Crystal lee joined the U.S. Army in 2001. She joined the army and had been assigned as a diesel engine mechanic. She explains that the military was very quiet when sexuality was a topic. Soldiers were always afraid of being caught so they would never talk about being homosexual. These troops would also do anything to make sure they were never suspected of being gay. SSgt. Lee also remembers friends that were removed from the service because they were suspected of being homosexual. She also explains that she did tell other soldiers that she was homosexual; she had to make sure she never told anyone that would report her.When the “DADT” was removed, the prejudices against homosexuals stayed within the soldiers. Homosexual servicemen and women still tried to keep their secret hidden from the others. "It 's something you had to come to terms with. This is me. I 'm proud of me. But this is who I have to be right now," Lee said. "I don 't know what 's more courageous: to pretend and stay in so that I can serve my country and make that sacrifice of who I am to serve my country, or to stand up for who I am and what I believe and say, 'you know what, you 're system doesn 't work for me, because I 'm not going to denounce myself and pretend I 'm not proud. ' "Gay Military Members Reflect on Service Before and After DADT.. (www.military.com) SSgt. Lee also realized during her enlistment that she was proud of being her, but she had to cover it for a while. She didn’t know at the time which option was most patriotic, to lie and serve her country or to express herself and to stand up for what she believes is right. After intense thought and time, SSgt. Crystal Lee decided to serve her country. The military started a slogan which read “It’s OK to be gay,” which persuaded military members to be open with their sexuality. As the slogan became known, homosexual troops still felt the need the hide. Benefits were
Crystal lee joined the U.S. Army in 2001. She joined the army and had been assigned as a diesel engine mechanic. She explains that the military was very quiet when sexuality was a topic. Soldiers were always afraid of being caught so they would never talk about being homosexual. These troops would also do anything to make sure they were never suspected of being gay. SSgt. Lee also remembers friends that were removed from the service because they were suspected of being homosexual. She also explains that she did tell other soldiers that she was homosexual; she had to make sure she never told anyone that would report her.When the “DADT” was removed, the prejudices against homosexuals stayed within the soldiers. Homosexual servicemen and women still tried to keep their secret hidden from the others. "It 's something you had to come to terms with. This is me. I 'm proud of me. But this is who I have to be right now," Lee said. "I don 't know what 's more courageous: to pretend and stay in so that I can serve my country and make that sacrifice of who I am to serve my country, or to stand up for who I am and what I believe and say, 'you know what, you 're system doesn 't work for me, because I 'm not going to denounce myself and pretend I 'm not proud. ' "Gay Military Members Reflect on Service Before and After DADT.. (www.military.com) SSgt. Lee also realized during her enlistment that she was proud of being her, but she had to cover it for a while. She didn’t know at the time which option was most patriotic, to lie and serve her country or to express herself and to stand up for what she believes is right. After intense thought and time, SSgt. Crystal Lee decided to serve her country. The military started a slogan which read “It’s OK to be gay,” which persuaded military members to be open with their sexuality. As the slogan became known, homosexual troops still felt the need the hide. Benefits were