Second-Class Sailors

by Lance Garland

"Second-Class Sailors" is about the "Don't Ask Don't Tell" policy and military rape culture. After the terrorist attacks of 9/11, Cash joins the Navy to become a US Navy SEAL. During training he meets Danny Stone, and they embark on an epic odyssey across the globe that is filled with sex, love, hardship, and growth. In Thailand, Danny is raped by a fellow shipmate, and makes Cash swear to never tell anyone. Torn between loyalty to Danny and a blind quest for justice, Cash ultimately testifies and becomes the key witness in the criminal trial of the accused. During the journey to the Court Martial, Cash and Danny's sexualities become a matter of personal discovery, as well as public knowledge used as evidence to invalidate their testimonies and service to their country, placing them in direct conflict with the court, as well as the entire US military. Told through shifting narratives between men and the sea, across continents and perspectives, Second-Class Sailors is about two men's struggle to pay the price of truth, and the courage it takes to stand against unbeatable odds, and to overcome them. "Second-Class Sailors" continues to inspire readers in the equal rights movement of our time, and was temporarily donated in support of Washington State's historical campaign for marriage equality, receiving a wide readership.

218 pages, Paperback

First published October 8, 2013