(Originally published in Bay Windows, January 10, 2008, and crossposted at Mombian.)
Impact of 'Don't Ask, Don't Tell' hits children of LGBT servicemembers
Iraq War vet tells of struggles to raise two sons while closeted
Five-year-old William and three-year-old Ryan are the children of decorated U.S. Army officer Cheryl Parker. Like other children of service members, they have dealt with cross-country moves and months without their mother while she was deployed in Iraq. Unlike the others, however, they must forgo many benefits, conveniences and support services offered to military families, or risk revealing that they have another mother, Donna Lewis. This could lead to Parker's dismissal under the military's "Don't Ask, Don't Tell" policy, even in LGBT-friendly Massachusetts. (Note: Names and identifying details have been changed to protect the family.)
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