Mon. September 5, 2011
Washington, D.C. -
Some lesbians and gay men who were discharged from the military under "Don't Ask, Don't Tell" are hoping to re-enlist when the policy is officially repealed on Sept. 20.
It might be hard for civilians to understand why anyone would want to return to a workplace where they were treated so poorly.
But Bleu Copas, who was kicked out of the Army in 2006 after just three years of service, told the New York Times his desire to return is like a "hunger."
Jase Daniels was kicked out of the Navy in 2005 for being gay, but the paperwork wasn't handled properly. So when he was called back the next year because they needed his language skills, he was thrilled.
"I wanted to go back so bad, I was jumping up and down," he said.
Daniels was discharged again for being gay a year later. But he still wants to re-enlist.
"The military was my life," he told the New York Times.
The Pentagon told the paper that bringing gay and lesbian troops back on board is not a sure thing, in spite of the end of "Don't Ask, Don't Tell."
"[People] will be evaluated according to the same criteria and requirements applicable to all others seeking re-entry," spokesperson Elleen Lainez told the NY Times.
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