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“Every patriot, gay and
straight, leaves a mark on the history through their service to our country.
” – SLDN
____________________________
WASHINGTON, October. 26, 2005
– As reports circulated yesterday that American casualties in the war in Iraq have reached
2000, statistician Gary Gates estimated today that more than 25 of those
killed were gay or lesbian.
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More than 65,000 lesbian and gay
Americans are on active duty and serving in the National Guard and reserves,
according to an earlier estimate by Gates.
“Lesbian and gay soldiers are
fighting and dying in Iraq, too,” said C. Dixon Osburn, executive director
of Servicemembers Legal Defense Network (SLDN).
“Because of the muzzle placed on
the 65,000 gay service members now reporting for duty, the stories of those
wounded and killed often go untold. There is no doubt, however, that the
LGBT community has served and sacrificed in Iraq, just as they have in every
American conflict since the American Revolution.”
President Bush said yesterday that
the country had lost some of the nation’s finest men and women in the war on
terror. “Each of these men and women left grieving families and left loved
ones back home. Each of these patriots left a legacy that allowed
generations of their fellow Americans to enjoy the blessings of liberty,”
the President said.
“Those finest men and women of our
nation,” said Osburn, “include gay and lesbian troops. Their families and
loved ones, however, are left to grieve alone, without recognition from our
government or our military.
“Every patriot, gay and straight,
leaves a mark on the history through their service to our country. The
blessings of liberty must include the right to serve openly without fear of
retribution from the United States government.”
Since the U.S.-led invasion began
in March 2003, more than 15,000 American service members have been wounded
in the conflict, according to the Defense Department. More than 150 of
those wounded, according estimates released today, have been gay or lesbian.
Earlier this year, Robert Stout, a
Purple Heart recipient wounded in Iraq, came out in an Associated Press
interview earlier this year. Sgt. Stout was dismissed from the Army.
According to a CNN tally, 2,194
coalition troops have died in the war.
■ In the United Kingdom and
several other European countries, gay men and women can openly serve is all
branches of the military.
SEE ALSO
We All Bleed the Same by Robert Stout, as
told to Steve Estes. (Military Education Initiative website)
LINKS
Servicemembers Legal Defense Network (SLDN)
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Archive main page
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