Frontlines: The Latest from OutServe-SLDN
DADT and Same-Sex Marriage
This past week, the California Supreme Court ruled in a 4-3 decision that same-sex marriage is constitutionally protected in nation’s most populous state. This is of course a tremendous victory in the fight for equality. But walking down the aisle can be an exercise fraught with risks for an important segment of the population – lesbian, gay, and bisexual (LBG) service members.
When gay Californians go off to Iraq or Afghanistan, and hope to marry their loved ones before they depart or upon their return, they put their careers at risk….
Marrying (or attempting to marry) someone of the same sex is considered “homosexual conduct” under “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell.” The law not only requires service members to be discharged for saying they are gay, and for engaging in gay “acts,” like kissing and hand-holding, it also requires that service members be discharged for “marriage or attempted marriage” to someone of the same sex.
SLDN has spoken to numerous service members who have already been impacted by other marriage, civil union, and domestic partnership laws throughout the country. We have warned them that while we don’t expect the military to go trolling for evidence of these publically recognized same-sex relationships, someone could use these public records to out them under “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell.”
In addition to the threat of malicious outings, there are other, unforeseen risks that will continue to affect lesbian, gay and bisexual service members. For example, this past year, one client who contacted us was married to someone of the same sex. Her unit was demanding that she fill out paperwork that would establish her marital status, and she was afraid that if she honestly answered the questions, she would out herself and lose her job as a result. We ultimately gave her advice on how to honestly and safely fill out the paperwork in question. With same sex marriage rights growing from coast to coast, there is no doubt that these and other difficult questions will continue to arise.
It is unfortunate that she, like others affected by “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell,” is being asked to risk her life for her country while at the same time risking her job simply for marring the woman she loved.
-Aaron TaxLabels: civil unions, DADT, marriage
-----05-21-08 Comment (0)
On Common Sense
The Secretary of Defense says that United States ground forces will grow by 90,000 over the next five years. Where are these troops going to come from?Aubrey Sarvis brings some common sense to military readiness in his latest blog on the Huffington Post.
Click here to read more and comment on the need for rational military leadership.
Labels: Huffington Post
-----05-19-08 Comment (0)
Are you Smarter than an 8th Grader?
Click here to view a video produced by 8th grader Tucker Jepsen as part of a National History Day contest in which he competed. It is a useful primer on the history of “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell’ and a good look at what America’s next generation is capable of.
Let’s hope that the American public hears what this young man has to say and honors the service of all American patriots by urging lawmakers to repeal “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell."
The next generation is watching.
-Victor Maldonado Labels: Bill Clinton, editorials
-----05-19-08 Comment (0)
Armed Forces Day
Today is Armed Forces Day. I only know because my calendar tells me so – there’s no mention of it in today’s San Francisco Chronicle. I guess that’s part of living in the Bay Area.
For those of you who, like me, wonder how this holiday came about - I did a little research. In August 1949, then Secretary of Defense Louis Johnson announced the creation of “a day of celebration to honor the combined efforts of every military branch.” Since then, the third Saturday of May has been recognized as Armed Forces Day in the United States.
Granted it might get overshadowed a bit on the calendar by Memorial Day, but I’m disappointed in the lack of recognition for the day. Having served 22 years in the Navy on active duty and the reserves, I personally believe EVERY day should be Armed Forces Day. For me, there’s no such thing as over-recognizing the dedication, commitment, sacrifice and duty of our men and women in uniform, particularly during this time in our nation’s history.
I think there should be special recognition for our 65,000 GLBT servicemembers who carry the additional burden of serving in silence everyday. Let’s acknowledge these courageous men and women, many serving overseas and facing danger every day, unable to express themselves openly in emails or letters to loved ones for fear of being discovered. I remember the drill from when I served onboard ship – unsigned letters, no return addresses, gender neutral language, nothing too specific. I joined the military because I was drawn to service, to the integrity and honor that it represented to me. To have to be covert in communications to a loved one, a part of your support system, for fear of possible discharge – to me that just contradicts what the military stands for.
So today, instead of articles on Armed Forces Day, the Chronicle has four articles on Thursday’s California State Supreme Court ruling striking down the state’s ban on same sex marriage. When I first saw the news announcement, I jumped out of my chair at work and announced it to anyone within hearing distance. Many people smiled, said that’s great, offered congratulations and then went back to work. I wanted to shake each one of them and say “Don’t you know how important and unexpected this is?? How can you just return to business as usual????"
I found it difficult to focus the rest of the work day. I kept going for 10 minute walks around the building, calling friends on my cell phone, trying to stay cool in the unusual 100-degree heat. At the end of the day, my partner Pam and I drove into San Francisco to celebrate. People were walking up and down Market Street draped in Gay Pride and State of California flags, cars were honking, strangers were hugging. Castro Street closed down, a DJ was brought in, and the place became a large celebratory block party.
I stood there, overflowing with joy for the victory, for the ramifications of the decision, for the historical significance of the day. And for the freedom to celebrate openly in the streets with others.
Then came a bittersweet moment when I thought of those 65,000 GLBT servicemembers, and in particular my friend who is currently serving in Baghdad. What must the experience be like to read the news, and NOT be able to announce it to co-workers, and have to celebrate silently? What must it be like to proudly know your military service protects and defends this great democracy that enables decisions like this to happen? And finally, what must it be like to know you can’t take advantage of it? Because even though the ruling stated the California Constitution "properly must be interpreted to guarantee this basic civil right to all Californians, whether gay or heterosexual ", it does not mention the fact Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell still prohibits servicemembers from marrying someone of the same sex. So a victory for some, but not for all. And I’m struck by the regrettable irony that those who serve to protect and defend the U.S. Constitution still are excluded from all its protections.
One ban has been lifted, here in California, at least for now. Another one remains – Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell. I remain 100% committed to SLDN and our mission to assist military personnel affected by Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell, and will keep fighting until it is repealed. And I look forward to the celebration and dancing in the streets that will take place when that day comes!
CDR Zoe Dunning, SC, USNR (Ret.
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Austin-American Statesman
Labels: letter to the editor
-----05-16-08 Comment (0)
Pride Kick-off
Pride season is upon us!
What a concept, Pride. Every year we come together with as a community and along with our allies, celebrate the LBGT community. These festivals, parades, and parties are political, social, business-oriented, family-oriented -- there's something for everyone. I love Pride, and am excited to be flying to Long Beach this weekend to kick off SLDN's summer-long campaign, engaging folks in our work to repeal "Don't Ask, Don't Tell."
That Pride is an opportunity for people from all walks of life come together makes these events fantastic opportunity for education and activism around repealing the "Don't Ask, Don't Tell” law. SLDN is hosting booths at events all over the country. We need your help to expand our reach to more communities!
Through our Pride Captain's program you can take the lead in coordinating an SLDN booth at a Pride festival in your town. It's a terrific chance to participate in Pride and talk to people about lifting the ban, and it goes a long way towards building our movement.
Some festival-goers are currently serving in the military. SLDN's lawyers tell me that service members can go to Pride -- it's called "associational" behavior and is not by itself a violation of "Don't Ask, Don't Tell" -- but attendance at LGBT events may raise suspicions. We strongly encourage service members NOT to wear any part of their uniform, including dog tags, at any Pride event.
Connecting with service members and expanding awareness of SLDN's free legal services are integral goals of our presence at Pride festivals. We want everyone to have a happy and safe Pride experience!
Advocacy to end this awful law is also core to SLDN's outreach at Pride. Our booths get those who are already interested more involved in the movement. They also help educate and engage those folks who aren't yet aware of the travesty called "Don't Ask, Don't Tell."
Please help us make Pride 2008 a landmark year for the movement to lift the ban! I encourage you to learn more and apply to be a Pride Captain. Check out the list so far of cities where SLDN is hosting booths, and sign up to volunteer at one in your area!
Pride is terrific fun and an unparalleled opportunity to get more people engaged in our fight to end "Don't Ask, Don't Tell." Join us this summer!
-Jill RaneyLabels: Pride
-----05-16-08 Comment (0)
Heard on the Hill
Congresswoman Ellen Tauscher (D-CA), Chairwoman of the House Armed Services Strategic Forces Subcommittee and lead sponsor of the Military Readiness Enhancement Act (H.R. 1246), the bill which will repeal "Don't Ask, Don't Tell," issued a statement this afternoon in response to the California State Supreme Court overturning a ban on same-sex marriages.
“This is the right decision for California and I hope the rest of America will follow suit. Marriage is a civil right. When we withhold it from one segment of the population we are doing a disservice to the principles of fairness and equality upon which our country was founded," said Tauscher. "I will continue to work in Congress to achieve this level of equality on the issue of marriage as well as related issues like the repeal of Don’t Ask Don’t Tell, a policy that is preventing otherwise fully qualified men and women from serving their country in the military and by doing so damaging the readiness of our Armed Forces.”
The Military Readiness Enhancement Act, originally introduced in 2005, would repeal "Don't Ask, Don't Tell" and replace the current law with new provision prohibiting discrimination based on sexual orientation in the Armed Forces. The measure is currently supported by a bi-partisan coalition of 142 lawmakers.
Click here to learn more about Congresswoman Tauscher or visit SLDN online to learn more about the Military Readiness Enhansement Act.
-Victor Maldonado
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05-15-08 Comment (0)
Passing of a Champion
Larry McKeon often served in an unassuming way, but he was a real fighter when he needed to be. We Illinoisans were lucky to have him in our corner.
The Illinois legislator who died Monday was a champion for all civil rights, but I'll always associate him with the Illinois Human Rights Act, a strong LGBT rights bill passed in 2005 providing protections in the area of employment, public accommodation, and housing. I supported passage of that bill for twenty years, but felt better about its chances once Larry was elected to office in 1996.
An openly gay, HIV+ man, Larry was a breath of fresh air in Springfield. He could be feisty and had occasional outbursts at the rank hypocrisy of some Illinois legislators. Some activists criticized this as hurting the movement, but I admired him for his restraint, patience, and legislative skills. With constituents, he was personable and down to earth.
I went to a recognition event for Larry in 2006 just before I moved to DC to work for SLDN. He was retiring due to his failing health, having been diagnosed with cancer in addition to HIV. He seemed physically frail but mentally strong and determined to continuing to fight for LGBT rights. His gratitude for our appreciation was touching, given all he had contributed to the community.
Larry was Chicago's Harvey Milk, a guy you would want to know, who fought hard for economic and social justice, and who was taken from us too soon.
Like a million other Americans, he was an LGBT veteran, forced to serve in silence. I bet he served then as he served later in life: an unassuming soldier, but a real fighter you would want in your corner.
Larry got to see passage of the Illinois Human Rights Act into law under his watch, and got the just appreciation he deserved for the hard work he put into that fight.
He didn't get to see the U.S. Congress recognize the value of his service in the military by repealing the "Don't Ask, Don't Tell" ban. But soon, a million other LGBT veterans will.
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05-15-08 Comment (0)
GALE Force – The Winds of Change
Dr. Tony Tether, Director of the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA), recently testified before Congress on the need to fund his agency’s FY 2009 budget. In his testimony, Dr Tether outlined to the House Armed Services Committee the need to continue funding projects such as the Global Autonomous Language Exploitation (GALE), a translation system that will automatically translate Arabic into English in real time.
What makes Dr. Tether’s testimony so compelling is his rational for funding this multi-million dollar technology. According to Dr. Tether, “At the tactical level, there are not enough translators for each patrol or vehicle checkpoint.” In other words, there are not enough Arabic linguists in the military to guard critical checkpoints and the result is our men and women in uniform are left increasingly without the means to effectively communicate with Iraqis or Afghans. This is rather remarkable.
In the past five years the military has discharged more than fifty-eight Arabic linguists under “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell.” Are fifty-eight Arabic linguists enough to relieve Dr. Tether and his team of the need to continue researching automated transcription? Maybe not. But Dr. Tether’s testimony exposes another danger “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell” is inflicting on our military.
Yes, we must continue to research and develop technologies, like GALE, but we must also recognize the urgent need for human intelligence gathering, and the loss America’s armed forces incur when highly trained men and women are discharged from the military for no other reason than they are gay. “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell’ is hurting America’s ability to fight the global war on terror and until we are ready to replace all translators with machines, let’s get on with repealing “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell.” Clearly, our country benefits from having these trained men and women fighting for our side.
It’s time to give common sense a chance.
-Aubrey SarvisLabels: linguists
-----05-13-08 Comment (0)
Raising the Barr
Republican Congressman turned ACLU consultant Bob Barr yesterday announced he will seek the Libertarian Party’s nomination for the presidency in 2008.
Labels: 2008, Barak Obama, Bob Barr, Hillary Clinton, McCain
05-13-08 Comment (1)
