Our Time

Our Time marks the end of more than a decade of silence, giving voice to the LGBT men and women who served under "Don't Ask, Don't Tell." These individuals enlisted knowing that the military would ask them to bury an integral part of themselves and yet joined because of their deep belief that the values of the military were worth the tremendous sacrifice. Our Time is their story.

Edited by air force officer J. D. Smith, aco founder of the underground LGBT military organization Out Serve, Our Time is a collection of remarkable depth and diversity. We witness the abuse-physical and mental-endured at the hands of fellow soldiers and superiors. We see the hardships faced by their families and partners and feel the pain of the choice between military and self. There are also examples of humanity at its very best: leaders with the courage to support their comrades in the face of tremendous pressure, friendships forged and minds opened, and love that endures the very toughest of odds.

Throughout we are reminded of the bravery and selflessness of the men and women who chose to serve our country and defend our liberties while their own freedom was withheld. At once a testament to the wrongs of the policy and a celebration of the good that endured in spite of it, Our Time marks the start of a new era in our national history.

Active duty air force officer J . D . S mith (pseudonym) is a cofounder and codirector of OutServe, an under-ground network of LGBT actively serving military personnel. He graduated from the U.S. Air Force Academy in 2009 in a top cadet leadership position. He has appeared on CNN, HLN, and MSNBC in shadow and his comments are regularly sought by the media to represent gay active duty members. He was an invited guest to the presidential signing of the legislation to repeal "Don't Ask, Don't Tell."