San Diego Gay & Lesbian News has obtained a copy of a video produced by DoD Pride for LGBT Pride Month that poignantly pays tribute to service members from the LGBT community who have died, some in combat in service of their country, and some who tragically were killed by fellow service members.

A Proclamation

From generation to generation, ordinary Americans have led a proud and inexorable march toward freedom, fairness, and full equality under the law not just for some, but for all. Ours is a heritage forged by those who organized, agitated, and advocated for change; who wielded love stronger than hate and hope more powerful than insult or injury; who fought to build for themselves and their families a Nation where no one is a second-class citizen, no one is denied basic rights, and all of us are free to live and love as we see fit.

I recognize that there are big items on the agenda for our Department of Defense and specifically, for Secretary Chuck Hagel. Budget cuts. An historic draw down of troops. Mounting concerns in Syria. So it's understandable why the Pentagon's leadership may have felt this week that a controversial pastor leading its Day of Prayer event was just not at the top of the list to receive its attention. But here's why it should have been.

As taxpayers across the country scramble this week to complete their taxes, many will ask themselves, "Is the government spending this money wisely?" A new policy brief released ahead of Tax Day raises the same question, and calculates that the federal government spends nearly $300 billion per year in federal contract dollars on projects performed in states that have not yet passed laws to protect lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender (LGBT) Americans from workplace discrimination.