Cedar Rapids native, former Marine to protest military policy

Cpl. Brett Edward Stout, doesn't take his position as an activist lightly.

Stout, 31, a Cedar Rapids native and gay rights advocate says the feedback he's gotten from others after sharing his story has hardened his resolve to keep fighting so other gay men and women can fight for their country.

“It's saddening, getting all these e-mails and messages from people saying ‘this happened to me too,'” Stout said. “But it's an honor to be able to lead the work for others that can't do it for themselves.”

Stout joined the Marines in 1997 and served for five years as a Russian cryptologist and linguist. But by the end of his term, he chose not to re-enlist: he's gay and federal law says he is unfit to serve his country.

“I didn't re-enlist because I was professionally at dispute with the

‘Don't Ask Don't Tell' policy,” Stout said. “It interfered with my integrity.”

Stout will join other gay former service members outside the White House today to demand that President Barack Obama repeal the 17-year old policy, which has required officials to discharge gay service members.

On Friday, Secretary of Defense Robert Gates released a letter asking that no change in policy be made until it received proper study.

“Veterans and those still serving find the idea of a yearlong study highly offensive,” Stout said. “They need a yearlong study to prove how my service will not harm my country?”

While many see the ‘Don't Ask Don't Tell' policy as sitting on the

periphery of the gay rights movement, Stout said he couldn't disagree more.

He said he thinks a federal mandate that says gay men and women are not American enough to serve their country is a greater affront than not being able to marry.

“This law inherently states that gays are unfit to serve ... they don't have the qualities of good Americans,” Stout said. “We need to show people that we are honorable people and can serve honorably.”