_Boink](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/thudlow_boink/32/320_2.png) [@Thudlow\_Boink](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Thudlow_Boink)\ **Post date:** [September 20, 2011, 9:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/come-celebrate-the-end-of-dont-ask-dont-tell/596977/6 "2011-09-20T21:14:30Z")
> [@Illuminatiprimus](#): > > Does this mean I can finally admit I’m gay on here? Only if someone asks. ---
**Author:** ![YogSothoth](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/y/8edcca/32.png) [@YogSothoth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/YogSothoth)\ **Post date:** [September 20, 2011, 9:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/come-celebrate-the-end-of-dont-ask-dont-tell/596977/7 "2011-09-20T21:29:18Z")
> [@Thudlow\_Boink](#): > > Only if someone asks. Quick! Nobody ask him! 😉 ---
**Author:** ![Shirley\_Ujest](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/45deac/32.png) [@Shirley\_Ujest](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Shirley_Ujest)\ **Post date:** [September 20, 2011, 10:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/come-celebrate-the-end-of-dont-ask-dont-tell/596977/8 "2011-09-20T22:59:01Z")
That was nice. ---
**Author:** ![Nobody](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/94ad74/32.png) [@Nobody](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Nobody)\ **Post date:** [September 20, 2011, 11:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/come-celebrate-the-end-of-dont-ask-dont-tell/596977/9 "2011-09-20T23:04:47Z")
> [@YogSosoth](#): > > Quick! Nobody ask him! 😉 OK. Illuminatiprimus, are you gay? ---
**Author:** ![Ferret\_Herder](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/e47774/32.png) [@Ferret\_Herder](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ferret_Herder)\ **Post date:** [September 20, 2011, 11:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/come-celebrate-the-end-of-dont-ask-dont-tell/596977/10 "2011-09-20T23:19:43Z")
> [@Nobody](#): > > OK. Illuminatiprimus, are you gay? Well played, sir. ---
**Author:** ![Nobody](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/94ad74/32.png) [@Nobody](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Nobody)\ **Post date:** [September 21, 2011, 1:19am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/come-celebrate-the-end-of-dont-ask-dont-tell/596977/11 "2011-09-21T01:19:04Z")
> [@Ferret\_Herder](#): > > Well played, sir. 😃 ---
**Author:** ![Dr.Drake](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/ad7895/32.png) [@Dr.Drake](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dr.Drake)\ **Post date:** [September 21, 2011, 1:49am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/come-celebrate-the-end-of-dont-ask-dont-tell/596977/12 "2011-09-21T01:49:37Z")
> [@Gangster\_Octopus](#): > > DOMA you’re next!!! Do you really think so, or is this just hope? I can easily imagine it falling when a couple of officers married in Massachusetts sue their branch of the military for discrimination. Then again, sometimes a Constitutional prohibition on gay marriage seems more likely. ---
**Author:** ![Illuminatiprimus](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/illuminatiprimus/32/11520_2.png) [@Illuminatiprimus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Illuminatiprimus)\ **Post date:** [September 21, 2011, 9:25am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/come-celebrate-the-end-of-dont-ask-dont-tell/596977/13 "2011-09-21T09:25:21Z")
> [@Nobody](#): > > OK. Illuminatiprimus, are you gay? Well, as nobody asked I guess I won’t tell. 😛 ---
**Author:** ![FairyChatMom](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/fairychatmom/32/21906_2.png) [@FairyChatMom](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/FairyChatMom)\ **Post date:** [September 21, 2011, 10:45am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/come-celebrate-the-end-of-dont-ask-dont-tell/596977/14 "2011-09-21T10:45:08Z")
The military has come a long way since I enlisted in '73. While I was in training in Memphis, one of the women in the company accused another of being gay. I suspect the basis was nothing more than the way she dressed - she wasn’t exactly a girly-girl. Anyway, the accusation led to a legal investigation which cost the accused girl a great set of orders, since she was on legal hold. Meanwhile, the accuser went on her merry way… The girl who was accused was cleared and she and I ended up assigned to the same squadron. But the interim was such a huge waste of time, resources, and probably a bit of her sanity. All because of a baseless accusation that had absolutely nothing to do with her ability to be a technician. I’m definitely glad to see this stupid policy go by the wayside. Sadly, I expect there will be some unpleasantness in the short term, but in the long run, this can only be a good thing. ---
**Author:** ![shantih](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/f6c823/32.png) [@shantih](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/shantih)\ **Post date:** [September 21, 2011, 11:06am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/come-celebrate-the-end-of-dont-ask-dont-tell/596977/15 "2011-09-21T11:06:24Z")
Aww, that was awesome! Hot guys with faboo arms coming out to their loving and accepting families FTW! ---
**Author:** ![Nobody](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/94ad74/32.png) [@Nobody](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Nobody)\ **Post date:** [September 21, 2011, 11:12am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/come-celebrate-the-end-of-dont-ask-dont-tell/596977/16 "2011-09-21T11:12:50Z")
> [@Illuminatiprimus](#): > > Well, as nobody asked I guess I won’t tell. > > 😛 To quote **Ferret Herder** , well played sir. 🆒 ---
**Author:** ![tdn](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/94ad74/32.png) [@tdn](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/tdn)\ **Post date:** [September 21, 2011, 1:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/come-celebrate-the-end-of-dont-ask-dont-tell/596977/17 "2011-09-21T13:22:47Z")
> [@Dr.Drake](#): > > Then again, sometimes a Constitutional prohibition on gay marriage seems more likely. It seems very unlikely to me. The tide has turned, and all that’s left is to enjoy watching the last homophobes twist in the wind. ---
**Author:** ![Northern\_Piper](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/northern_piper/32/5304_2.png) [@Northern\_Piper](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Northern_Piper)\ **Post date:** [September 21, 2011, 2:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/come-celebrate-the-end-of-dont-ask-dont-tell/596977/18 "2011-09-21T14:04:50Z")
Here’s an article from one soldier: [Why I’m Staying in the Closet: One Gay Soldier on the Repeal of ‘Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell’](http://www.tnr.com/article/politics/95111/dont-ask-dont-tell-military-obama-panetta-confessions) The conclusion to the article gives an interesting twist: [QUOTE=Anonymous Soldier] I then grabbed my M4 rifle, put my body armor back on, and began the slow walk back to camp. Soon, I ran into my battle buddy. He lit a cigarette. As he smoked it, I stood alongside him. He made no mention of the briefing. Neither did I. It was only a minor distraction from the training that remained in front of us. [/QUOTE] ---
**Author:** ![Uncle\_Brother\_Walker](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/u/f08c70/32.png) [@Uncle\_Brother\_Walker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Uncle_Brother_Walker)\ **Post date:** [September 21, 2011, 8:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/come-celebrate-the-end-of-dont-ask-dont-tell/596977/19 "2011-09-21T20:38:39Z")
Just for the record: After I completed Basic and AIT in the US Army, I met my first roommate in the barracks. I knew he was gay just from his room appearance (don’t ask me how; I just knew). He turned out to be the most competent LPN at the hospital we worked at, and a great guy as well. I didn’t mind that he was gay. (Well, except that one time I walked in on him and his boyfriend, but that’s a whole other story.) The second time I met a soldier who wasn’t quite as discretionary as to his sexual status was at Ft. Lewis, WA. We deployed together. He had his s\*\*t wired tight and was a great NCO. I did hear some harsh words regarding his lifestyle during off hours. I told the soldiers I didn’t like that kind of talk, but at least they stopped doing in my presence. I can’t say a bad word about him to this day. He was a good leader. Although I’m a straight man, I’m glad to see this ban lifted. I don’t think sexual orientation has any effect on your professional ability, what profession that may be. Even in the armed forces. ---
**Author:** ![Taomist](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/53a042/32.png) [@Taomist](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Taomist)\ **Post date:** [September 22, 2011, 3:38am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/come-celebrate-the-end-of-dont-ask-dont-tell/596977/20 "2011-09-22T03:38:50Z")
I’m happy about this, as I have a few friends enlisted who are gay and have always had that niggling worry that someone was going to use that as leverage against them for whatever reason. It’s more a sigh of relief and let’s get on with it than a celebratory thing, though. [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/come-celebrate-the-end-of-dont-ask-dont-tell/596977.md?page=2)