Just one year after the repeal of the U.S. military's highly contested 'don't ask, don't tell' policy, the Pentagon held a ceremony in honor of gay and lesbian service members.
The celebration was broadcast on an internal TV network to U.S. military bases around the world, and included traditional color guard marching and previously recorded videos from President Obama and Defense Secretary Leon E. Panetta and a panel discussion on "The Value of Open Service and Diversity."
The ceremony was a far cry from the spirit of civilian gay pride events, but the event was given the same respect as can be expected from other military honors.
The Pride honors signal a dramatic change in attitude for the United States military. At what's said to be the first same-sex ceremony on a military base, last Saturday a Navy chaplain married an Air Force officer and his civilian partner.
The celebration was broadcast on an internal TV network to U.S. military bases around the world, and included traditional color guard marching and previously recorded videos from President Obama and Defense Secretary Leon E. Panetta and a panel discussion on "The Value of Open Service and Diversity."
The ceremony was a far cry from the spirit of civilian gay pride events, but the event was given the same respect as can be expected from other military honors.
The Pride honors signal a dramatic change in attitude for the United States military. At what's said to be the first same-sex ceremony on a military base, last Saturday a Navy chaplain married an Air Force officer and his civilian partner.
It is hard to overestimate the positive impact of the repeal of DADT. As Pres. Truman’s order integrating the armed forces in 1948 paved the way for the Civil Rights Movement, so the repeal of DADT will be intrumental in paving the way towards full Legal LBGT Equality in the next few years.