Albuquerque's gay community reacts to repeal of ban

December 19, 2010

in albuquerque the gay community is reacting to news on don't ask don't tell. cristina rodda spoke with a service member who lost his military career because of his sexual preference. she's joins us live in the newsroom with that story. cristina? steven loomis says current service members should not reveal their sexual orientation until president obama signs the change into law. after being kicked out of the military in the 90's for being gay-- he knows exactly what it means to come out. but today loomis is celebrating-- literally-- a party held tonight with other gay, lesbian, bi-sexual and transgendered former military members was in full swing tonight and this crowd is thkfull for today's decision. loomis says it's sign that america continues to evolve and change-- for the better. he even thinks it will be accepted by the ranks. "we're going to find that it's a non-issue. they've been there all along other soldiers sailors marines, coast guard have all known it and they'll accept it because now the commander in chief and the chain of command says it's the right thing to do. "we stood up against intolerance, we stood up against people looking at us a certain way and we stood up against bigotry and because of those people we fought a good fight today is a victory, today is a win. lopez is the head of albuquerque pride-- he says with president obama's recent decision to keep the bush tax cuts temporarily-- he thought the president might also decide not to go forth with his stance on don't ask don't tell. steven loomis-- who you heard from earlier was forced out of the military after it was discovered he was gay. he says several years ago he won his retirement and pension pay after fighting for it in federal court.