This is hopeful to me. This is the Barack I've come to know.
This is also a first for a U.S. President:
Second Lieutenant Sandy Tsao is a Chinese-American young woman, 24-years-old, in the United States Army. She made the decision to come out as gay, knowing full well this might jeopardize her job. Sandy wrote a letter to Barack Obama in January when she made this decision to come out of the closet, asking the President to repeal Dont Ask, Dont Tell.
Her letter closed with this:
"We have the best military in the world and I would like to continue to be part of it. My mother can tell you it is my dream to serve our country. I have fought and overcome many barriers to arrive at the point I am at today. This is the only battle I fear I may lose. Even if it is too late for me, I do hope, Mr. President, that you will help us to win the war against prejudice so that future generations will continue to work together and fight for our freedoms regardless of race, color, gender, religion, national origin or sexual orientation."
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Three days ago, Tuesday, May 5th, Sandy received a package from the White House. Inside, was a personal handwritten note from Obama.
http://glaadblog.org/wp-content/uploads/2009/05/picture-1.png
"Sandy - Thanks for the wonderful and thoughtful letter. It is because of outstanding Americans like you that I committed to changing our current policy. Although it will take some time to complete (partly because it needs Congressional action) I intend to fulfill my commitment. Barack Obama."
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Sandys last day in the army is May 19. She's being discharged under the DADT policy. Tsao expects to receive an Article 15 honorable discharge because of homosexual conduct.
Yes, merely stating you're gay is considered "homosexual conduct" under the current policy.
This is also a first for a U.S. President:
Second Lieutenant Sandy Tsao is a Chinese-American young woman, 24-years-old, in the United States Army. She made the decision to come out as gay, knowing full well this might jeopardize her job. Sandy wrote a letter to Barack Obama in January when she made this decision to come out of the closet, asking the President to repeal Dont Ask, Dont Tell.
Her letter closed with this:
"We have the best military in the world and I would like to continue to be part of it. My mother can tell you it is my dream to serve our country. I have fought and overcome many barriers to arrive at the point I am at today. This is the only battle I fear I may lose. Even if it is too late for me, I do hope, Mr. President, that you will help us to win the war against prejudice so that future generations will continue to work together and fight for our freedoms regardless of race, color, gender, religion, national origin or sexual orientation."
--------------------
Three days ago, Tuesday, May 5th, Sandy received a package from the White House. Inside, was a personal handwritten note from Obama.
http://glaadblog.org/wp-content/uploads/2009/05/picture-1.png
"Sandy - Thanks for the wonderful and thoughtful letter. It is because of outstanding Americans like you that I committed to changing our current policy. Although it will take some time to complete (partly because it needs Congressional action) I intend to fulfill my commitment. Barack Obama."
--------------------
Sandys last day in the army is May 19. She's being discharged under the DADT policy. Tsao expects to receive an Article 15 honorable discharge because of homosexual conduct.
Yes, merely stating you're gay is considered "homosexual conduct" under the current policy.