Documentary Shows Life Within Don't Ask Don't Tell

There’s a new documentary being filmed for release this summer that looks to be a good future resource. Out of Annapolis is being made by LGBT alumni of the US Naval Academy to explain the real-life effect of DADT.

The message behind “Out of Annapolis” is that gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender academy students and graduates admire the academy and the military, and want to serve their country. But federal law and the “don’t ask, don’t tell” policy requires them to hide their sexual identity if they want to serve in uniform.

Here’s the rough trailer for Out of Annapolis (updated with May 2010 version):

One bit I want to highlight, because it’s part of the problem not just with DADT, but with the closet in general. An unidentified retired officer says:

I spent six months on a ship with three guys that I spent all day with as my roommates, and I hear about what they’re going through with their wives, or their kids, or anything like that, and I can never share. And I felt like a liar; that the relationships and the friendships I was forming on the ship, I always withheld a part of myself. So nobody really knew me. Nobody…there was no connection, there was no strong sympathy. It added to just the overall stress of performing in combat.

Many of the interviewees for the film are also members of USNA Out, an organization of LGBT Naval Academy Alumni. It’s worth noting that the film doesn’t seem to be casting aspersions on the Naval Academy, just relating their experiences and hoping to help people understand the damage being done by a prejudicial policy.

For more on Out of Annapolis, please visit the documentary’s website.