Do Ask, Do Tell, Say Gay

Do Ask, Do Tell, Say Gay is a memoir depicting the life story of author Shawn Gillick. However, it's not just another memoir. It's a historic account of what life was like for gays and lesbians during the infamous Don't Ask, Don't Tell (DADT) policy that banned gay and lesbian service. Shawn bravely tells his story of dealing with having to live a lie for four years from 1998 - 2002. He recounts his experiences of being bullied and talks about how one of his superiors began to suspect he was gay and almost launched an investigation which could have resulted in a dishonorable discharge mere weeks prior to getting out of the marine corps. Shawn's aim is to re-visit some of the same issues and themes that were associated with DADT (Don't Ask, Don't Tell). He want's readers to know that even though many things have changed for gay and lesbian service members, many things are (unfortunately) still very much the same. Do Ask, Do Tell, Say Gay is also a commentary on the LGBQ+ community in gernal. Shawn discusses the modern gay rights movement and how he has dealt with discrimination and bullying from the time he was a young teenager in middle school until now. He shares his opinions regarding the "nature or nurture" arguments regarding the biological and environmental origins of human sexuality. He talks about his post-marine corps life and personal struggles that have made him become a "social justice warrior", philosopher and author. Themes of this book consist of LGBTQ+ rights, political activism, progressive politics, anti-capitalist ideologies and also general psychology with some philosophy mixed in to help answer some of the most fundamental questions many people have living in modern America during these dark times. His previous books Destroy Capitalism Before It Destroys Us and New Existentialism: A Philosophy for the 21st Century deal with similar issues and topics.