Gay Veteran, 81, Awaits Repeal of 'Don't Ask' Policy (AOLNews)
Garrison Phillips hasn't worn the uniform of the United States Army since he returned from Korea more than half a century ago. He calls his time in the military "a very prideful period of my life, and I can't imagine not having gone to do it."
To show his pride, Phillips has marched for years in New York's Veterans Day parade. He also is a regular at another annual event: New York City's gay pride parade.
Now, at 81, the former actor is watching from the sidelines as gay rights advocates fight legislative and legal battles to repeal the Pentagon's "don't ask, don't tell" policy that bars gays from serving openly.
"Our ancestors came to this country to escape persecution, and now many European militaries allow gays to serve without major disruptions. Yet here in America we're not doing that," Phillips said in a phone interview with AOL News. "It's astonishing to me."
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Complete article at AOL News : http://aol.it/9PtOJo
