(The Loop 21) — When Takia Mitchell heard that Barack Obama had signed the repeal of Don’t Ask Don’t Tell, she called her brother. “I was just so happy, I couldn’t believe it,” she said. Mitchell is one of the 14,000 servicemembers who have been discharged because of their sexuality over the 17 years Don’t Ask Don’t Tell has been in effect. She is one of thousands who fought to repeal the policy, but in an interview with TheLoop21, she also has words of caution for gay soldiers still in the military. Mitchell knows military culture, the good and the bad. She comes from a proud lineage of military service, including her grandfather, father, uncle and brother. Like many gays serving in the military, during her three years in the Army, she confided her sexuality with people she could trust. With others, she was careful to change pronouns when talking about her partner.
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