Don't Ask, Don't Tell

I'm cuddled up to my girlfriend in my bed
Kiss her on the cheek
Tell her I love her
Then imagine what it'll be like tomorrow
When I take my steps onto the plane
To endure the next 6 months of war

I brush her hair behind her ear
Kiss her on the nose
And let her know I'll write her every day
She feels so alone
I feel so cold
Never let go

I wave goodbye out the window of the plane
I see her break down in tears
And I do the same
I write my first letter on the way over
And seal it with a kiss

I arrive in Afghanistan
My dogtag around my neck
My lieutenant barking orders
At me and my fellow soldiers
I put up my hand and speak my anthem

"I will defend my country
And risk my life
For the lives of my fellow Americans
Who deserve peace and freedom.
I will fight for the freedom of my fellow bretheren
And I will never give up.
I will not be a hero
I will be a soldier.
I will stand up for what is right
And I will fight until the death for my country
Unless there is a gay man or woman in my army."

This is what I say
Day to day
And hide my love
I hide my love for my lady
And I hide my true self
I am fake, I am a liar
I am a gay American soldier
Fighting for the rights of straight people

I write her a letter
And seal it again with a kiss
A squadmate asks who I'm writing to
"My boyfriend" I say
He turns and doesn't ask questions
I die inside knowing I'm not accepted here
Unless I'm a liar

A fellow soldier calls in the mail
Calls out my name
And notices a female's name on the return address
He questions this
And I say it's a friend
He reports to the lieutenant

"I have reason for suspision in Private Copeland"
He says with a grin
He says I'm gay
Says I don't belong here fighting this war with him
Fighting for my country like this
Living a lie

I am discharged from my duties as a soldier
They asked, I did not tell
Though they knew
It was not I who broke the law of DADT
It was them, the straight ones
I did not ask, I did not tell
I am a gay soldier, fighting for the rights of my community

On September 20th, 2010,
Stefani Joanne Angelina Germanotta stood up for what is right
During a powerful speech in Maine
I am a gay soldier
And I have rights