Frontlines: The Latest from OutServe-SLDN
‘Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell’: Transgender Officers On Secretly Serving In The U.S. Military (VIDEO)
"Don't Ask, Don't Tell" may have been repealed a year ago, but transgender people are still banned from serving in the military. Tackling the issue is HuffPost Live's Marc Lamont Hill, who is joined by former U.S. Navy pilot Brynn Tannehill, legal director for Service Members Legal Defense Network David McKean, President of Transgender American Vetrans Association Monica Helms, Communications Director at Outserve Sue Fulton, and Olivia, who is a transgender service member currently serving in the U.S. Navy.
"Don't Ask, Don't Tell" may have been repealed a year ago, but transgender people are still banned from serving in the military. Tackling the issue is HuffPost Live's Marc Lamont Hill, who is joined by former U.S. Navy pilot Brynn Tannehill, legal director for Service Members Legal Defense Network David McKean, President of Transgender American Vetrans Association Monica Helms, Communications Director at Outserve Sue Fulton, and Olivia, who is a transgender service member currently serving in the U.S. Navy.
Brynn, a transgender former U.S. Navy Pilot, noted, "I always really, really, really wanted to fly...I felt like I could fake it until I make it, and unfortunately it doesn't work out that way."
To read the entire article click here.
09-26-12 Comment (0)
OutServe & SLDN Announce October Conference Panel Topics
From October 25-28, 2012, OutServe and SLDN will come together to host the Second Annual International Leadership Conference in Orlando, Florida. Registration numbers have already surpassed those of last year's conference, and we are looking forward to a great event.
Today, we are excited to unveil the topics for our conference panel sessions. Many of these topics were submitted by OutServe members or by organizations who are supporting the conference. Those are noted. We will be providing additional detail in the coming weeks about participants, but today, I wanted to share the topics with you. They are listed below.
- "One Year Out: Has DADT Repeal Impacted Readiness" by The Palm Center
- "Health and Mental Health Needs of LGBT Military Families" by Military Partners & Families Coalition
- "LGBT Military Families" by American Military Partners Association
- "Out Front (Of Change)" by Military Families Research Institute
- "2012 Electoral Landscape" by Human Rights Campaign
- "Diversity in the Military Chaplaincy and What It Means for LGB Troops" by Forum on the Military Chaplaincy
- "Collateral Damage: How DADT Caused LGBT Military to Circumvent Healthcare” by Memphis PFLAG Chapter
- "LGBT Workplace Inclusion: Trend Lines in Corporate America and Their Impact on You" by Human Rights Campaign
- "So you want to get married at a military chapel?" by Forum on the Military Chaplaincy
- "Deployed and Gay" by OutServe BAF
- "From Six to Nine: US Marriage Equality" by Human Rights Campaign
- "Lessons from our International Allies"
- "Suicide Prevention"
- "Transgender Service: What's Next and How Do We Win?"
- "A Discussion with OutServe & SLDN Leadership"
As you can see, it promises to be a robust and engaging conference. If you haven't already registered, I urge you to do that as soon as possible. See you in Orlando!
To register and attend the conference, click here.
09-05-12 By Josh Seefried, OutServe Co-Director | Comment (0)
OutServe & SLDN Issue Uniform Guidance for 9/18 NYC Event
September 20th marks the one-year anniversary of the repeal of the discriminatory "Don't Ask, Don't Tell" law. No longer are our gay and lesbian men and women in uniform forced to serve in silence or risk being discharged for simply being who they are.
To commemorate the day, SLDN, OutServe, and others will be hosting celebrations around the country, and we expect that service members will attend many of these celebrations.
This will be kicked off on September 18, 2012 with a celebration aboard the Intrepid Sea, Air and Space Museum to honor the career of Admiral Mike Mullen, former Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, as well as ALL our nation's brave service members. The proceeds of the event will benefit SLDN. Service members are encouraged to attend and follow the following guidance:
- Service members speaking as part of the formal program (you would know if you are) are prohibited by regulation from wearing the uniform. Civilian attire is required.
- All other service members, including those on active duty and retirees, may attend the event as a spectator and wear their uniform if they so choose.
- Service members attending the event on orders must confirm whether they may wear the uniform at the event with the command that issued the orders to attend.
- Veterans (who are not retired) may wear their uniform.
We look forward to an exciting celebration! Hope to see you there.
UPDATE:
A number of service members attending Celebrating Our Heroes on September 18, 2012 have asked for clarification regarding which uniform is appropriate for the event. The following guidance sets forth SLDN’s recommended uniform selection.
United States Army
• The Army Service Uniform (ASU), or equivalent Class A (“greens”) if you do not have the ASU.
United States Navy
• For Officers, Warrant Officers or Enlisted E-7 and above: Service Khaki or Service Dress Summer Whites
• For Enlisted E-6 and below: Service Dress Summer Whites
United States Air Force
• Service Dress Uniform
United States Marine Corps
• Blue Dress “B” (Despite the summer season, the Blue-White "B" is not appropriate for SNCOs and officers as there will be junior Marines and NCOs in attendance in uniform.)
United States Coast Guard
• Service Dress Blue
All uniforms should be worn with appropriate ribbons and badges, if permitted.
09-04-12 By David McKean, SLDN Legal Director | Comment (0)
Barbara Walters
We couldn't be more excited. That's because legendary broadcast journalist and co-host of ABC's The View, Barbara Walters, will be the emcee for our celebration in New York City on Tuesday, September 18. We will be honoring Admiral Mike Mullen, former Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, and paying tribute to America's service members and veterans as we mark the first anniversary of the repeal of "Don't Ask, Don't Tell."
And there's more good news.
There is still time to get your tickets and be there for this memorable, once-in-a-lifetime event. The celebration will include remarks by Admiral Mullen and performances by renowned Broadway stars. In the coming days, we will be announcing exciting new additions to the lineup.
They're going fast, and you do not want to miss this event. Get your tickets today. Looking forward to seeing you there!
To purchase tickets, click here.
09-04-12 By Aubrey Sarvis, Army Veteran & SLDN Executive Director | Comment (0)
