Frontlines: The Latest from OutServe-SLDN
Dallas LGBT Community Speaks Out for Veteran
Prominent members of Dallas's LGBT and religious communities have spoken out in a group letter written to the Dallas Morning News this past weekend, in response to the manner in which Cecil Sinclair's memorial service was handled (which we blogged about on Friday). Cecil Sinclair, a Navy Veteran, died of complications from surgery. His service was cancelled 24 hours beforehand because church officials learned that he was gay. This is the letter written: As people of faith and leaders in the gay and lesbian community, we always hope that communities of faith will treat all people – regardless of sexual orientation – with dignity and respect, particularly in time of great need. Freedom of religion is an American right and a human value we hold dear, and High Point Church is certainly entitled to its beliefs. However, we wholeheartedly reject and condemn the remarks by the Rev. Gary Simons, High Point's senior pastor, when he compared being gay to committing murder. It is particularly reprehensible that Mr. Simons chose to offer his remarks so personally toward Cecil Sinclair within days of his death, during his family's greatest hour of need, and it is deplorable that Mr. Simons directed his comparison at a Navy veteran who served with honor. We hope Mr. Sinclair's family and loved ones could celebrate his life in whatever way is meaningful to them. It is our hope, too, that communities of faith will ensure that no grieving family endures scornful judgment or disdain at the hands of its leaders. Patti Fink, president, Dallas Gay and Lesbian Alliance; Dr. Roger Wedell, co-chair, Dallas Religion and Faith Committee, Human Rights Campaign; the Rev. Michael Piazza, president, Hope for Peace & Justice; and Dr. Jo Hudson, senior pastor, Cathedral of Hope UCC, Dallas There was also a letter published by the Turtle Creek Chorale - of which Sinclair was a member - and Jeanine Gibbs, Richardson. They can be read here. Also check out this editorial from the Houston Chronicle published yesterday. - Jason Knight -----08-15-07 Comment (0)
Concord, NH Celebrates LGBT Service Members
If you are in the Concord, NH area tomorrow afternoon and want to show your support for a repeal of the military’s “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell” policy, stop by the Kimball Jenkins Estate Carriage House Gallery at 1 p.m. to hear from SLDN client, Sonya Contreras, as she shares her personal experiences as a Former Sergeant in the U.S. Army who in 2003 was dismissed from the service after admitting that she is a lesbian. Sonya will be in Concord as part of the Legacy of Service Tour which travels across the country sharing service member’s personal stories of courage and sacrifice and discussing the need for repeal of the "Don't Ask, Don't Tell" policy. Join Sonya on August 16th at 1pm at: Kimball Jenkins Estate Carriage House Gallery 266 North Main St Concord, N.H. 03301 Or, to learn more about Sonya’s story, in her own words, click here. -Victor MaldonadoLabels: community events, events, HRC, new hampshire
-----08-15-07 Comment (0)
Bilerico.com: What Real Marines Do
Marine Corps Captain Joshua Gibbs started his career in the Corps in 1998 as a Reserve tank driver and has done two tours in Iraq. He’s a well-respected, highly decorated officer who has served our country well. And, he’s an outspoken heterosexual ally of the lesbian and gay community. In fact, he’s such an eloquent advocate of LGBT service personnel that the United States Marine Corps has shipped him off to Japan after he dared to speak out against “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell.” In what appears to be an unbelievable ‘first,’ the U.S. military has seemingly punished a heterosexual service member for speaking out against the ban.
The Marine Corps Times op-ed by Captain Gibbs wasn’t his first; he’s written about many other topics in the news before. It also wasn’t unprecedented; other active duty officers have questioned the ban in the same newspaper before. But the Marine Corps’ response – to reassign Captain Gibbs and order him not to talk to the media again – is unusual and unacceptable. Gibbs has spent his military career fighting to protect, among other things, the American people’s freedom of speech. In return, the country he serves has stripped him of that same right. But I have a feeling Captain Gibbs will return and fight with us again . . . because that's what real Marines do.
(continue reading What Real Marines Do at Bilerico.com . . . )Labels: in the news, marine corps, other blogs
-----08-15-07 Comment (0)
Video: Secret Rationale for Military’s Gay Ban Revealed
WARNING!! ***This is not a real news piece. There is no General Robert McBrayer from the Pentagon. No Target shoppers were harmed in the making of this piece. Extreme laughter may cause cramps, reddening of the cheeks, and a feeling of euphoria.***'Gays Too Precious To Risk In Combat,' Says General Visit the Onion. -Jason Knight
Labels: don't ask don't tell, in the news, satire, video
-----08-14-07 Comment (0)
A Request from our Friends at GLAD
Gay & Lesbian Advocates and Defenders (GLAD), which ended marriage discrimination in Massachusetts with their successful lawsuit, Goodridge et al v. Department of Public Health, is now investigating the harms suffered by married same-sex couples as a result of the federal "Defense of Marriage Act," or DOMA.
As you may know, DOMA discriminates against married same-sex couples by excluding those couples from the 1,138 federal laws providing protections, benefits and obligations to married people. GLAD is hoping that you can help them fight federal discrimination by telling your story.
The most powerful weapon in combating discrimination is your story. GLAD wants to know how federal law is affecting you and your spouse as a Massachusetts married same-sex couple. If you are married in the state of Massachusetts, please take time to tell GLAD about how DOMA affects you by filling out a survey online at www.glad.org/feddiscA.
GLAD has been advocating LGBT rights across New England for 29 years, establishing legal precedents in adoption, employment, safe schools, discrimination protection, HIV care, marriage and more. For more information, visit them online at www.glad.org.
- Steve RallsLabels: GLAD, marriage, Massachusetts
-----08-14-07 Comment (0)
Church Defends Decision on Gay Vet’s Funeral
An update to our blog entry on Friday... Dallas Morning News printed a follow-up story on Sunday with further details of the story. A response was posted on our blog by Paul Wagner, the Navy Vet's partner. The same response was posted on several other sites featuring the story and gives a very different side of the story than what the church was claiming. As the details are coming to light, the fact remains that Cecil Sinclair's memorial service was first offered then retracted based on his sexual orientation. Reverand Gary Simons read a lengthy statement before his congregation on Sunday. "The issue is not whether we hold a memorial service in a lifestyle of sin. We've assisted many families in this regard. The issue is whether we would allow an openly homosexual memorial service in our church. We love the homosexual, but cannot condone the homosexual lifestyle. We could not allow homosexuality to be glorified in this house of worship." Granted, I respect religion, but being a Hebrew Linguist, I have had a chance to do some extensive research on the bible and what it DOESN'T say about homosexuality. Eh hemm... The bible has been interpreted to condone all sorts of things like slavery, and the role-or lack of-of women. But that is a whole 'nother can of worms... With respect to the church and thier beliefs, our deepest condolences to Cecil's partner and family and hope that his memory is honored for his service to his family, to his partner, and to his country. - Jason Knight -----08-13-07 Comment (0)
HRC/Logo Debate Still Going
Senator Chris Dodd appeared on his own HRC/Logo debate this weekend when a new page went up on his presidential campaign website answering questions from Friday nights debate. What was he doing Friday night?
Excerpt:
Question 11. Would you repeal Don't Ask, Don't Tell?
Yes. I believe that “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell” prevents people like Marine Staff Sgt. Eric Alva, the first American wounded in the war in Iraq, from being recognized as they should for their heroic acts in defense of our country. Gay, lesbian, bisexual, and transgender Americans ought to be able to serve in the armed forces without being required to hide part of their identities from their fellow soldiers. We need every skilled person we can get in the armed forces. Excluding people based on their sexual orientation is ludicrous and would run counter to our national security goals.
Bradford Wade made this comment about the Senator's untimely response:
If you chose not to participate, I would rather hear that addressed directly and honestly. It's a matter of respect.
If your schedule did not permit you to attend, it would have been better if that had been announced: "Chris Dodd regrets that a scheduling conflict prevents him from participating this evening." Maybe I missed it, but I don't even recall your name being mentioned.
Check out the full transcript and what Dodd had to say on other issues here.
- Jason KnightLabels: 2008, Chris Dodd, presidential candidates
-----08-13-07 Comment (0)
Unions Risky for Military Personnel
As more and more state and local governments recognize same-sex unions, military personnel still need to be very cautious about making their relationships legal in the eyes of the law. As the Associated Press recently reported, there are significant risks for service personnel who choose to register their civil union or, in the case of Massachusetts, wed their partner.
"Marriage or attempted marriage" to a person of the same gender is one of the three things (along with statements and acts) that can lead to dismissal under "Don't Ask, Don't Tell." SLDN has documented that some commands have attempted to use this provision to discharge service members who have had civil unions, commitment ceremonies, registered as domestic partners or have been seen purchasing rings with their partners.
"Michael," of Vancouver, is retired from the Navy and told AP that he is holding off on a domestic partnership with his partner of 10 years, who is currently in the Navy Reserves.
"It's just one of those things," he said. "It probably comes from the way you get accustomed to living in the military. It just doesn't come up."
It is an unfortunate but real concern for military couples. Civil union registries and marriage licenses are public documents, available to the Department of Defense. Registering your partnership, if the Pentagon becomes aware of it, could ultimately mean the end of a military career.
Service personnel with questions about civil unions, domestic partnership or marriage should contact SLDN at .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address) for more information.
- Steve RallsLabels: civil unions, in the news, legal aid
-----08-13-07 Comment (0)
No Funeral for Navy Vet
If this doesn't get your blood boiling, then you must already be dead.
Forty-Six year old Cecil Sinclair died Monday from complications after a preventative operation for a heart transplant. The Navy Veteran served in Desert Storm rescuing downed pilots.
Dallas Morning News reports that Mr. Sinclair was denied funeral service at High Point Church after Reverend Gary Simons discovered Cecil was gay through photos of him and his partner in a compilation intended to be used for the service. Sinclair's partner, Paul Wagner, was not contacted by the church about the change in arrangements.
"We all knew it," she said. "We knew it and accepted it," said Sinclair's mother about her son's sexual orientation. Equating this man to a murderer, his family was turned away was forced to find a local funeral home to hold the event Thursday night. The church even sent food and the video montage-minus the 'questionable' photos.
Is there no more respect for the dead? Where is the outcry for a man who served his country? Where are the Veterans at to support one of their own? Where is the Commander in Chief to take care of one of his sailors? In the Navy, we take care of our shipmates until the very end, where are they? And why hasn't this gotten more attention? In my time in the Ceremonial Guard, I had the privilege to lay to rest over 2500 shipmates in Arlington Cemetery-whatever background they may have had-they were taken care of. Instead, this man is turned away because of who he was in love with. This is outrageous!
-Jason Knight
08-10-07 Comment (3)
The Morning After (And a Little More News)
Yes, we're a little tired from staying up a little too late last night after the LOGO presidential forum. But we had a blast . . . and thank you to everyone who logged on for our first-ever live-blogging event. The SLDN staff had a terrific time bringing you the latest news and insights from the forum (as exhibited via the photo here), and we hope you enjoyed joining the discussion online.
Local FOX affiliate WTTG covered the SLDN blogging live on the 10pm news, and you can watch their coverage online here.
Also surf over to the Channel 7 website for last night's top story on the 6pm news. Reporter Scott Thuman takes a look at the future of "Don't Ask, Don't Tell," and changing attitudes in Congress about repeal.
Then, let us know your thoughts about how last night went, what you thought about the candidates' stances and what left you wanting more. Leave your feedback here in the comments section.
- Steve RallsLabels: in the news, live-blogging
08-10-07 Comment (1)
