Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell has become one of the most controversial policies in American history. The Clinton-era restriction forbids American soldiers from disclosing or inquiring about their or someone else’s homosexuality. Thousands of soldiers have been discharged under this bit of official discrimination, including a young man named Jason Knight.
Knight came out back in 2004, accepted a discharge and forfeited his Navy career. By some miracle – or, perhaps, the military’s selective memory – Knight’s back in action. From Stars and Stripes:
On his wedding night in July 2004, then-Petty Officer 3rd Class Jason Knight finally accepted a truth he had fought against for years: he was gay.
Almost immediately, he moved to get his marriage annulled. He apologized to the woman he’d married. And when it came time to explain his changing circumstances to the Navy, he left nothing out. Under the military’s “don’t ask, don’t tell” policy, he was quickly discharged from the service.
But now – whether through a clerical oversight or what some claim is an unwritten change in policy to keep more gay servicemembers in the ranks at a time of war – Jason Knight is back on active duty.
Since promoted to petty officer second class, Knight is finishing a scheduled one-year tour in Kuwait with Naval Customs Battalion Bravo. And, already kicked out of the Navy once, he sees no need to hide his sexual orientation.
Could it be the military has finally learned the error of its anti-gay ways? Or did Knight just slip through the bureaucratic cracks? Could be the former, for the Navy that asked Knight back. It seems the tide’s a changin’…
Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell, Oh, Nevermind [Queersighted]
naprem
Good God, on his wedding night? One would hope he had something of an inkling that he liked cock before he got that far, no? But he spent all that money and time on the lie, then gave up on the first night? Spaz.
Michael
Better he recognize he is Gay on his wedding night then to pull “I am a Gay American” ala Jim McGreevey. If anything, he is proving “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell” is a crock of you know what and a waste of taxpayer dollars in the money spent to make Gays in the military lives a living hell.
Bruce Wyatt
Comments like “spaz” from naprem surely must be from an inexperienced and uninformed perspective. It is hardly a simple situation that Petty Officer Second Class Jason Knight wrestled with, even before his wedding night. Congratulations, Jason! It is honorable that you finally faced the truth, are living a happier life, and that you willingly serve our great country! I wish the Air Force would call me back to duty too. I know first hand what it’s like to be discharged under the rediculous Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell policy. http://www.q-notes.com/features/feature2006/feature02_092306.html
Michael
Bruce and Jason, thank you for service to our country. Sadly, you have been treated horribly Bruce for simply being Gay. The whole policy is abhorrent and should be abolished. There are many countries (most, in fact) where Gays serve openly in the military without any problem whatsoever. This country is still in the Dark Ages on this issue. I applaud Jason for coming out and serving openly upon his return to service.
Thank you to both of you for being honorable soldiers…where our country has not been honorable to you for your service.
Oscar
They are sending him back to see that maybe he’ll get kill. It is a good way to to get rid of a fag and look good at the same time. I bet he’ll be in ther front lines, right where the highest causualties occur. Thanks to the Navy for nothing but genocide.