Frontlines, the SLDN Blog
Educating the White Guys
Just to clarify: This is NOT President Clinton signing the executive order about gays in the military . . . because "Don't Ask, Don't Tell" isn't an executive order! It's a Congressional law.
This, however, seems to be a point that still eludes some people . . . even those who are on our side!
When my daily DiversityInc email message popped up this afternoon, I was excited to see the magazine's Ask a White Guy column dealing with the issue of gays in the military . A reader wrote in to say, "As an active-duty member, there are items in the magazine that I personally can't do, such as condone or support gay/lesbian lifestyle. We are still "don't ask, don't tell" ... There are many good articles regarding race, gender and ethnicity, but I just can't support the other."
The White Guy columnist did a good job for the most part, emphasizing that military - and political - attitudes are changing. But his opening remark was off the mark.
"The 'don't ask, don't tell' policy is an executive order from President Clinton's administration," he said.
Actually, "Don't Ask, Don't Tell" marked the first time Congress codified the military's ban on gays into law. That's why the law cannot be repealed by executive order, either. It requires an act of Congress (followed by a Presidential signature) to get rid of the ban once and for all.
We appreciate Diversity's on-going, positive coverage of LGBT issues, but it's important for everyone to know the facts about how the ban became law . . . and how it can be toppled, too.
- Steve RallsLabels: in the news
-----08-17-07 Comment (0)
Rough Draft
So, I'm perusing the Selective Service web site today and on a whim, decided to update my address. It wouldn't let me for technical reasons...
I get to the FAQ and suddenly realize that I'm no longer eligible for the draft anyway. OK, fair enough.
Of course, I know that I wouldn't be allowed to serve anyway given my "Don't Ask, Don't Tell" discharge, but hey, it was fun to think about the dilemma they'd face.
The remainder of my time on the site was spent picking up the following:
Did you know - that draftees must be between 18-25? (Isn't the Army taking folks up to 34 now?)
Did you know - that prisoners who fall into the Selective Service age range are required to register within 30 days of release?
Did you know - that illegal aliens are required to register?
Did you know - that refugees, asylees and parolees are required to register?
Did you know - that ANY former member of the Armed Forces, separated for ANY reason, must register if their separation falls before their 26th birthday?
Nowhere does it say anything about "the homosexuals." I was a little disappointed. I wanted to see "homos = no" on the registration requirement. Seems that despite our all volunteer preferences, the big boys in Congress realize that in a crisis, any BODY will do.
Oye. How are things in Iraq boys?
For more Selective Service fun facts, visit WWW.SSS.GOV
- Former Navy Petty Officer First Class Jeremy Johnson
08-17-07 Comment (3)
Calling All Veterans
On August 14th, anchorwoman Erica Hill recapped the story on CNN's Prime News of Cecil Sinclair; the Navy veteran who's memorial service was canceled at High Point Church in Arlington Texas after the church hierarchy discovered he was gay. On whether the church was right or wrong on its decision to cancel the service, Raymond from Kentucky wrote in to CNN saying, "...This man was a veteran and we need to think of that instead of the church worrying about lifestyles. We are able to worship as we see fit because of our veterans." So what were your thoughts when hearing this story? How would you react if it were your family member? Outraged? Sympathetic? Send in your thoughts via email or video to Erica and let your voice be heard. -Jason KnightLabels: CNN, reactions, veterans
-----08-16-07 Comment (0)
How Many Push-Ups Can Elaine Do?
The week's looking up after all . . .
I never miss an opportunity to talk about Elaine Donnelly's latest rant in the news. Today she's upset about women again, and even though we generally focus on LGBT issues here, all of us at SLDN are greatly appreciative of the long history of stellar service to our country by female troops, too. And Elaine's newest insights on women in the services - which centers around their ability to win a push-up contest, apparently - shows just how out of touch with the best interests of our military Ms. Donnelly really is.
According to a (woefully sexist) report in today's Pasadena Star, Donnelly is upset about recent remarks by Democratic presidential candidates supporting women's registration in the Selective Service. Why's she in an uproar? The candidates, you see, had the audacity to suggest that women are equal . . . but Elaine (reportedly a woman herself) knows better.
"The Navy has male trainees do a minimum of 42 push-ups for a minimum score;" she reminds the Star, while "women must do 17."
But it's not just push-ups, people!
"Men (ages 20 to 24) must swim 500 yards in 12 minutes, 15 seconds; women (ages 20 to 24) get 14 minutes to accomplish the same."
Obviously, this inequality of push-ups and backstrokes shows just how unqualified for service American women really are. (insert sarcastic smirk here)
But what I want to know is this: How many push-ups can Elaine do? I'm willing to bet, after carrying around all that guilt over stereotyping people and treating them unfairly, she's built up some pretty impressive muscles. And if she can get past that 17 push-up mark, she just might be able to prove herself wrong.
And if she can't get to 17? She should be damn grateful that the women who can are out there protecting her country and her right to say such absurd and patently ludicrous things.
- Steve RallsLabels: elaine donnelly, in the news
-----08-16-07 Comment (0)
Dallas LGBT Community Speaks Out for Veteran
Prominent members of Dallas's LGBT and religious communities have spoken out in a group letter written to the Dallas Morning News this past weekend, in response to the manner in which Cecil Sinclair's memorial service was handled (which we blogged about on Friday). Cecil Sinclair, a Navy Veteran, died of complications from surgery. His service was cancelled 24 hours beforehand because church officials learned that he was gay. This is the letter written: As people of faith and leaders in the gay and lesbian community, we always hope that communities of faith will treat all people – regardless of sexual orientation – with dignity and respect, particularly in time of great need. Freedom of religion is an American right and a human value we hold dear, and High Point Church is certainly entitled to its beliefs. However, we wholeheartedly reject and condemn the remarks by the Rev. Gary Simons, High Point's senior pastor, when he compared being gay to committing murder. It is particularly reprehensible that Mr. Simons chose to offer his remarks so personally toward Cecil Sinclair within days of his death, during his family's greatest hour of need, and it is deplorable that Mr. Simons directed his comparison at a Navy veteran who served with honor. We hope Mr. Sinclair's family and loved ones could celebrate his life in whatever way is meaningful to them. It is our hope, too, that communities of faith will ensure that no grieving family endures scornful judgment or disdain at the hands of its leaders. Patti Fink, president, Dallas Gay and Lesbian Alliance; Dr. Roger Wedell, co-chair, Dallas Religion and Faith Committee, Human Rights Campaign; the Rev. Michael Piazza, president, Hope for Peace & Justice; and Dr. Jo Hudson, senior pastor, Cathedral of Hope UCC, Dallas There was also a letter published by the Turtle Creek Chorale - of which Sinclair was a member - and Jeanine Gibbs, Richardson. They can be read here. Also check out this editorial from the Houston Chronicle published yesterday. - Jason Knight -----08-15-07 Comment (0)
Concord, NH Celebrates LGBT Service Members
If you are in the Concord, NH area tomorrow afternoon and want to show your support for a repeal of the military’s “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell” policy, stop by the Kimball Jenkins Estate Carriage House Gallery at 1 p.m. to hear from SLDN client, Sonya Contreras, as she shares her personal experiences as a Former Sergeant in the U.S. Army who in 2003 was dismissed from the service after admitting that she is a lesbian. Sonya will be in Concord as part of the Legacy of Service Tour which travels across the country sharing service member’s personal stories of courage and sacrifice and discussing the need for repeal of the "Don't Ask, Don't Tell" policy. Join Sonya on August 16th at 1pm at: Kimball Jenkins Estate Carriage House Gallery 266 North Main St Concord, N.H. 03301 Or, to learn more about Sonya’s story, in her own words, click here. -Victor MaldonadoLabels: community events, events, HRC, new hampshire
-----08-15-07 Comment (0)
Bilerico.com: What Real Marines Do
Marine Corps Captain Joshua Gibbs started his career in the Corps in 1998 as a Reserve tank driver and has done two tours in Iraq. He’s a well-respected, highly decorated officer who has served our country well. And, he’s an outspoken heterosexual ally of the lesbian and gay community. In fact, he’s such an eloquent advocate of LGBT service personnel that the United States Marine Corps has shipped him off to Japan after he dared to speak out against “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell.” In what appears to be an unbelievable ‘first,’ the U.S. military has seemingly punished a heterosexual service member for speaking out against the ban.
The Marine Corps Times op-ed by Captain Gibbs wasn’t his first; he’s written about many other topics in the news before. It also wasn’t unprecedented; other active duty officers have questioned the ban in the same newspaper before. But the Marine Corps’ response – to reassign Captain Gibbs and order him not to talk to the media again – is unusual and unacceptable. Gibbs has spent his military career fighting to protect, among other things, the American people’s freedom of speech. In return, the country he serves has stripped him of that same right. But I have a feeling Captain Gibbs will return and fight with us again . . . because that's what real Marines do.
(continue reading What Real Marines Do at Bilerico.com . . . )Labels: in the news, marine corps, other blogs
-----08-15-07 Comment (0)
Video: Secret Rationale for Military’s Gay Ban Revealed
WARNING!! ***This is not a real news piece. There is no General Robert McBrayer from the Pentagon. No Target shoppers were harmed in the making of this piece. Extreme laughter may cause cramps, reddening of the cheeks, and a feeling of euphoria.***'Gays Too Precious To Risk In Combat,' Says General Visit the Onion. -Jason Knight
Labels: don't ask don't tell, in the news, satire, video
-----08-14-07 Comment (0)
A Request from our Friends at GLAD
Gay & Lesbian Advocates and Defenders (GLAD), which ended marriage discrimination in Massachusetts with their successful lawsuit, Goodridge et al v. Department of Public Health, is now investigating the harms suffered by married same-sex couples as a result of the federal "Defense of Marriage Act," or DOMA.
As you may know, DOMA discriminates against married same-sex couples by excluding those couples from the 1,138 federal laws providing protections, benefits and obligations to married people. GLAD is hoping that you can help them fight federal discrimination by telling your story.
The most powerful weapon in combating discrimination is your story. GLAD wants to know how federal law is affecting you and your spouse as a Massachusetts married same-sex couple. If you are married in the state of Massachusetts, please take time to tell GLAD about how DOMA affects you by filling out a survey online at www.glad.org/feddiscA.
GLAD has been advocating LGBT rights across New England for 29 years, establishing legal precedents in adoption, employment, safe schools, discrimination protection, HIV care, marriage and more. For more information, visit them online at www.glad.org.
- Steve RallsLabels: GLAD, marriage, Massachusetts
-----08-14-07 Comment (0)
Church Defends Decision on Gay Vet’s Funeral
An update to our blog entry on Friday... Dallas Morning News printed a follow-up story on Sunday with further details of the story. A response was posted on our blog by Paul Wagner, the Navy Vet's partner. The same response was posted on several other sites featuring the story and gives a very different side of the story than what the church was claiming. As the details are coming to light, the fact remains that Cecil Sinclair's memorial service was first offered then retracted based on his sexual orientation. Reverand Gary Simons read a lengthy statement before his congregation on Sunday. "The issue is not whether we hold a memorial service in a lifestyle of sin. We've assisted many families in this regard. The issue is whether we would allow an openly homosexual memorial service in our church. We love the homosexual, but cannot condone the homosexual lifestyle. We could not allow homosexuality to be glorified in this house of worship." Granted, I respect religion, but being a Hebrew Linguist, I have had a chance to do some extensive research on the bible and what it DOESN'T say about homosexuality. Eh hemm... The bible has been interpreted to condone all sorts of things like slavery, and the role-or lack of-of women. But that is a whole 'nother can of worms... With respect to the church and thier beliefs, our deepest condolences to Cecil's partner and family and hope that his memory is honored for his service to his family, to his partner, and to his country. - Jason Knight -----08-13-07 Comment (0)
