Print edition: 
About two dozen people met Saturday night in Wichita to discuss the military's "don't ask, don't tell" policy, which requires gay and lesbian soldiers to hide their sexual orientation in order to serve.
Most of those taking part in the panel discussion, which was held at the Blank Page Gallery at 917 W. Douglas and was hosted by the Sedgwick County Democratic Party, were against the policy.
Among the guest speakers was a gay 18-year Army veteran who said he served four tours of duty in the Army, mostly while hiding his sexual orientation.
Jim English said his superiors never questioned his lifestyle — until he appeared in uniform on the cover of a gay magazine. He said the picture and the "don't ask don't tell" policy essentially ended his military career.
"As a straight soldier, I had three honorable discharges," he said. "As a gay soldier, I had one general discharge."
English and other panel members said scrapping the policy would allow gay soldiers to serve honorably without being forced to cover up their private lives.
Lyndsay Stauble, executive director of the Sedgwick County Democratic Party, said party officials decided to hold the forum after President Obama announced he wanted to eliminate the policy.
"We wanted to get the community involved and talking about it," she said after the meeting. "I'm definitely happy with turnout, and I'm definitely happy with the conversation."
