Troops To March (First Time Openly) In San Diego's (Gay) Pride Parade - AP/AJC

[WillyT]

Troops to march in San Diego's Pride parade
By JULIE WATSON - The Associated Press
2:06 p.m. Friday, July 15, 2011

<snip>

SAN DIEGO — Sean Sala felt so elated when Congress approved repealing the military's ban on openly gay troops the 26-year-old sailor went on TV and revealed his sexual orientation publicly in what he calls his "Rosa Parks moment."

Now the former Navy operations specialist, who finished his service last month, is organizing what is believed to be the first military contingent of hundreds of active-duty troops and veterans to lead a gay pride parade. The group will march Saturday in San Diego's parade, the nation's fifth largest.

The national Servicemembers Legal Defense Network — representing gay and lesbian active-duty military personnel — said they told Sala they are warning members that it is still a risk to come out as long as "don't ask, don't tell" is on the books. "We communicated to him that anyone who participates is assuming a certain level of risk," spokesman Zeke Stokes said. "We are looking forward to a time when LGBT service members can participate in these kinds of actions without any risk."

Sala said it's time for the gay and lesbian community to stop hiding in fear. "This is not in any way a violation of military policy and it's time for the country to move on — plain and simple," he said.

<snip>

More: http://www.ajc.com/news/nation-world/troops-to-march-in-1018875.html

:patriot:

:kick:

[Bluebear]

1. Too bad their commander-in-chief won't support them yet.

[WillyT]

2. True...But Like The Rest Of Us, It's A Grassroots Thing

Why wait for the idiots in Washington?

:shrug:

:hi:

[Bluebear]

3. +

[Ken Burch]

4. Good for them

n/t.