A few days ago, a Facebook friend had said something about the Marines. It was I believe the same day the new Marine Commander had come out against lifting Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell (DADT), and I was feeling grouchy. I replied that it was great they had saved our butts for so long. Too bad they can’t come to terms with the fact that there are gay marines who deserve to be treated equally. Rachell Maddow said on her show last evening, that unlike Memorial Day, Veteran’s Day is different where we acknowledge all the hard work and sacrifice of our veterans, say, Thank-you, and celebrate. I hope I am not messing that up too much in a paraphrase. I have been pondering for a few days what I wanted to write about it, and that helped me consider a context.
But my friend, the  musical sensation and genius, Tom Goss shared a real gem with me today, that is a perfect gift to share with you in light of this important holiday, and in the context of our LGBT circumstances. He wrote:
I’ve got a super exciting project in the works and I thought I’d give you a heads up.
Gay Soldier Love Story Is Subject of Upcoming Music Video
Gay singer/songwriter Tom Goss finished production Tuesday on a new music video for his song, “Lover.” It tells a story very rarely told: of the loss endured by partners of gay servicemembers who are killed in battle.
The video, which will be released later this month, features Goss as the bereaved partner of an army soldier (DC actor Ben Horen) killed while on duty in Afghanistan. Among those playing medics who come to the aid of the wounded soldier are several former servicemembers who were discharged under the military’s “don’t ask, don’t tell” policy: Mike Almy, David Hall, and Danny Hernandez, all of whom are active members of SLDN. Keith Bryant stars as a fellow soldier.
The video, Goss’s fourth, was filmed in DC and Alexandria. is being directed by DC residents Aram Vartian and Michael Key of DC; Dylan Comstock is director of photography.
[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=o7GFqEOGTN0&feature=player_profilepage[/youtube]
I already loved this song, and now I’m even more blown away by it. But for me there is another point here I want to make (aside from the wonderful music and video). Tom is doing what I hope, every one of my readers will consider doing. Look at your life and what you do and the things you love to do, and find some way to give voice through these things to help make the world a better place where Justice, Equality, Respect, and Love are the foundations rather than merely dreams. It doesn’t matter who you are, where your talents can be found. Each and everyone of us can give voice to some part of your own story, or a collective story, and bring us closer to real change, real equality, and real peace.
Men and women have risked everything to fight to protect our freedoms, and we would not be the country we are today, with al that we have today without these brave people and what they have done. There wouldn’t be an ability to even talk of LGBT rights without  the many many things our veterans have done. Now, it is our turn. To give voice for the overlooked LGBT veterans and all the lives they have touched, and to keep moving freedom and equality moving forward.