An Army sergeant who was wounded in Iraq wants a chance to remain in the military as an openly gay soldier, a desire that's bringing him into conflict with the Pentagon's "don't ask, don't tell" policy.
Sgt. Robert Stout, 23, says he has not encountered trouble from fellow soldiers and would like to stay if not for the policy that permits gay men and women to serve only if they keep their sexual orientation a secret.
"I know a ton of gay men that would be more than willing to stay in the Army if they could just be open," Stout said in an interview with The Associated Press. "But if we have to stay here and hide our lives all the time, it's just not worth it."
"Like, at the morning formation, the Platoon Sergeant should have to call a roll for all gay soldiers, too. And we should get gay commendation medals and gay ribbons to wear on our gay uniforms. Because being gay and proud is what we joined the Army to be! Everybody must know and tell us daily what a good gay job we're doing." |