Columbia LGBT Community Celebrates End of 'Don't Ask, Don't Tell'

Tiffany Adams wore her Army sweatshirt for the first time since 1996 Tuesday night. 

For years, Adams didn't tell anyone she had ever been in the military because she was afraid to tell them why her service was cut short. 

While she was at boot camp, Adams admitted that she was a lesbian.

"When asked, I had to tell the truth," she said. 

Only six months after her service began, Adams was discharged under the "Don't Ask, Don't Tell" policy. 

Tuesday night she stood in front of a crowd of more than 100 people proudly wearing her Army sweatshirt to celebrate the end of "Don't Ask, Don't Tell." 

"I wear it now because I couldn't wear it then," Adams told the crowd at Memorial Park in downtown Columbia.

Leaders in Columbia's lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender community, allies and veterans gathered in front of the Vietnam Memorial at the park Tuesday evening to celebrate the repeal of a policy that resulted in the discharge of more than 14,000 gay service members over the 18 years it was in effect. 

The event was hosted by the Harriet Hancock Center, an organization that provides resources for the LGBT community in South Carolina.

Adams joined others who had served in the military - gay and straight - in front of the crowd for a candle-lighting ceremony. The veterans' candles were lit first, and they used their candles to light the rest of the crowds'. 

One of those veterans was Rep. James Smith, a Democrat who represents District 72 in the S.C. House. He also shared his views on the end of an era. 

"A bullet coming your way doesn't care if you're black or white or straight or gay," said Smith, who served in Afghanistan. 

"Truly, truly we now have a U.S. military that more fully reflects the values it seeks to protect," he said. 

Although it was a night of celebration, one leader recognized the inequalities for gay service members that still exist.

Todd Shaw, a member of the Board of Directors for S.C. Equality, pointed out that same-sex partners won't be able to live in base housing or get medical treatment on base because the military doesn't recognize those partnerships. 

"Starting tomorrow we resume the work still left to be done," said Shaw, whose organization works to advance civil rights for LGBT South Carolinians. 

"But tonight, we can join with our brothers and sisters in Columbia and say that we are exceedingly happy that this milestone has come to an end."