Yesterday, an administrative panel of officers at Naval Air Station Lemoore, CA voted 3-0 to retain Petty Officer 2nd Class Derek Morado, in a discharge proceeding under Don't Ask/Don't Tell. He had been facing discharge since 2009 when someone alerted his command to a Facebook picture of Morado kissing another man. If you're wondering why the military is still holding discharge proceedings under the gay ban, remember that it's still in effect. The repeal law included a bullshit certification procedure that requires action by the House of Representatives. Not surprisingly, the GOP-led house is not anxious to take any action that might be seen as decent treatment for gay people. Thus, Derek Morado had to has to live with the stress and uncertainty of this discharge panel for months. The taxpayers had to foot the bill for the discharge proceeding for Morado and other service members. Thankfully, the administrative board apparently recognized the farce of it all and retained Morado.
