TIME Magazine's 'Officer X' Come Out of the Closet
For the past few months a service member has been blogging at TIME about the repeal of 'DADT' and today he came out of the closet as 1st Lt. Karl Johnson:
A 25 year old -- who flies U.S. Air Force C-17 cargo jets and has a degree in mechanical engineering from Syracuse University -- may seem like an unlikely candidate to blog for TIME, or wear the hat of an activist. At first the idea of writing for Battleland was nothing short of intimidating, but the decision of whether or not to accept was easy: the opportunity to give a voice to those of us who have been voiceless for years, as a matter of federal law, was too good to pass up.
Being the mind behind the OX silhouette has been an eye-opening experience. I've thoroughly enjoyed reading every comment, every email, every tweet, and trying my best to keep up with the responses. My only regret in this whole process is that I didn't start sooner.
At the moment this blog goes live I will be walking out my front door to start my first day at the squadron out of the closet.
Previously...
Officer X: Gay U.S. Military Pilot Writes Blog for TIME Magazine [tr]
This is a great story. The journey to DADT repeal has been fascinating and rewarding to be a part of. I particularly want to thank Andy of Towleroad for keeping us up to date and informed through the many years and months of this journey.
Posted by: jason | Sep 22, 2011 8:51:34 AM
Enough about soldiers on blogs and youtube who hid their faces and identities. They CHOSE a profession where they have to hide their sexual orientation and then said they had no choice. Well, they did have a choice - go work somewhere where you can be open about yourself. There are a lot of other professions that they could have gone into. I was out of the closet at work and open about myself before a lot of these soldiers were even born
Posted by: Enough | Sep 22, 2011 9:23:38 AM
@enough
Your Bitterness is showing.
Were you this seemingly unpleasant at work? You seem to have a chip on your shoulder.
I have to take your word that you are an openly gay man, but your thinking is right out of 1993 when DADT was first implemented.
Catch up!
As a combat Vietnam vet who served in silence, I'm thrilled with the repeal of DADT and have only joy in my heart for those who can now serve openly and without fear of retribution. Thank you for your service, and best wishes moving forward.
Posted by: mytwocents | Sep 22, 2011 12:03:28 PM
To MYTWOCENTS,
You didn't argue any of the facts I pointed out because they ARE INDEED facts! It was your choice that you "served in silence" like a scared little coward. No one forced you to do that but yourself. Be a man.
Posted by: Enough | Sep 22, 2011 12:22:42 PM
Clearly ENOUGH must be either a florist, a hairdresser, or an interior designer. Clearly good ways to make a living, but definitely not a career or moreso a VOCATION--which is exactly what military service or the ministry is....stop being a hater amigo and celebrate! Isn't it great to be alive when so much progress is happening before your eyes?
Posted by: Interestante | Sep 22, 2011 1:14:35 PM
I think Enough is missing a key point: many of these soldiers didn't fully realize or acknowledge their orientation until after they joined the forces. Once inside they enjoyed the work, comeradarie and the mission so much that they didn't just want to leave. Now they can pursue their military careers without the burden of cognitive dissonance. And the military can save money by not forcing personnel in whom so much has been invested to leave the services. It is great progress.
Posted by: albert | Sep 22, 2011 1:49:42 PM
Gay citizens who truly want to serve their country in the armed forces should never have been prevented from making that choice by bigots. The only "fact" here is that they were discriminated against institutionally, and now after a lot of hard work by a lot of activists and supporters, they are free to make that choice.
I respect anyone who wants to put on the uniform and serve, and these soldiers (and my2cents) have earned that and my thanks. I have no respect for the bitter and smug who choose to ignore their sacrifices and the huge progress this repeal represents for us all.
Posted by: antb | Sep 22, 2011 1:57:17 PM
@Enough- served in silence "like a coward?" Are you really calling someone who flies jets in the Air Force a coward? If he came out when he was in the Air Force he'd have been dishonorably discharged and he would have lost not only his career but all of his rights and benefits that went along with it. He served his country at great personal cost, and there is nothing cowardly about that.
Posted by: Mark | Sep 22, 2011 2:52:13 PM
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Posted by: Wholesale MLB jerseys | Sep 25, 2011 10:16:17 PM
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Posted by: Chioke Hassan | Oct 11, 2011 9:18:03 PM
There are Cops on the streets that are quiet about there sexuality. Male and Female.
Posted by: Chioke Hassan | Oct 11, 2011 9:19:28 PM