Mark Takano: “Today's Special Order hour marks the 10- year anniversary of the enactment of the Don't Ask, Don't Tell Repeal Act of…”

“Today's Special Order hour marks the 10- year anniversary of the enactment of the Don't Ask, Don't Tell Repeal Act of 2010. This legislation represented the end of an era, the close of a dark chapter in our military history in which LGBTQ members of the Armed Forces were forced to hide who they were under the threat of investigation and discharge. Lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer servicemembers of that era paid a heavy cost to serve their country, one that required them to uphold an uncompromising oath of integrity while at the same time publicly denying a fundamental aspect of their lives. It is thanks to their resilience, their strength, and their activism that repeal was ever achieved, and we honor those veterans today. I believe it is important to hear from the veterans themselves from those who served and survived Don't Ask, Don't Tell. It is my pleasure this evening to welcome a number of my colleagues to the floor to read the testimony of five individuals who served under Don't Ask, Don't Tell. It is my distinct privilege to start with the testimony of Lindsay Church, a Navy veteran who served from 2008 to 2012. Lindsay is a third-generation sailor and the sixth in their family to serve in the military. They are a cofounder and executive director of the veteran serving organization Minority Veterans of America and have nearly a decade of experience in veterans advocacy.…”