Past Event

Women in the Military: The End of Don't Ask, Don't Tell

Join us for the first installation in our two-part series on Women and War in partnership with Goodman Theatre. Tracy Baim, publisher of Windy City Times, Jean Albright, 20-year Air Force veteran and board member of AVER (American Veterans for Equal Rights), and Emily Siefken, US Navy will be joining us as our guest speakers.

For more information about the second part in this series, click here.

From “2 women share 1st kiss at US Navy ship’s return” by Brock Vergakis

A Navy tradition caught up with the repeal of the U.S. military’s “don’t ask, don’t tell” rule on Wednesday when two women sailors became the first to share the coveted “first kiss” on the dock after one of them returned from 80 days at sea. Petty Officer 2nd Class Marissa Gaeta of Placerville, Calif., descended from the USS Oak Hill amphibious landing ship and shared a quick kiss with her partner, Petty Officer 3rd Class Citlalic Snell of Los Angeles. The crowd screamed and waved flags around them. Navy officials said it was the first time on record that a same-sex couple was chosen to kiss first upon a ship’s return.

Questions for Consideration

What does the repeal of “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell” signify for the LGBT community? What is the significance of the repeal for gays and lesbians in the service? What role should the military play to ensure that soldiers don’t face discrimination based on their sexuality? 

Want to learn more? 

Free and open to the public. For more information please call 312.422.5580.

If you need a sign interpreter or require other arrangements to fully participate, please call 312.422.5580. For parking locations near the facility, please visit ChicagoParkingMap.com.