Soldier of Change: From the Closet to the Forefront of the Gay Rights Movement

Description

When the U.S. military repealed "Don't Ask, Don't Tell," its official policy on homosexuality in the services, Captain Stephen Snyder-Hill was serving in Iraq. After years enduring the culture of fear and secrecy for gay soldiers, Snyder-Hill submitted a video to a Republican primary debate, asking the participants' whether, if elected, they would extend spousal benefits to legally married gay and lesbian soldiers. His video was booed by the audience on national television. Snyder Hill's story riveted the nation's attention from national news shows to an episode of HBO's "The Newsroom" to comments by President Obama. Soldier of Change not only captures the media frenzy as Snyder-Hill took his place at the forefront of this modern civil rights movement, but also documents his twenty-year journey as a gay man in the army which culminated in the most important battle of his life: defending the disenfranchised.

Stephen Snyder-Hill joined the military in 1988 and fought in the first Gulf War before his honorable discharge in 1996. After reenlisting in 2001, he deployed to Iraq in support of Operation New Dawn in 2010. George Takei is an actor, social justice activist, and author of Oh Myyy! There Goes the Internet. He is best known for his portrayal of Sulu in the Star Trek television series and movies.

"["Soldier of Change"] is an important story to read if you need to know where LGBT rights have been and whose brought them forward. It s also one to enjoy if you want an informal, easy-to-like memoir. Even in this post-DADT time, "Soldier of Change" is a book to call for." Terri Schlichenmeyer, "Washington Blade"--Terri Schlichenmeyer"Washington Blade" (12/24/2014)" "[Soldier of Change] is an important story to read if you need to know where LGBT rights have been and who brought them forward. It's also one to enjoy if you want an informal, easy-to-like memoir. Even in this post-DADT time, Soldier of Change is a book to call for."--Terri Schlichenmeyer, Washington Blade--Terri Schlichenmeyer"Washington Blade" (12/24/2014) "Read [Snyder-Hill's] story and know the price paid for intolerance and the limitless joy of triumph."--Harvey Fierstein, Tony Award-winning actor and playwright --Harvey Fierstein (04/07/2014) Read [Snyder-Hill s] story and know the price paid for intolerance and the limitless joy of triumph. Harvey Fierstein, Tony Award winning actor and playwright --Harvey Fierstein (04/07/2014)" At once a heart-wrenchingly intimate look at the corrosive consequences of being forced to live a double life, a love story, and a profile in hard-won courage. Christopher Goffard, author and staff writer for the"Los Angeles Times" --Christopher Goffard (04/23/2014)"