Letters: Gay and in the Army

Re “The hidden man,” Dec. 29

I read The Times every day, and this is the first time I have been moved to write.

I was so awed by this story and the bravery displayed by Stephen Hill, the Army soldier whose question on the military’s erstwhile “don’t ask, don’t tell” policy elicited boos from audience members at a 2011 Republican presidential debate. Like one commentator said, it was Hill — having bravely outed himself so publicly to ask his question — who was the most presidential on the stage that night.

I pray that our government and the rest of our world find a way to embrace the love and acceptance that people like Hill so clearly deserve rather than being so focused on hate and rejection of our fellow human beings.

Thanks to The Times for a great story. And thank you, Stephen Hill, for your courage.

Evie Stern

Redondo Beach

What a wonderful article about such an extraordinary man.

What a shame on all of us that he could not live his life being admired for the person he is and what he gave to our country. It makes me sad to think that anyone would be so ignorant as to think he is anything less than the best our country has to offer.

Thanks to The Times for letting us know him.

Anne Olympius

Irvine

I’ve just read Times staff writer Christopher Goffard’s story on Hill. On behalf of this grateful citizen, welcome home, Capt. Hill and all the other soldiers who were forced to live secret lives.

William D. Hidalgo

Temecula

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