Frontlines: The Latest from OutServe-SLDN
Sarvis Discusses Possible Congressional Hearing on “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell”
Last month SLDN announced that more than 600 service members had been discharged from the military in 2007 because they are lesbain, gay or bisexual, bringing the total number of men and women discharged under "Don't Ask, Don't Tell" to nearly 12,500.
In his most recent Huffington Post article, SLDN Executive Director Aubrey Sarvis reflects on the possibility of Congressional hearings examining the "Don't Ask, Don't Tell" law and the personnel needs of our armed forces. Sarvis notes, "It is historic because any serious discussion of the crisis the country faces in recruiting and retaining qualified men and women in the military...will require a fresh and serious look at the odious ‘compromise’ known as ‘Don't Ask, Don't Tell.’"
Click here to visit Huffington Post and learn why Sarvis is calling the first Congressional hearing on "Don't Ask, Don't Tell" in fifteen years "historic."
-Victor Maldonado Labels: DADT, Hearings, Huffington Post
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Washington Post Urges Repeal
This morning's Washington Post includes an editorial urging Congress to repeal the ban on openly lesbian, gay and bisexual service members, noting that it is Time to End 'Don't Ask'.
Citing a "Report of the General/Flag Officers' Study Group" released this week by the Michael D. Palm Center of the University of California at Santa Barbara, the Post called the group's findings "devastating."
"Attitudes in the military are changing," wrote the editorial board. "Allowing gay men and lesbians to serve openly 'is unlikely to pose any significant risk to morale, good order, discipline, or cohesion.'" The article concludes by exhorting readers, "That reexamination should be the beginning of the end of 'don't ask, don't tell.'"
We couldn't agree more.
You can send a letter to the editor applauding this morning's editorial by emailing .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address).
Labels: editorials, the washington post
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Tick, Tick, Tick, Tick, Tick, Tick, Tick, Tick…
Sunday, July 13th -- On Sunday, 60 Minutes will rebroadcast a story by correspondent Lesley Stahl reporting on a growing number of openly lesbian and gay troops serving on active duty in the United States military. Originally broadcast in December 2007, the story includes an interview with Army Sergeant Darren Manzella and an update noting that he has since been discharged under the "Don't Ask, Don't Tell" law. Stahl's report also looks at SLDN's work in assisting service personnel such as Manzella, and the organization's campaign to repeal "Don't Ask, Don't Tell."
Tune in: 60 Minutes; CBS TV - Check your local listing, July 13.
Labels: Darren Manzella, in the news, SLDN on 60 Minutes
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Tune In—SLDN In the News II
Monday, July 14th -- Logo Television's Jason Bellini will interview SLDN Executive Director Aubrey Sarvis and Army Sergeant Darren Manzella, the combat decorated medic recently discharged under "Don't Ask, Don't Tell." The program will include discussion of the support Manzella received in battle zones and how the upcoming presidential election could impact on the prospects for repealing "Don't Ask. Don't Tell."
Tune in: CBS News on Logo; Logo TV - 7 pm on Monday, July 14.
Labels: in the news
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Tune In—SLDN In the News
Friday July 11th -- Tune into Sirius Satellite Radio to hear former Army Sergeant and SLDN client Darren Manzella interviewed on the Michelangelo Signorile Show this Friday. Sergeant Manzella will talk about his personal experience coming out to his fellow soldiers, his appearance on 60 Minutes and his recent discharge from the Army following his second tour of duty in the Middle East.
Tune in: Michelangelo Signorile Show; Sirius Satellite Radio, OutQ Channel 109 - 3:30 pm on Friday, July 11.
-Victor MaldonadoLabels: in the news
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Memories on the 4th
I love fireworks. For some reason they always make me smile. For me, they are one of the joys of the Fourth of July celebrations. I get to see them live, on T.V. and from all over the country. I have seen fireworks in many places around the world and for many reasons, but nothing compares to the firework displays on the 4th. This year I get to see the fireworks in our nation’s Capitol which I hear are spectacular, so I am very excited!
This will be my second 4th of July celebration since leaving the Army, and I have been thinking back on the eight or so Independence Days I celebrated while serving. I remember families with blankets on the fields, kids running around, many a Bar-B-Que going on, and the music. Everyone was in high sprits, laughing and joking and just having a great time. Every year there would be invites to back yard parties, company parties, platoon parties, and various others. These were usually fun events where people would bring boyfriends, girlfriends, wives, husbands and children.
In some ways those memories make me sad because for all of the good times, I never got the chance to celebrate the 4th with someone special – because of “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell,” doing so could have cost me my career. This year, however, I will celebrate the 4th with someone I care about, which is something I couldn’t quite do while in the service, at least not in the same way those families on their blankets could. Being gay in the military was tough, and sometimes it just took the joy out of celebrations. I know what it is like to have to hide yourself and still try to enjoy the good parts of life. My heart goes out to those service members still serving both openly and in silence, and those who have served in the past. Remember, the fight goes on, and we will win.
-Former Army Sergeant Daniel Pond
SLDN Legal Intern
07-03-08 Comment (0)
Kathi Westcott—Legal Eagle
Kathi Wescott and I first met a few months after I had returned from deployment in support of Operation Enduring Freedom. It was the Spring of 2003, and SLDN was conducting one of its first Lobby Days on Capitol Hill. During the training for the event, I ended up in a work group with Kathi that had to role-play meeting Congressional members and staffers. My first impression of Kathi was that she had an incredible level of expertise and command of the issues surrounding “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell” (DADT). Even though I was familiar with the struggles service members faced under DADT as a reservist and throughout a recent deployment, Kathi ended up educating me on DADT and opened my eyes to the many issues in our fight for repeal. I was specifically impressed and touched by her dedication to making that event a success, even enlisting her own mother to help us lobby on Capitol Hill.
Over the years, as I increased my involvement with SLDN and as I got to know Kathi more, I began to rely on her for professional advice as well. As a Judge Advocate General (JAG) with the Army National Guard, I would call on Kathi to help me respond to DADT issues within my own command. The soldiers I worked with were treated with more dignity, respect and fairness because of her advice and involvement. I have also witnessed Kathi’s advocacy and legal skills up close. Kathi’s calm, thoughtful, and expert counsel guides service members through what can be very trying experiences. Service members who rely on her advice are no doubt grateful to Kathi and SLDN’s legal staff for their skill and aplomb in expertly working both the legal and non-legal issues in their cases.
Kathi has handled hundreds, if not thousands, of calls for legal assistance and consultation. She has worked tirelessly to advocate for LGBT service members before administrative boards, military commands, the media, on Capitol Hill, at the Pentagon, and in the courts. She has worked quietly behind the scenes for LGBT service members in situations where her ease, grace and subtle touch were as important as her legal expertise in getting as just a result as possible. She has stood firm in high-profile situations where she used her considerable talents as an advocate and spokesperson to influence decision-makers and the public at large. Kathi has done all of this and more for nearly ten years, accumulating one of the deepest institutional knowledge bases and level of proficiency on the fight to repeal DADT of anyone, anywhere.
At all levels of SLDN’s organization we are fortunate to have true patriots who fight tirelessly for LGBT service members around the world. Kathi is the epitome of this dedication and the example that Kathi has set for all of us represents a very high bar.
Kathi’s influence has made me want to do more to end DADT, to increase my efforts with SLDN, and to reach out proactively to those in need who serve our nation under this oppressive policy. I know she has similarly inspired countless others to do the same.
I am humbled by Kathi’s devotion to ending DADT and her service to this ever-important cause. Please join me as I congratulate Kathi on all that she has done and all that I know she will continue to do as she moves into a different role with SLDN. Kathi, I salute your service to LGBT service members and to SLDN and I salute your dedication to continuing this fight.
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07-03-08 Comment (1)
Pride & Patriotism
Atlanta’s Creative Loafing this week chronicles the experiences of five service members affected by “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell”. Arab linguists, a World War II vet and a former member of the Air Force who served in Iraq (pictured) are among those whose stories are told. SLDN Board Member Jeff Cleghorn is quoted in the story too. Click here to read it. -Adam Ebbin
Labels: Atlanta, linguists, stephen benjamin
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07-03-08 Comment (0)
Enough!
Last month SLDN announced the discharge of combat medic Sergeant Darren Manzella from the U. S. Army under the “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell” law. Though Manzella is a decorated veteran, and Pentagon studies have shown that openly gay service members do not affect unit cohesion or troop morale, the law still bans openly gay, lesbian and bisexual Americans from military service. Sadly, Darren Manzella is just the latest casualty of this law.
In his most recent Huffington Post article, SLDN Executive Director Aubrey Sarvis reflects on the meaning of Sergeant Manzella’s discharge and examines the roots of the civil rights movement noting, “The civil rights movement didn’t begin with Rosa Parks, and the struggle for LGBT rights didn’t begin with the Stonewall riots, but both events were catalysts for great social change.”
Click here to visit Huffington Post and learn why Sarvis is saying “Enough!” and why we need, now more than ever, to repeal “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell”.
Labels: Darren Manzella, Huffington Post
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