Town Center Rally Calls for End to 'Don't Ask, Don't Tell'

Yesterday's rally in Virginia Beach against Don't Ask Don't Tell did not draw a huge crowd - probably in part because the weather which has been terrible for days did not start to really clear until late afternoon - but did get media coverage and perhaps caused a few people to think - although not many in this backwater based on the nasty comments submitted on the article - about the injustice and foolishness of discharging capable men and women from the military at the same time recruiters have been forced to accept high school drop outs, those with felony convictions and gang members in order to make recruiting goals. One of my friends is in the photo above to the right of the sign. Here are some highlights from the Virginian Pilot:

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Mike Brazell, 31, of Norfolk is gay and spent 10 years in the Navy. He was among speakers calling for Obama to act on his campaign promise to end “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell.” “We’re kicking out critical service members in a time of war,” he said. “And these re proud men and women who do nothing more than serve their country."

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People at the rally waved rainbow flags and held signs that said “Repeal Don’t Ask Don’t Tell.”
Kimberley Green of Chesapeake, who went to the rally with friends, said service members should not have to live their lives in secret. “They go out and do for us – they should be able to come home and it’s OK for them to be them,” she said.

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As for the Neanderthal comments that represent why this area is NOT one that will attract the creative class I discussed in a prior post any time in the near future, here's a taste (note that this jerk still thinks being gay is a choice):

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If you choose to be gay then don't choose a military lifestyle . . . .

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If the boyfriend and I had businesses that could easily relocate, believe me - I would leave Virginia in a heart beat. While we have a number of wonderful accepting friends, it does get old living in an area where bigots and idiots are in such large numbers.