I try to keep my political views separate from this lil blog o’ mine, so I’ll keep my thoughts short and sweet. The Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell project by Los Angeles photographer Jeff Sheng found the direct route to my heartstrings and yanked them. Hard.
Don’t ask, don’t tell (DADT) is the common term for the policy stopping openly gay, lesbian, and bisexual individuals from serving in the United States military, as mandated by federal law Pub.L. 103-160 (10 U.S.C. § 654). Unless one of the exceptions from 10 U.S.C. § 654(b) applies, the policy prohibits anyone who “demonstrate(s) a propensity or intent to engage in homosexual acts” from serving in the armed forces of the United States, because “it would create an unacceptable risk to the high standards of morale, good order and discipline, and unit cohesion that are the essence of military capability.” (via Wiki)
Each picture is titled with a name and place of significance to each person. Each subject, in full uniform, is photographed with his or her face obscured.
How that must feel…to have to conceal who you are while voluntarily putting your life on the line to defend a country where your rights are not fully respected.
It boggles.my.mind.
- Mark, Savannah, Georgia, 2009
- Catalina, New York, New York, 2009
- Craig, Baltimore, Maryland, 2009
- Glynn and Celine, Fort Worth, Texas, 2009
- Mike, Boston, Massachusetts, 2009
Photos are from Volume 1, available for purchase here. Volume 2 is in progress.
photos via The Los Angeles Times / Thanks to Linda for the heads up.
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REMINDER: I have no problem with dissenting opinions. I have a MAJOR problem with people being assholes in my comment section. Please be respectful. Thaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaanks!
17 Responses to “…if you don’t ask, I won’t tell…”
Wow, very powerful. I love what photography can do.
This is such powerful imagery and so sad when you think about the double lives people are forced to live.
N-
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these photographs grip my heart. :S
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Incredible images. Thanks for passing these along.
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Gorgeous, gut-wrenching, completely awesome.
You always post the coolest shit, Alicia.
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Alicia Reply:
February 12th, 2010 at 5:48 pm
You just made my day. =D
These are so powerful. They remind me of why I love photography so much—you can capture and freeze a fraction of a second in time and tell a rich, multi-layered story.
I shouldn’t be surprised at this example of intolerance and bigotry in our country. But at the same time, I am kind of blown away that in the 21st century, this government is telling people they have to lie about who they are and who they love to serve and possibly die for their country. Unbelievable. I truly hope DADT gets repealed soon. This is ridiculous.
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I want to know to know your political opinions.
This is a great project and the photos speak volumes.
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I guess I was a little shocked to see a subject from Savannah, GA (my hometown, born & raised). Not to say that there aren’t soldiers putting their lives on the line for this wacko nation who are from Savannah and happen to be bisexual, gay, or lesbian, but… I guess I just wasn’t expecting Savannah as a location, it’s… always so far from my mind in things that are what I consider semi-important|poignant… The photographs are indeed powerful & touching, almost like I could feel each subject’s pain on living in a world no one can ever know…
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yeah, i’ve been bothered about that for a while, it’s especially awful since most of my friends that join the forces do it because they feel like they don’t belong any where else, and yet they are judged so harshly there for their sexual orientations. It is just terrible & I’m glad you posted these moving images. Very well done!
xx
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The USA is supposed to be about Freedom….Or does it only apply to those who judge others?? I always thought Freedom was Free To be You and me (this was actually a GREAT movie played in the seventies)
i’m so incredibly moved by this. perhaps it’s the poignancy of it being a snapshot of very personal moments of their lives or just the fact that you have to live a double lifestyle–or is it a triple lifestyle, considering the sexuality/career–and hiding such an essential part of yourself every waking, public moment of your life. i hope there isn’t any flak for persons who may be identifiable. this is incredible.
thx for sharing.
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I love the pictures, I agree with you sometimes is hard for me to come to terms with people who are trying to fight for freedom and yet they do not have the freedom to be open about their sexuality. I respect all our service men and women but I think a lot of things need to change in our military. BTW I saw this pic the other day, it kinda freaked me out and tweeted it, some ultra conservative gave me shit for it, here’s a pic for your thought http://www.nickandchloe.com/15,80,5.wo
Hugs,
Glendy <3
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[...] if you don’t ask, I won’t tell…touching & heartbreaking. [...]
Beautiful images, yet sad and painful to behold. In this day and age, as our nation progresses, they really need to address the DADT issue. It’s hard enough serving your country and then having to lie about who you are? Wow, it boggles the mind…
Although many of us are ready to move forward, unfortunately, as a whole, society is always a little behind…
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Wow, hadn’t heard of this project before. These really tugged at me too. Thanks for sharing these photos. Also, thanks for RSVP’ing to my slumber party- can’t wait to see your photo!!
xo, Mel
While I may not agree with lifestyle, there is no denying this post. The imagery is stunning…and really, DADT is pretty stupid. I mean, if you’re putting your life on the line for me, what does it matter what you do behind closed doors? Ah, well…one of those nonesensical things in our crazy, little world.
+8!3
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