Frontlines: The Latest from OutServe-SLDN

SLDN at Lavender Law

It's September, so it must be time for Lavender Law! For those of you who have never heard of it before, Lavender Law is the annual conference of the National Lesbian and Gay Law Association (NLGLA). This year, our entire legal team (Sharra Greer, Kathi Westcott, Emily Hecht, and Aaron Tax) packed their bags and headed off to Chicago to share with the LGBT legal community all of the good work SLDN has been doing over the past year and to hear about the latest developments in the LGBT legal world (for Sen. McCain’s benefit -- LGBT means Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, and Transgender). This year SLDN really expanded its presence at Lavender Law, participating in four of the nearly thirty break-out sessions at the confernce. This is due not only to the tremendous amount of political attention being focused on the issue of "Don't Ask, Don't Tell," but also because of the increasing amount of (groundbreaking) work the SLDN legal team has been doing in the impact of “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell” on the families of LGB service members. A growing number of states provide recognition of same-sex relationships; including laws which govern civil unions, marriage, domestic partnerships, health benefits and adoption. “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell,” however, prohibits service personnel from taking advantage of those new opportunities because of the ban on open service and, as a result, a new area of law is beginning to emerge. Kathi sat on a panel entitled “In the Crosshairs: the Military Family,” where she talked about the plight of gay military families and how “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell” impacts -- emotionally, financially, and legally -- the lives of the partners and children of gay service members. Sharra sat on two panels - one entitled “From FAIR (v. Rumsfeld) to Equal: The Top Five Things Law Students Can Do to Address the Discrimination Inherent in the Solomon Amendment,” and another entitled “LGBT Pro Bono in Private Practice.” Aaron and Emily, along with SLDN friend and attorney, Bridget Wilson, participated in a mock trial entitled “Representing the Soldier, Sailor, Airman and Marine in a (Mock) Separation Action and Board Hearing.” Sharra, Kathi, and Bridget served as the judges, Emily served as the defense attorney, and Aaron served as prosecutor. Luckily, for the “service member” involved in the mock trail, he was retained. Its too bad all cases don't have such a happy ending! From our collegues at Lavender Law we learned that LGBT service members are not alone in the struggles they face. Other members of the community face quite different, but equally heart-wrenching, problems. For example, we learned that many LGBT foreign nationals seek asylum in the United States because they are prosecuted in their home countries because of their sexual orientation. In some countries, like Iran, people are even executed simply for being gay! Unfortunately, foreign nationals who identify as lesbian, gay, or bisexual, run into a road block in their asylum applications. They must figure out how to “prove” to the U.S. government that they are in fact gay. We heard the story of a client who went so far as to provide copies of tickets from the Cher concert he once attended -- I don’t recall if he made the cut! We are already looking forward to next year, when we’ll again be able to meet and share ideas with attorneys at Lambda Legal, the Task Force, and other allied organizations. Maybe Secretary Gates and the new Attorney General will join us for some good times and information sharing!! -Aaron Tax

Labels: legal aid

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09-17-07 Comment (0)

Great Britain Continues to Shine

It never ceases to amaze just how far the U.S. is in the closet, and with each new news-piece (as printed here today) we seem to dive farther in there. Her Majesty's Armed Forces will be holding its third Joint Service LGBT Conference in November hosted by the Royal Air Force. The two-day event will focus on diversity training, presentations and workshops, and will be a social networking opportunity for personnel and their partners. The Royal Navy and Air Force are both members of the Stonewall Diversity Champions programme and the Ministry of Defence, as a whole, strives to promote all of the armed services as "good employers for minority groups." Since the country removed it's ban on LGB service members in 2000, they have since continued to affect social and policy change. Things you may have missed: Britain Apologizes to LGB Members Booted Under Ban Britain Pays More than 6 Million to LGB Troops Booted Out The examples that Great Britain continues to show are an overwhelming affirmation that we are able to look past our own prejudices and value persons for their actions and conduct. Now if we could only get our leaders to see things that way... -Jason Knight

Labels: events, UK

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09-11-07 Comment (0)

In His Own Words—Eric Alva

Speaking at the National Lesbian and Gay Journalists Association’s (NLGJA) annual conference in San Diego, CA was a positive experience, not just for me, but for the many people in the audience. I believe that as much as you hear about "Don't Ask, Don't Tell," you never fully understand the law until you hear about it, first-hand, from Veterans who have served under it. You never appreciate the sacrifice it takes to live under the policy, until you have the chance to look a gay service member in the eye. Panels, like this, are an opportunity for American’s to put a face, be it young or old, to the problem of “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell” and, for the first time, meet someone who has experienced life in the military while being gay. Discussions like these (with, hopefully, many more to come) are just what we need, so that American’s can hear the truth about "Don't Ask, Don't Tell" and finally make informed decisions about why the law needs to be repealed. Sitting next to people like Former Navy Petty Officer Jason Knight was a true blessing. When you hear from other service members, and learn about their experiences, you realize that you are not alone; and how important it is for Americans to elect leaders who will repeal "Don't Ask, Don't Tell. -Eric Alva -----

09-10-07 Comment (0)

What Does Rummy REALLY Think About the Gays?

Former Secretary of Defense Donald Rumsfeld (pictured) has given his first post-exit interview with, of all outlets, GQ Magazine. In it, we learn that Rummy's wife rides a mule, that he employs "two young, studly pilots" to fly him around the country and that maybe - just maybe - he was never all that in line with his boss when it came to LGBT issues. From GQ's exclusive interview with the former Pentagon chief comes this exchange: Q: How does Donald Rumsfeld feel about gay marriage, abortion, etc.? A: "Um, I'm not gonna get into it." Q: But why? A: "The administration has positions on these things, and if you're part of the administration, you're supportive of the administration." Q: Yeah, but you're not anymore. A: "I know. But it's just not the way I am." It's one of those things that make you go "hmmmmmm." Was Rumsfeld, in defending and implementing "Don't Ask, Don't Tell" during his time as Secretary of Defense, simply towing the Administration line? Is it possible he actually wouldn't have any problem with gays in the military? And what's up with those two "young, studly pilots" he has at the controls these days? OK - so the last question is purely for our own fascination. But the first two deserve serious consideration. Will Rummy, after Bush leaves office, perhaps speak out on our side? As he himself might say, "There are known knowns. These are things we know that we know. There are known unknowns. That is to say, there are things that we know we don't know. But there are also unknown unknowns. There are things we don't know we don't know." We may have to wait till 2009 to know for sure. - Steve Ralls

Labels: in the news, rumsfeld

09-10-07 Comment (4)

SLDN Saves Career of Army MP

Many of you may have become familiar with the case of Chris Mastromario, an MP with the Army's Old Guard, who was charged with three counts of felony assult because he is perceived to be gay. The tragedy of Chris's story caught the attention of national figures, including House Majority Leader, Steny Hoyer (D-MD) and Sen. Barbra Mikulski (D-MD), as well as local media. As a result this story has a happy ending! SLDN is pleased to announce that Chris Mastromarino has been retained by the Army and will be allowed to complete his term of enlistment!! While the convictions will remain on his record, the fact that he is able to complete his term of service means that, after he leaves the service, Chris may still be able to fulfuill his lifelong dream of one-day becoming a police officer. -Victor Maldonado -----

09-07-07 Comment (0)

Equador Considers allowing Gays in the Military

The web site Blabbeanado is reporting that Ecuadorian Defense Minister, Lorena Escudero has announced her resignation from office in the wake of her efforts to allow gays and lesbians to serve in the Ecudorian armed forces. Ms. Escudero's troubles began last week when El Universo reported that the Ecuadorian Defense Ministry intended to revise its regulations and allow gays and lesbians to serve in that country's military. Such a move would have placed Ecuador on a growing list of 24 nations that allow gays and lesbians to serve openly in their armed forces (Australia, Austria, Belgium, Britain, Canada, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Ireland, Italy, Israel, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Netherlands, New Zealand, Norway, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland & South Africa). According to the report, Ms. Escudero's efforts were part of a larger reform package that would have brought the country's military in line with the Ecuadorian constitution, which bans discrimination based on sexual orientation. In a carefully crafted statement to media, Ms. Escudero explained that her efforts were aimed specifically at retaining gay and lesbian soldiers who were already in service, and should not be seen as an effort to recruit gays and lesbians into the armed forces. However, by Friday, August 31st Ms. Escudero announced her resignation. That same day, media outlets reported that Dr. Wellington Sandoval would become the next head of the Ecuadorian Defence Ministry. All is not lost for Ecuadorians who beleive that gays and lesbians should be allowed to serve in their military. Before her departure, Ms. Escudero told reporters that Ecuadorian President, Rafael Correra told her, "It is the role of government to advocate for equal rights." -Victor Maldonado

09-07-07 Comment (1)

Details on the Ban

The October issue of Details Magazine includes a fantastic article by reporter Melba Newsome about "Don't Ask, Don't Tell" and changing attitudes about LGBT service members inside the military. The Military's New Gay Games features interviews with SLDN's Jason Knight, as well as with SLDN clients Brian Fricke & Austin Rooke and SLDN board member Chris Hammet. "After 15 years, 'Don't Ask, Don't Tell' has never been so ineffective - or so controversial," Newsome writes. "Some hail the law as a safeguard against unit polarization; others condemn it as an ineffective policy of dubious purpose, enforced virtually at random. High-ranking officials - including General John Shalikashvili, who was chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff when the law was implemented - are increasingly calling for its repeal. Meanwhile, like-minded officers are finding themselves having to violate the law." Newsome's article takes an especially close look at the experiences of Fricke, Knight and Rooke . . . all of whom served openly durinig their time in the military. "This is an old policy promoted by an old generation," Fricke tells her. "A wise commander knows that every troop is valuable to the mission, and he is not going to blindly enforce a policy of discrimination." And Knight, who now serves as SLDN's communications associate, tells Details that he misses the Navy, but has found a new way to be of service. "I get to be the voice for the 65,000 gays and lesbians in the military who can't speak out," he said. The October issue of Details is on newsstands now. - Steve Ralls

Labels: in the news

09-07-07 Comment (1)

Remembering Cheryl Spector

The SLDN family is pausing to remember Cheryl Ann Spector, who passed away earlier this week of leukemia. She was 49. Cheryl was a well known—and well liked—Washington DC activist dedicated to lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender civil rights; HIV/AIDS, women’s health and a myriad of other important civil rights and cultural issues. She is most known for her efforts to chronicle the history of the gay civil rights movement. She was most often seen with a video camera in hand and never seemed to miss a protest, demonstration, or special event. Cheryl was not just a passionate activist, but she was also a friend, to both SLDN and to me. I’ve known Cheryl since 1991, when I first met her at Queer Nation, ACT UP, and pro-choice activist meetings. Her dedication and commitment to the community seemed endless. We protested the lack of funding for HIV/AIDS research and services; held vigils for those hurt and killed in anti-gay violence; we gathered signatures on petitions seeking to end employment discrimination; participated in organizing national marches; and we worked to end the then policy against gays in the military. She continued to fight for all those causes until her death. Cheryl has been a supporter and volunteer for SLDN since our start—volunteering to help staff SLDN’s first table at DC’s Pride festival. Since then she’s volunteered every time we called on her for help. Cheryl never said no to causes she supported. In fact, just this past March, she volunteered at SLDN’s National Dinner for part of the evening and then left to volunteer the remainder of the evening for DC-PFLAG. Later this month, Cheryl was to receive the “Unsung Hero Award” at the annual gala of The Mautner Project, a national lesbian health organization. Cheryl was a rare and special person. She will be sorely missed by all of us here at SLDN. The District of Columbia is a much emptier place without her. - Polly Stamatopoulos

09-06-07 Comment (1)

Of John McCain, Acronyms & What America’s About

Senator John McCain (R-AZ), speaking to students at Concord High School in New Hampshire, became quite confused when asked about the LGBT community. According to The Trail, a student asked McCain what he "would do on LGBT issues." Then, "McCain, paused, confused by the question. Someone in the crowd shouted out 'lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender.' 'I had not heard that phrase before,' McCain said of LGBT." Good grief. Is John McCain - who is campaigning to be our country's chief executive - really so out of touch with the country that he doesn't even know who we are? (I remember well, during the 2004 campaign, when Ambassador Carol Moseley Braun was praised for referring to our community by the very same acronym. At the time, one press outlet reported her embrace of the phrase progressive. And in the 2008, it should just be plain common sense.) But regardless, once educated about the four-letter reference, McCain caught on, and came out with his usual anti-gay tirade. "McCain then explained that while he opposed discrimination, he also felt marriage was between a man and a woman and noted he supported the 'Don't Ask, Don't Tell' policy on gays in the military," The Trail reports. "The student, a junior named William Sleaster, then persisted, asking the candidate if he supported gay marriage or civil unions. McCain said 'I do not.'" The student, standing at microphone across from the stage where McCain was speaking then declared 'I came here to see a good leader. I do not.'" McCain just said, "That's what America's about." Oh really, Senator? Because I have this crazy idea that, in addition to the right to disagree and dissent, America is also about equal protection, equal justice and equal rights under the law. Some of us actually think it's OK to serve our country, love our partner and be full citizens . . . even if, yes, we're LGBT. It's sad to see John McCain so out of touch with the country he wants to lead. The 'maverick' Senator, once admired for taking principled stands is increasingly standing alone. Do we really want a president who divides and conquers and thinks inequality is what America is all about? I do not. - Steve Ralls

Labels: 2008, in the news, McCain

09-06-07 Comment (1)