Frontlines: The Latest from OutServe-SLDN

Remembering Allan Berube

Windy City Times is reporting that gay historian Allan Berube, author of Coming Out Under Fire, has died. He was 61. Berube's history of lesbian and gay troops during World War II is considered one of the definitive works on gays in the military, and was made into a documentary film as well. From the Times: Berube was, for decades, an independent historian and community activist. He first came to progressive political activism in opposition to the Vietnam war, working with the American Friends Service Committee in Boston in the late 1960s, after dropping out of the University of Chicago. After coming out in 1969, he joined a "gay liberation collective household," and later moved to San Francisco to join a gay commune for craftspeople. He remained in San Francisco for many years, and was one of the founders of the San Francisco Lesbian and Gay History Project in 1978. His slide shows about women who dressed and passed as men -- and married other women -- were welcomed by enthusiastic audiences around the country. Berube is best remembered for his groundbreaking work of gay history, published in 1990: Coming Out Under Fire: The History of Gay Men and Women in World War II. The Lambda Literary Award-winning book, which was later adapted by Arthur Dong into a Peabody Award-winning documentary, was often cited in Senate hearings on the military's anti-gay policies in 1993. Martin Duberman, distinguished professor of history emeritus at the City University of New York, called Berube's book "superb ... not only in terms of his prose style, which was absolutely lucid and even elegant, but also in terms of the very fine-spun analysis. Allan was not one to create shallow generalizations about either a given individual or a series of events. He was utterly meticulous and utterly careful. No one will ever, I think, have to redo the book on World War II, and you can almost never say that about a historian or a given piece of historical research." In 1996, Berube received a "genius grant" from the John D. and Catherine T. MacArthur Foundation for his work. For the past several years, Berube lived in Liberty, N.Y., in the Catskills. There, he owned a bed & breakfast, and operated Intelligent Design, a store selling mid-century modern collectibles. Berube's partner, John Nelson, said, "Allan just loved it when people walked into the Liberty store, looked around, and were happy." In addition to Nelson, Berube is also survived by his mother and three sisters. All of us at SLDN send our deepest sympathies to Berube's partner and family. He will be greatly missed, but his contribution to our movement and community will always persevere. - Steve Ralls -----

12-12-07 Comment (0)

Tsongas Joins the Campaign for Repeal

Congresswoman Niki Tsongas (D-MA) became the 137th co-sponsor of legislation to repeal "Don't Ask, Don't Tell" yesterday. Tsongas signed on as a supporter of The Military Readiness Enhancement Act, which was originally introduced by Congressman Marty Meehan. Tsongas replaced Meehan as Representative for the 5th District when Meehan retired earlier this year. The addition of Congresswoman Tsongas (who is also a member of the Personnel Subcommittee of the House Armed Services Committee) means that the entire Massachusetts House delegation now supports the legislation to allow lesbian, gay and bisexual Americans the opportunity to serve openly in our armed forces. Find out if your elected representative is a co-sponsor by clicking here. And, if they're not, send them a message asking that they sign on today. - Steve Ralls

Labels: Congress, Meehan, MREA

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12-11-07 Comment (0)

Huckabee’s Free Pass?

The Iowa Independent has an interesting op-ed column, posted online here, regarding the GOP presidential hopefuls' stances (or, maybe, stance since they essentially share the same view) on "Don't Ask, Don't Tell." On Duncan Hunter: Congressman Duncan Hunter (R-CA), in expressing why he supports excluding gay troops, recently said their straight co-workers "have conservative values, and they have Judeo-Christian values. To force those people to work in a small tight unit with somebody who is openly homosexual goes against what they believe to be their principles, and it is their principles, is I think a disservice to them." The Independent points out the obvious problem with Hunter's statement. "Is Hunter suggesting the military segregate soldiers based on ideology to maintain unit cohesion?," the Independent wonders. "The military has a history of being one of the first governmental institutions to implement desegregation policies, yet Hunter wants to reverse this trend, which his fellow Republican President Harry S. Truman initiated in 1950." "In an attempt to appeal to his conservative base, Hunter opened up a new vein of discrimination against moderates and liberals serving in the military," the paper says. "The big question is, if elected, would Hunter expand DADT to include anyone whose ideology isn't consistent with the conservatives?" On Mike Huckabee: "Huckabee did manage to undermine the premise of Hunter's argument about protecting conservative principles," the Independent writes. "The Uniform Code of Military Justice is probably the best rule, and it has to do with conduct. People have a right to have whatever feelings, whatever attitudes they wish," Huckabee said at the same debate where Hunter made his Judeo-Christian remarks. "But when their conduct could put at risk the morale, I think that's what is at issue. And that's why our policy is what it is." "Here, Huckabee argues that it's a homosexual's conduct that jeopardizes morale, and by conduct [we] assume he's referring to sexual conduct," the paper says. "However, no other soldier's sexual conduct is put under the morality microscope, so under a Huckabee administration, soldiers who indulge in pre-marital sex or adultery are given a free pass." Huckabee, who has been gaining significant attention in recent weeks as he also gains in polls, seems to be suggesting a "separate but equal" policy for LGBT troops. While he acknowledges that the UCMJ prohibits certain conduct, he neglects to point out that those rules & regulations apply to every service member, gay or straight. So, in fact, there are already rules about conduct that gay troops must follow. Huckabee and other GOP contenders have been fond of talking (un-necessarily, because of the UCMJ rules mentioned here) about the behavior of gay service members. But they haven't been called out, until now, on the fact that their remarks indicate they would, as the Independent notes, give a pass to all of our other uniformed personnel who violate the regulations, if they aren't lesbian or gay. We know that "separate but equal" has never worked in our country before, and it won't this time either. And, the argument Huckabee wants to make is about behavior, and that's not what the ban on gay troops is about. It never has been. And it's not about free passes, either. In reality, "Don't Ask, Don't Tell" is about who you are, and not what you do. It's sheer discrimination applied to every LGBT service member regardless of how closely they adhere to UCMJ rules. That's a point Governor Huckabee missed in his remarks, and one he should be called out on. And we're glad The Iowa Independent has done just that. - Steve Ralls

Labels: 2008, Duncan Hunter, in the news, Mike Huckabee, republicans

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12-11-07 Comment (0)

‘On Duty’ Marches On

Well, when I suggested doing a podcast when I first came on to SLDN, I never would have thought that it would be as popular as it is continually becoming. With more than 275 sunscribers from the first two episodes, On Duty is quickly living up to its goal. Service members and supporters around the globe are able to view our podcast online through several websites, or download episodes directly from iTunes to catch up on all the latest news and developments. With the launch of Episode 3 on Friday, a day late - but worth the wait, we are excited to bring a fresh new look to the way we communicate with our supporters. Check out On Duty and tell us what you think. Subscribe today! -Jason Knight

Labels: on duty, podcast

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12-10-07 Comment (0)

The L Word : Countdown to Season 5

The countdown has begun! Showtime's hit series The L Word returns on Sunday, January 6 for its fifth season. The series also continues its "Don't Ask, Don't Tell" storyline as Tasha (played by Rose Rollins) continues her military career . . . and her relationship with Alice. Check out the show's website for an exclusive video sneak peek of what the new season has in store . . . re-live last year's SLDN salute to the show at our national dinner . . . and check back here at Frontlines for updates and more as the countdown to Season 5 continues. - Steve Ralls

Labels: the l word

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12-07-07 Comment (0)

Serving Cowards & Demagogues

This morning's Baltimore Sun has a stinging rebuke of "Don't Ask, Don't Tell." The Sun editorial page issues a strong, unequivocal call for repeal and leaves no doubt about how the paper feels about the law. "Congress should take its cue to quickly dispatch the infamous 'don't ask, don't tell' policy that denies the most fundamental personal freedom to the men and women who are fighting to protect such freedoms for all other Americans," the paper says. "Military leaders are often quoted anonymously by politicians who defend the policy as necessary to maintain unit cohesion, as though the presence of openly gay or lesbian soldiers, sailors or aviators would lead to some kind of frat-house fracas. But over the 14 years since the policy was adopted, many in the top brass have had a change of heart." The editorial wraps up with an unflinching view about why the law still stands. "This policy of pointless discrimination perhaps serves only cowards in Congress and demagogues on the campaign stump," it notes. "Anyone who truly supports the troops will vote to treat all of them with the dignity and respect they deserve." If you're a Maryland resident, please consider a letter to the editor, praising The Sun's position and thanking them for standing up against federally-sanctioned discrimination. - Steve Ralls

Labels: editorials, in the news

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12-07-07 Comment (0)

Words of Faith on the Mall

This past weekend, as part of the '12,000 Flags for 12,000 Patriots' event on the National Mall, a Sunday morning prayer service paid tribute to the service personnel dismissed under "Don't Ask, Don't Tell." Members of the clergy came together to deliver a moving service, and we wanted to share some of their words with you here on Frontlines. Captain Mike Rankin, M.D., USN (Ret.), a member of SLDN's military advisory council, delivered the following remarks: We have gathered to honor those who defended our nation and our freedoms in all our nation’s wars, even if those freedoms were not always granted to them, and to us. Some, like Harvey Milk and Leonard Matlovich, were famous, the glory of their times. Others—perhaps most—are known only to those who loved them. We honor them all. You were at Valley Forge and Yorktown, at Gettysburg, Anteitam, and Shiloh. We admire your courage, and we remember you. You fought and fell on Flanders fields, aboard the Arizona at Pearl Harbor, in the skies over Midway, on the Normandy beaches, and in the snows of Bastogne and the Chosin Reservoir. We honor your sacrifice; we will never forget. We were together in the Ia Drang, at Hue during Tet, in the Marine barracks in Beruit, in Afghanistan, Kuwait, and Iraq. We knew and still know the terror of battle, the exhilaration of survival, the awful pain of burying our dead. We were comrades in arms; we remain so forever. Know the green good, you whom we loved. Under a prayer wheeling moon in the rosy wood, be shielded by chant and flower. And gay may you lie in grace. Sister that I Held Near Sister that I held near, comrade that I loving embraced, we will not forget you. In the blowing of the wind and in the chill of winter, we will remember. In the opening buds and in the rebirth of spring, we will remember. In the blueness of the sky and in the warmth of summer, we will remember. In the rustling of leaves and in the beauty of autumn, we will remember. May the God who makes peace in the heavens make peace for us here below. For those we honor this day. And for all the world. Amen. Chaplain (CAPT) John Gundlach, USN (Ret.) also spoke at the event, and delivered the followin remarks: Prayer for Our Brothers and Sisters Gracious God, you have made each of us in your image. In your eyes all that you have made is good. Yet, too many in this land have been found unacceptable for too long--because of the color of their skin, the country they came from, their gender, or their sexual orientation. We have gathered here this weekend to remember those who have suffered discrimination and abuse because of their sexual orientation. We particularly remember our brothers and sisters who have offered themselves in the service of our country, only to be turned away or turned out. We remember the 12,000 who in recent years have been found unworthy to serve, whose contributions to the common good have been rejected. We mourn the loss of so great a gift to our nation. But we also gather to celebrate. We celebrate our brothers and sisters who have served our country so faithfully for so long, some even to the point of giving their last full measure of devotion. We honor them, not only because of their willingness to offer their lives, but because their service required the additional sacrifice of part of their true identity. God, you know who they are, even if this nation never will. Today, we hold them all in our hearts—those who served in the past, and those who continue to serve today. We give thanks for them, and we take pride in them. O God, we pray for our country. We pray for those who lead us, those who make our laws, and those who pass judgment over us. We pray for our people. Open the eyes of all to see as you see; open the hearts of all to want for one’s neighbor the rights one expects for oneself; open the minds of all to your wisdom that will enable us to forsake our prejudicial norms and embrace a more just society. May your will be done in this land, and may your way become our way. This is our prayer and our hope. Amen. Benediction Go forth into the world in peace. Return to no one evil for evil. But work for justice, practice kindness, and walk humbly with your God. And may God, whose way is just and whose heart is kind, give you courage and bring you peace. Amen. Thank you to everyone who attended the 12,000 Flags events, and to Captain Gundlach and Captain Rankin for their inspiring words of faith on the Mall.

Labels: events

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12-06-07 Comment (0)

The Power of the Pen

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12-05-07 Comment (0)

Join Us On The Radio

Join me tomorrow (Thursday) morning from 9 until 10am PST (noon until 1pm EST) on KPBS radio in San Diego. I'll be joined by retired Naval Chief Lee Quillian to talk about "Don't Ask, Don't Tell," the recent letter from 28 retired Generals and Admirals in support of repeal and SLDN's work to lift the ban. To listen in, and join the conversation, click here. - Steve Ralls UPDATE: KPBS now has audio of yesterday's program posted online. Click here to listen to the discussion in its entirety.

Labels: in the news

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12-05-07 Comment (0)