Two Takes On 'Don't Ask, Don't Tell'

With wit and a camera - two vastly different artists shoot holes in the ever sinking ship of 'Don't Ask, Don't Tell.'

Paul Rudnick, the 52 year old playwright and essayist does it with his usual coy, lacerating, truthful humor. Found in this week's New Yorker, Rudnick makes his point very well through the voice of Marine Corporal Roger T. Sing it sister! (Read Don't Ask Me)

While L.A. based photographer Jeff Sheng, just 29 years old has photographed 17 different closeted service men and women serving in the military and published the photos along with profiles in a book called 'Don't Ask, Don't Tell.' Each soldier taking the enormous risk of being found out - but felt it was necessary to become visible.

Matt, a 24 year old medic who served two tours in Iraq said this: "Once you are deployed, you live with people in an intimate way. YOu trust them with your life and they become brothers and sisters. I couldn't help thinking that if something happened to me, no one would know who I was. That is not the way I want to leave this world."

After seeing his photograph in Shang's book Matt was "blown away," adding "I became very emotional. After all I had been through....in one instant I could go from War Hero to the The gay soldier that was discharged. How could this be right?"

How could this be right? It wouldn't be right. One gets the feeling that we are nearly there. That some day soon an openly gay young man can choose to join the military, serve his country, communicate with family, friends and the man he loves without fear. He can be the man he wants to be, and has every right to be.

I encourage you to read the New York Times article about Jeff Shang, 'He Asked. They Told.' His photography book "Don't Ask, Don't Tell' is self published and available at dadtbook.com