is because it destroys the myth that they have long perpetuated about gay men: that they are all lisping, immoral, weak and cowardly. This myth and other convenient stereotypes have long served as their bulwark against attacks on their heterosexist, patriarchal grip on power in this country.

Psychologically, the destruction of this myth has long term, profound consequences for the hierarchy of dominance in this nation of ours - all of them healthy and all of them good for both women in general and gay men specifically.

Today is far more powerful than if 15% of the NFL all came out of the closet at once. Or if all the gay movie stars suddenly had the urge to be publicly honest about who they are.

It's far more powerful because that aging, rightwing marine sitting on his couch in southern Indiana never was a football player or a movie star.

But he was a marine once and that identification has been the single, most powerful tool to enable him to self justify his rank prejudices and aggressive opposition to positive, generational growth and change.

The destruction of Don't Ask Don't Tell takes the mask off. And what is left is the emperor with no clothes, clutching his Bud light and his remote control, suddenly very, very angry, very insecure and very unsure about his position of dominance in a new America.