Tears of joy stream down my cheeks today as I celebrate being a true citizen of the United States of America.
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I marched among thousands of lesbians and gays shouting for gay rights in our nation’s capital back in the 1970’s.  The protest march that became a lifetime.

I honorably served in the Army despite every effort of a nation not wanting lesbians to serve among them in the 1980’s.

I endured being outed to the Army Criminal Investigations and humiliated when my written words of passion to another womyn were read to me like some criminal being read her rights.

I think about these things today and in my own small way, I helped to make this happen. I am feeling so much and I am truly equal under the law of the land.

by Steffie Rae Smith