West Point, Knights Out, Gay Cadet [PHOTOS]: Gay West Point Cadet Takes Boyfriend to Winter Formal, Picture Posted on LGBT Alumni Facebook

A Gay Cadet at the United States Military Academy at West Point took his boyfriend to an academy formal. The pictures of the couple were proudly presented on West Point LGBT Alumni organization Knights Out's Facebook page. The names of the cadet and his boyfriend have not been released, mainly because the two are minors.

Knights Out is an organization consisting of alumni, staff and faculty of West Point who support the rights of LGBT people to serve in the military. The organization also aims to educate young officers about the issues plaguing LGBT troops, as well as their contributions. Formed in 2009, Knights Out membership has grown from 38 members to over 400. The actual "Out Knights" are members identified as LGBT officers and troops whereas the members who do not identify as LGBT are called "Allies." When posting the recent photo of the gay cadet and his boyfriend from the weekend, Knight Out included the caption:

This, ladies and gentleman, is progress at an Academy in which we can be proud. A member of the Academy's Spectrum group and his boyfriend at Yearling Winter Weekend last weekend.

With the Military's "don't ask, don't tell" policy in place, displays such as this were to be kept secret and hidden during events and in general. It basically was a ban on gay people serving in the military. Back in 2010, a lesbian cadet told the New York Times, "Anyone you meet here, you have to assess their personality very closely, and see if you can trust them." The "don't ask, don't tell" policy lasted from December 21, 1993, to September 20, 2011. These days, LGBT members of the military do not have to hide their sexuality if they do not want to.

These photos are just one of the great strides for LGBT people in the military. Another recent example happened just two months ago when the West Point Chapel hosted its first same-sex marriage. Penelope Gnesin and West Point Graduate Brenda Sue Fulton exchanged vows in the church in a ceremony conducted by a senior Army chaplain. Together for 17 years, the couple had a civil commitment ceremony in 1999, but still wanted the legality of a marriage. The same-sex marriage came after almost a year after President Barack Obama demolished the "don't ask, don't tell" policy of the military.

Knights Out is hosting its first annual dinner at West Point on March 31st. They certainly have a lot to celebrate.