Pardon the nautical metaphor, but Sept 20 may very well be seen as the date the seas changed with regards to gay and lesbian equality in the USA. Today is the day thousands of men and women in uniform are celebrating the final and formal repeal of the odious "don't ask, don't tell" law.
Coming soon after such milestones as New York State's approval of same-sex marriage, but amidst such discriminatory activity as the West Virginia's efforts to over-ride its obligation to recognize marriages performed in other states, full equality for gays and lesbians still seems far from secure. I believe, nevertheless, that attitudes, and legal rights, will begin to change quickly with new military policy in effect.
America cherishes its men and women in uniform too much to deny them the same rights as other American's enjoy. Similarly to how racial integration of the armed forces preceded the civil rights movement of the 1960s - but at an accelerated pace - this latest change may very well lead an unprecedented rush to end legal discrimination based on sexual orientation.
It wasn't long after Canada allowed its gay/lesbian soldiers, sailors and aviators to serve openly that the last opposition to same-sex marriage crumbled. Will the same happen in the USA. There's a very good chance it will.
