As has been repeatedly highlighted in the press, the repeal of Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell was a “non-event” (both positively and negatively). So much so, in fact, that news stories continue to be generated highlighting its non-impact to the military.

The Air Force produced a full story on SSgt Anthony Loverde, who recently re-entered the Air Force after having been discharged under DADT 2008.

He went to the local recruiting office and asked about getting back in…

“They said no,” Loverde said.

The reasons ranged from his age, to his weight to the needs of the Air Force in his career field.

Loverde kept asking, though, and after several attempts, he was finally allowed to return to duty in the same career field. He became only the second service member to be discharged under DADT who was allowed back in.

“It wasn’t easy,” he said. “I had to lose a bunch of weight. But I did, and now I’m back in uniform doing what I love.”

Despite the public article focusing on the military and its reaction to sexuality,

Loverde [said he] doesn’t want his sexual orientation to define him.

“At the end of the day, I am more than my sexuality,” he said.

The story was recently picked up by the Stars and Stripes, which likewise noted that, rather than the “non-event” that has been the common narrative,

the Pentagon has faced some challenges to integrating gay servicemembers since DADT was repealed…

The two examples cited both dealt with religious liberty.

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