The United States military began actively screening recruits for homosexuality in 1941. In 1993 that policy was replaced by the Clinton administration with “Don’t Ask Don’t Tell” — recruits were no longer actively screened, but any hint on being gay, lesbian or bisexual and they were out on their ear.
Finally, on September 20, 2011 the U.S. military officially ended its ban on openly LGB members, and 70 years of discrimination came to an end (transgender members of the military still face similar discrimination). In recognition of the end of DADT, Bayou City Performing Arts presents “Don’t Ask Don’t Tell — Coming Out Under Fire” featuring the Gay Men’s Chorus of Houston Saturday, March 24, at 7:30 p.m. at the Wortham Center, 501 Texas.
The concert, the first of it’s kind in the nation, combines protest songs, patriotic songs, show tunes, pop tunes and multiple numbers entitled “Don’t Ask Don’t Tell.” Special guests include host Staff Sergeant Eric Alva, the first Marine seriously injured in the Iraq War; Colonel Terrel Preston, United States Air Force (RET); and Operation Iraqi Freedom’s Intelligence Analyst Jacobi Montgomery, United States Army.
Tickets start at $30 and may purchased at BayouCityPerformingArts.com or by phone at: 713-521-7464.
