(OURview) MK gets reaction from Alva and Frank on the End of DADT!

by MK Scott

One of OUTview's first pod-casts in May 2009 was on the Repeal of Don't Ask-Don't Tell and my guests were Staff Sgt Eric Alva and Author, Nathaniel Frank. So it is fitting to get their reactions from Tuesday's Official end. 

Frank's book, 'Unfriendly Fire' was a Best seller and Many attribute to being an eye-opener to the big wigs that pushed for the Repeal.

I chatted with Frank earlier today and this what he said:

"Very rarely these days can we say that, all at once, the U.S. Congress did the right thing, the U.S. military did the right thing, the American President did the right thing, and the federal courts were aligned on the side of right. It's not always easy to get it right, but when we do, everyone wins. I hope that can somehow guide our future."

“People are going to say what they want, but for me it feels like it's New Year's Eve,” said Eric Alva to San Antonio Press.

Alva was standing behind the president as he signed the law.

“I was so close I could smell his cologne,” Alva said to QSalt Lake, “This really is a special moment. The repeal of this law is overdue. Long overdue, really. And I really think it will open the doors to more conversations and events. People will be forced to deal with questions about benefits for partners and we can start to work on other issues that are so important to have equality for all.”

Alva also pointed out in my 2010 Pride interview, that the repeal of DADT is applicable only to gays, lesbians and bisexuals. Gender identity and expression are not included in the repeal and openly transgender people are still not allowed into the armed services.

That will be the Next Fight!