Frontlines: The Latest from OutServe-SLDN
Tell the Whole Truth
If I never hear another candidate say, "I would get rid of 'Don't Ask, Don't Tell,'" it would be outstanding. Monday night, as I watched the CNN YouTube debates, I was stung once again by a candidate who is fumbling for support by making promises he can't keep. I am, of course, talking about Gov. Richardson's promise to end "Don't Ask, Don't Tell."
Candidates: Can we please confront the fact that DA, DT is a law, passed by Congress and signed by President Clinton?
A new Commander in Chief can not just waltz into the White House and sign a decree revoking DA, DT. In fact, he (or she) can not even technically introduce a law to repeal it. That honor is reserved for the elected officials of Congress.
Good intentions aside, Gov. Richardson relied on a commonly used tactic for assuaging the fears of the LGBT community. He wanted to reassure us he's on our side; but clearly, he either hasn't done has homework, or he's just regurgitating the empty promises of the past.
If you're running for President - please don't tell me that you are going to overturn "Don't Ask, Don't Tell." Come clean and tell the whole truth. Tell me that you will do your damnedest to unwaveringly support a law repealing it and further more demand that it restore active duty eligibility to those men and women who were kicked out of the military because of it.
- Jeremy Johnson, Former Petty Officer First Class, USNLabels: 2008
-----07-26-07 Comment (0)
DADT Event in Chicago
Army Brig. Gen. Keith H. Kerr, Army Colonel Stewart Bornhoft, Navy Captain Joan E. Darrah ( all retired ) and five other former military officers will speak out against the military’s anti-gay “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell” ( DADT ) policy at a program benefiting the Servicemembers Legal Defense Network ( SLDN ) at Chicago’s Center on Halsted, 3656 N. Halsted, on Aug. 3, 7-9 p.m.
DADT makes the United States Military the only employer in the nation which must, by law, fire someone because that person is lesbian, gay or bisexual. More than 11,000 servicemembers have been discharged under the policy.
Tickets are $40 and can be purchased by visiting www.chicagoSLDN.org , or calling 773-720-7610.
-Jason Knight
-----
07-26-07 Comment (0)
The Shower Factor
Surf over to HuffingtonPost.com for SLDN client Stephen Benjamin's take on his debate, last night, with conservative radio talking head (and deputy district attorney!) George Brauchler.
Stephen called out Brauchler in a Sunday Denver Post op-ed, and was then invited to debate him on the air at KHOW radio. Stephen addresses the long-held 'shower argument' that our opponents often use to defend "Don't Ask, Don't Tell."
"After basic training, the number of times I showered with other people were relatively few," he writes. "In the occasions where I wouldn't have time to go home to clean up, I think I was the uncomfortable one through the whole ordeal. I was out to many of my peers and none them expressed discomfort when placed in a situation like that. Nevertheless, I found myself careful with where my eyes wandered -- intently staring at the soap dispenser on the wall."
"It's absurd that we even have to discuss this issue," he concludes. "It's even more absurd that as the Army desperately searches for recruits, this Congress and president cling to a failed policy that harms our nation."
"Especially when plastic dividers are cheap."
- Steve RallsLabels: other blogs, stephen benjamin
-----07-24-07 Comment (0)
SLDN on ‘Strictly Confidential’ - Tonight!
SLDN director of law and policy Sharra Greer (pictured) will be the featured guest this evening on Strictly Confidential, Peter Godbold's LGBT issues show on the Head On Radio Network.
You can listen in live, beginning at 9:30pm, by clicking here. Listeners have a chance to join the conversation, and Sharra is looking forward to hearing from our supporters, answering questions and giving the latest news and updates on SLDN's work to topple "Don't Ask, Don't Tell."
- Steve RallsLabels: in the news
07-24-07 Comment (1)
Richardson Tackles ‘Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell’
We're here at the SLDN offices, watching the CNN/YouTube debate, and waiting for a "Don't Ask, Don't Tell" question. There hasn't been a question specifically addressing the ban yet, but New Mexico Governor Bill Richardson worked in his support for repeal while answering a question about marriage from a same-sex couple in Brooklyn.
"I would eliminate 'Don't Ask, Don't Tell' in the military," Governor Richardson said. "If we have men & women who are willing to die for their country, I wouldn’t give them a lecture on their sexual orientation."
All of the Democratic candidates have previously endorsed repeal, so perhaps that's why we haven't seen a question directly related to "Don't Ask, Don't Tell." But Governor Richardson's response is still much appreciated, too.
- Steve RallsLabels: 2008
07-23-07 Comment (1)
Who’s Light in the Loafers Now?
SLDN client Stephen Benjamin, a former Arabic translator in the United States military, has an op-ed in today's Denver Post about homophobic comments recently made by a local radio host. The guest host of the program, a deputy district attorney in Colorado, was speaking about gays in the military when he went into a tirade about gay military personnel, proclaiming that gay personnel in the military were like children in a candy shop, and even referring to the Navy as "the light-in-the-loafers service."
Bejamin calls out George Brauchler in his op-ed today, writing that "The comparison of a child in a candy shop to the world's most advanced fighting force is absurd. A Marine on the battlefield being cared for by a Navy medic certainly isn't checking to see if that medic might be 'light in the loafers.' The Army commander being debriefed by a Navy Arabic translator certainly isn't wondering what that sailor is going to do when he goes home for R&R. I doubt many people would tell the Navy Seals who rescued Jessica Lynch that they were 'light in the loafers.'"
In fact, there are many lesbians and gays making a difference in the armed forces, as Benjamin notes in his op-ed.
"Only a few months ago, I was tirelessly working in a small, dark office in Georgia, translating and disseminating critical intelligence to our troops," he says. "To get there, I spent a couple of years agonizing over a difficult language and trying to understand an enigmatic culture foreign to my American identity. Today, my life is much different as a civilian in Atlanta, exchanging the occasional e-mail with friends I once served with who are now deployed to Iraq - some for the second or third time."
Benjamin, however, was dismissed under "Don't Ask, Don't Tell," despite his stellar military service record. Today, he's more determined than ever to see an end to the ban, and to set the record - ummm, straight - for those who would continue to kick out qualified gay troops.
"Brauchler needs to realize that not every sailor is gay, and not every gay man wears loafers," Benjamin writes. "Sometimes we wear combat boots and carry an M-16."
Now who's light in the loafers, Mr. Brauchler?
- Steve Ralls
UPDATE: Stephen has been invited to debate Brauchler this afternoon (Monday) on KHOW radio. Listen in live at 5:20pm EST.Labels: in the news, stephen benjamin
07-22-07 Comment (3)
New Reality TV Show
The Race for the White House: A New Reality Show
That's the title of the latest entry from Libby Post on PageOneQ, a silly satiracal piece that makes light of the struggle for gay rights while conveying an important message.
The Show: Hosted by Gore, Coulter, and Huffington, the Presidential candidates would be put to the ultimate test. The Republicans would be thrown into a simulated foxhole with three other soldiers, two of whom would be SLDN clients-either booted for being gay or retired and came out. They would live through 48 hours of combat simulation and have to figure out which soldier was the straight one.
The Dems would have to pair up as same-sex couples, Hillary with either Coulter or Huffington, and would be sent to New Jersey to face the trials of civil unions and how much they don't mean to the state and employers.
"Win or lose, everyone gets a dose of Lesbian and Gay reality."
-Jason Knight
07-20-07 Comment (3)
In Her Own Words
Orlando, Florida July 11th
The local HRC community hosted our tour group to dinner on the night of the 10th. It was extremely hot and extremely humid. The weather aside, it was the warmest reception that I have ever felt. They were very supportive and wanted to know each of our individual experiences. For the first time in a long time, I felt as though someone really wanted to hear the truth.
I have spoken to many different people and different groups about the negative impact of the DADT policy, but recalling my experiences never hit me as hard as it has on this tour. My emotions got the best of me during my speech, and for the first time in my life, I was speechless. The tour has been therapudic for me personally, and I am so proud to be a part of a panel of such distinguished speakers.
Each of the 5 speakers at the Orlando event had a different personal story about the negative impact from the DADT policy. The common factor felt across the board is that the policy is only impeding our Nation's progress. The American people are embracing tolerance more and more each day, and this policy is only standing in the way.
As my partner, Vanessa, walked through the airport donning her "Lift the Ban" t-shirt from SLDN, she was stopped by a male veteran who told her that he agreed with the need to end DADT.
The American People want to be heard. The American People want to see an end to this useless law.
Thanks for all of your continued support. I hope to see everyone in Phoenix, Arizona on July 24th.
Sonya Contreras
-----
07-19-07 Comment (0)
Army Veteran Will Share Her Story
Sonya Contreras, a former SLDN client and part of SLDN's Speakers Bureau, will be joining HRC's Legacy of Service tour in Phoenix, Arizona. The five year veteran was discharged in 2003 under 'Don't Ask, Don't Tell' following an admission to her command sparked by the tense anti-gay climate within her command and harassment by fellow soldiers.
The Legacy of Service tour honors lesbian, gay, and bisexual men and women who have served their country. The speakers include Eric Alva-the first American wounded in the Iraq war, Jarrod Chlapowski, Alexander Nicholson, Antonio Agnone, and local veterans at each of thier tour locations.
Sonya will be participating in a discussion panel on July 24th at 5:30pm at the Phoenix Art Museum directly followed by a reception and will be sharing her own experience as well as speaking out against Don't Ask, Don't Tell.
-Jason KnightLabels: community events, HRC
-----07-19-07 Comment (0)
See Us Tomorrow on CNN
Tune into CNN tomorrow night - in the 8pm EST hour - as SLDN helps to preview the July 23rd Democratic debate. With questions about "Don't Ask, Don't Tell" pouring into the debate via YouTube, SLDN gives a glimpse of what 2008 might hold, and the changing attitudes among military personnel when it comes to lesbian and gay colleagues. - Steve RallsLabels: 2008, in the news
-----07-18-07 Comment (0)
