Jeff Sheng's "Don't Ask Don't Tell" Exhibit

In response to the recent "Don't Ask Don't Tell" debate, Jeff Sheng, a local Los Angeles photographer, had spent the last two years photographing and documenting stories of gays and lesbians in the military service. Because of the DADT policy, all of the portraits are without faces. Yet, the simplicity and barely concealment of these portraits conveyed great sense of fear and oppression in their lives.

I'm an amateur photographer myself, and I have tremendous respect for those who use this special talent to present the world to his / her audience. Looking through these images and listening to Sheng's own personal comments on them, I can't help but feel a sudden chill inside me. To hide yourself from the government, fellow comrades and even on certain level, yourself, is such a disheartening way to live; to do honor to your country, where being yourself isn't enough is such a depressing thought.

Unfortunately, this exhibition ended in October but let this video be a reminder to you: the battle against DADT is a long one, and there are millions out there who fight for honor but still live in shadow. Let's be supportive of those hiding in the service and hopefully DADT will be overturn someday.