September 12, 2010
Gay and lesbian soldiers escort Lady Gaga into VMAs
Michael K. Lavers READ TIME: 1 MIN.
Four gay and lesbian soldiers chaperoned Lady Gaga into the MTV Video Music Awards earlier tonight in Los Angeles.
The Servicemembers Legal Defense Network identified the four soldiers as former U.S. Air Force Staff Sgt. David Hall; former U.S. Air Force Major Mike Almy; former U.S. Army Sgt. First Class Stacy Vasquez, all of whom the military discharged under Don't Ask, Don't Tell; and former West Point cadet Katie Miller, who resigned last month to protest DADT. Lady Gaga met with Hall, Vasquez, Miller and former Marine Lance Corporal Danny Hernandez before she performed at the Verizon Center in Washington, D.C., on Tuesday, Sept. 7.
"Lady Gaga's recognition of these fine patriots casts a spotlight on the unjust burden that 'Don't Ask, Don't Tell' imposes upon the brave men and women who defend our country every day, and further underscores why the Senate must swiftly act to get rid of this despicable law for good," said SLDN executive director Aubrey Sarvis in a statement.
Lady Gaga's action comes less than a week after a federal judge in California ruled the military's ban on openly gay and lesbian soldiers is unconstitutional. The U.S. Senate is expected to debate the possible repeal of DADT later this month.
Based in Washington, D.C., Michael K. Lavers has appeared in the New York Times, BBC, WNYC, Huffington Post, Village Voice, Advocate and other mainstream and LGBT media outlets. He is an unapologetic political junkie who thoroughly enjoys living inside the Beltway.
