Lt. Anthony Woods

Platoon leaders such as Lt. Anthony Woods, a black gay Harvard and West Point grad, was discharged once his gay sexuality was discovered.

Lt. Woods led a 64-soldier combat unit in Iraq and earned a Bronze Star. Woods ran for Congress last year. He didn't win, but appeared on national television and inspired countless young black gay men who rarely see themselves on such a platform.

Anthony Woods is a graduate of the U.S. Military Academy at West Point and Harvard's Kennedy School of Government. He is a veteran of two combat tours in Iraq, and was awarded both the Bronze Star and Army Commendation Medal for his service.   Mr. Woods example is QHistory.