Sue Fulton of Knights Out Against Don't Ask, Don't Tell

Although it affects Jo and I on a daily basis, my own grandfather isn't 100% in favor of repealing Don't Ask, Don't Tell. Hence, I am grateful when someone agrees that the code is ludicrous. Especially when this someone graduated from the US Military Academy, served for five years in the Signal Corps in Germany, as a platoon leader, staff officer, and company commander and openly speaks out against Don't Ask, Don't Tell.

This woman on our side is Sue Fulton.  The Sunday morning guest on Rainbow Radio co-founded Knights Out and currently acts as their Communications Director.  Knights Out is an organization of LGBTQ West Point alumni with 75 graduates who are OUT.  There are another 150 graduate supporters including former West Point professors, Rhodes Scholars, decorated combat veterans from the Vietnam War, Iraq and Afghanistan, and many others who are coming out and serving their country in a new way.

Knights Out takes a firm stance against Don't Ask, Don't Tell.  From the West Point Cadet Prayer, the organization's mantra states "..never to be content with a half-truth when the whole truth can be won."  Fulton understands our plight for equality in its true form.  Fulton described Knights Out's mission as a statement of honor.  They strive for full equal rights for gays in the military and the opportunity to stand up and tell the truth.

Despite her active role in Don't Ask, Don't Tell reform, Fulton discussed her previous experience as a lesbian in the military. Fulton painted a sad picture of closeted lesbian life at West Point and the lifestyle that proceeded as an active duty soldier. She was investigated in the early 1980s due to false accusations by a homophobic commander.  Although the charges were dropped, Fulton described the agony she experienced during the investigation.  It still " haunts her "that she was forced to lie about her sexual preference.  When Daniel Choi came out earlier this year (Choi is a co-founder of Knights Out), Fulton finally experienced some liberation.

Fulton was optimistic that the initial repeal of DADT could take place within the next year.  With her on our side, perhaps she might be right.

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