U.S. Air Force Academy Graduates First Openly Gay Cadets

**Foxrac** · 05-24-2012, 01:20 PM

In yet another historic, post-"Don't Ask, Don't Tell" moment, the U.S. Air Force Academy graduated the nation's first group of openly gay cadets this week.

ABC News' Devin Dwyer caught up with faculty members and some of the graduates, each of which shook hands with President Obama during the ceremony in Colorado Springs, Colo. Aside from the fact that openly gay members were among the ranks, most cadets interviewed said the impact from last year's repeal was relatively minimal.

"It's pretty much just like any other repeal," one cadet said. "We just got told that this is what's gonna happen, and we all need to be adults about it."

Though several media outlets have noted the lack of rainbow flags or other obvious lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) pride-relevant symbols during the ceremony, Trish Heller -- who heads the Blue Alliance, an association of LGBT Air Force Academy alumni -- said the reason was obvious.

"The whole thing is we don’t want to be identified as anything different," Heller is quoted by ABC as saying. She noted that her group had connected with at least four members of the class of 2012 who had come out publicly as LGBT, though others likely preferred to keep a low profile. "We want to serve, to be professional and to be symbols of what it means to be Air Force Academy graduates."

U.S. Air Force Academy Graduates First Openly Gay Cadets (VIDEO)

**Foxrac** · 05-24-2012, 01:21 PM

That's awesome to hear.

Frisky Feline · 05-24-2012, 02:02 PM

cool. hope they dont give them hard times!

soutthpaw · 05-25-2012, 01:02 PM

They did do several polls within the military and found over 80% of the military could care less about the repeal of don't ask, don't tell.

05-24-2012, 01:20 PM	#1 (permalink)
Foxrac Need Stormtroopers? Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: Zaphias Posts: 33,198	U.S. Air Force Academy Graduates First Openly Gay Cadets In yet another historic, post-"Don't Ask, Don't Tell" moment, the U.S. Air Force Academy graduated the nation's first group of openly gay cadets this week. ABC News' Devin Dwyer caught up with faculty members and some of the graduates, each of which shook hands with President Obama during the ceremony in Colorado Springs, Colo. Aside from the fact that openly gay members were among the ranks, most cadets interviewed said the impact from last year's repeal was relatively minimal. "It's pretty much just like any other repeal," one cadet said. "We just got told that this is what's gonna happen, and we all need to be adults about it." Though several media outlets have noted the lack of rainbow flags or other obvious lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) pride-relevant symbols during the ceremony, Trish Heller -- who heads the Blue Alliance, an association of LGBT Air Force Academy alumni -- said the reason was obvious. "The whole thing is we don’t want to be identified as anything different," Heller is quoted by ABC as saying. She noted that her group had connected with at least four members of the class of 2012 who had come out publicly as LGBT, though others likely preferred to keep a low profile. "We want to serve, to be professional and to be symbols of what it means to be Air Force Academy graduates." U.S. Air Force Academy Graduates First Openly Gay Cadets (VIDEO) __________________ In Moto We Trust

05-24-2012, 01:21 PM	#2 (permalink)
Foxrac Need Stormtroopers? Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: Zaphias Posts: 33,198	That's awesome to hear. __________________ In Moto We Trust

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05-24-2012, 02:02 PM	#3 (permalink)
Frisky Feline Registered User Join Date: Jun 2003 Posts: 20,540	cool. hope they dont give them hard times!

05-25-2012, 01:02 PM	#4 (permalink)
soutthpaw Registered User Join Date: Jan 2011 Location: Colorado Posts: 345	They did do several polls within the military and found over 80% of the military could care less about the repeal of don't ask, don't tell.