With the very distressing news that, in January alone, the United States military kicked out 11 more soldiers for being gay, we wonder how long will we have to wait for justice. Even some of our LGBT leaders talk about waiting 'down the road' for the right time before action is taken on "Don't Ask, Don't Tell". The right time is right now.

The refrain from inside the beltway is that the president must deal with the two wars and the economy. There is no question in anyone mind that those are important issues. But as President of the United States it is Barack Obama's job to protect his citizens from discrimination, abuse and the tyranny of a majority. President John Kennedy managed to deal with the Berlin Wall and sending troops to Mississippi to protect James Meredith entering its University. President Johnson dealt with Selma and Vietnam. There is simply no excuse for inaction now on protecting the LGBT citizens of this country. Our long journey of oppression must come to an end. The watch is ticking.

Just in case you think that 11 is not that many, please take a minute and reflect if you were one of them.

Think of growing up in rural Idaho in a Mormon community and feeling self-hatred as a gay man. There are no community services centers, no support groups and no one to turn to. Your family is struggling to make ends meet and you want to get out into the world and improve yourself. In these communities, the military is usually the only option for many young people who want to do better. Maybe this young gay man will even feel 'more like a man' by joining the military. Suddenly, this soldier is transported to a military instillation and off base finds love for the first time in his life, has people sharing his journey and starts to feel normal.

Then, just as suddenly, without any misconduct, the Army brings charges against him, publicly 'outs' him and makes sure his family knows that he is gay. Offered no support, no hope, he is sent back home in shame. We are literally destroying lives with this wretched "Don't Ask, Don't Tell" policy and it is no small matter. This policy must be repealed by the Democratic Congress and it must be repealed now. President Obama, like President Kennedy and President Johnson before him, must rise to a greater good and protect the all the citizens of this country.

Thank God for the work of the Servicemembers Legal Defense Network (SLDN) that helps troubled soldiers in need. Please continue to support them until our government does right by its people.