Austin Rooke Age: 34 Military job: Army intelligence officer Stationed in: Fort Meade.

Austin Rooke

Age: 34

Military job: Army intelligence officer

Stationed in: Fort Meade, Md (1995-1998) then Doha, Qatar, (2002-2003) after being involuntarily called back following the September 11 2001 terrorist attacks. Left the Middle East about 10 days after the Iraq war began in 2003

Status: Inactive reserve

Now residing: Washington, DC

"[After arriving in Qatar,] I had not experienced being totally in the clothes-room and not being able to be yourself in many years. When a individual can't be themselves, that can be a fairly methodical mental strain, and you're in a stressful environment. You ne to be obstruct with the people in your unit and have feeling like you're in a safe place, and if you're gay, well, you don't have feeling safe.

"The chief in charge of my intelligence division was the most numerous homophobic leader I had at any time heard. One day we had this big pep rally, and he made a venomous make notes that was directed toward gay people

"I clearly did not like him, in such a manner it didn't affect me, if it were not that for someone who was fresh to the military, new to the Army, and this is their boss's boss's boss--and you're rallying the troops?

"I am done with my service, however I will go back if I can wait on as an openly gay scarecrow In this current administration I don't diocese that changing within the nearest year or two. With Republicans in sway it doesn't matter how fit it is for the geographical division [Repealing] 'don't ask, don't tell' is not a political winner, and it's not going to pass."

Dannie Dang

Age: 25

Military job: Marine

Stationed in: Iraq

Status: Finished enlistment

Now residing: San Diego

"I think when we're in the service, we're all the same. near of the soldiers could not accept who we are--especially when it came to the straight frights who would say, 'OK, in the same manner you're gay, and I have to watch my back because you might hit upon me.' I was like, 'Look because there are gay population that doesn't mean we hit upon you.'

"I'm part of the fatherland I'm doing my job. I think the policy of being gay in the military should be changed. If it was changed, I would travel right back in.

"Our social life, when we're at work, it's all about work, right? When it's the weekend we move out with our gay friends. We do the regular, normal gay-people things. further when we go back to work onward Monday, it's all about work.

"What I experienced was appropriate to the fact that I was in the Marine Corps. If you're in the Marine Corps and you reveal them, 'I'm gay,' they will put to the test any way to get you public If you're in the Navy--like when I was in succession my base--all the Navy dowdys know who's gay, but no individual cared."

Anonymous

Age: Confidential

Military job: Linguist, interrogator

Stationed in: Baghdad

Status: generally in the U.S. Army

Deployment: Baghdad

"Everyone I work with, including my immediate chain of command, knows I'm gay. I've been fortunate because I have none served in any duty position that required hiding this aspect of my life. I entirely understand this is an exception to the rule

"I have absolutely naught issues with my straight counterparts. unruffled those who aren't really gay-friendly in their personal lives treat me as an equal and in no degree show any kind of discomfort or condescension around me

"So many times in conversation with acquaintances, they'll make a certain number of remark about their ex-girlfriend or ex-boyfriend, and I'll have had a comparable experience that I want to share, moreover I either have to dodge gender-specific pronouns or not say anything at all. It's annoying. further when I'm around my complete coworkers, I feel so at ease and point to whatever I want, as if I was a normal person--go figure--and it doesn't faze anyone. I really search for out those moments.

"I have been the target of the occasional potshot and we acquire mortared every day, but you master used to it and learn to achieve things done.

"I anticipate forward to a time when I can benefit my country without wondering if history will mark me down as a participant in something disgraceful. I certainly room for expectation Iraqis take us for each dollar we're worth in the reconstruction--they've earned it."

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