Frontlines Feed: The Latest from SLDN
At the Democratic Convention the Mantra Is….
The Democratic National Convention keeps our man in Denver moving. From Google's tent (get a massage while your phone is charging) to the Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee's reception to the hymn-singing ladies on the street, SLDN's Aubrey Sarvis is a busy man -- and everywhere he's pushing for the repeal of Don't Ask, Don't Tell and the passage of H.R. 1246. Read about it in his latest blog on the Huffington Post.
Labels: aubrey sarvis, Democrats, Huffington Post
-----08-26-08 Comment (0)
Starring in Denver: Barack and Hillary and Joe
SLDN's executive director Aubrey Sarvis blogs on the Huffington Post from the Democratic National Convention in Denver that Hillary Clinton and Joe Biden can help Obama or they can hurt him, but it's still up to Obama to seal the deal. That will determine the next leader of the most powerful country in the world. Whether that man is Obama or McCain, he will carry a heavy, heavy responsibility.
Labels: aubrey sarvis, barack obama, Democrats, Hillary Clinton, Joe Biden
-----08-26-08 Comment (0)
Anxious Democrats
Aubrey Sarvis is blogging this week for the Huffington Post from the Democratic National Convention in Denver. He reports that the party faithful are full of hopeful anticipation mixed with a dash of apprehension. Why the apprehension? Look towards the Clintons. How much weight to give the Hillary factor? Will her most ardent supporters get on the Obama bandwagon, however reluctantly? Or are they so disaffected that they’ll climb aboard the McCain Express and elect the Republicans' man in November?
Labels: aubrey sarvis, Democrats, Huffington Post
-----08-25-08 Comment (0)
Transgender Veterans Survey Finds Discrimination by Military and Veterans Administration
A recent survey [PDF] by the Transgender American Veterans Association shows that transgender veterans are being turned away and being mistreated in high numbers by Veterans Administration medical facilities.
...Read More08-25-08 Comment (0)
Transgender Veterans Survey Finds Discrimination by Military and Veterans Administration
A recent survey by the Transgender American Veterans Association shows that transgender veterans are being turned away and being mistreated in high numbers by Veterans Administration medical facilities. The Palm Center at the University of California, Santa Barbara analyzed the responses of 827 transgender U.S. military veterans and active-duty personnel. 10% of respondents were turned away from the VA due to being transgender, while many reported other forms of discrimination including lack of respect from VA doctors (22%), non-medical staff (21%), and nurses (13%). In addition, among those who served under the “don’t ask, don’t tell policy,” 1 in 5 were questioned by an officer about their sexual orientation, a violation of the military’s DADT policy. A third reported there were suspicions about their sexual identity; indicating that officers were confusing that with gender variance. “I find it very disturbing that our proud veterans are being turned away by the VA because of who they are,” stated Monica Helms, President of Transgender American Veterans Association. “We served our country honorably and proudly and the VA medical benefits we earned should not be denied or diminished simply because of the direction our lives took after discharge from active service.” Other figures found in the survey also paint a bleak picture of how transgender veterans are being treated. VA medical services offered to other veterans are routinely denied transgender veterans, such as pap smears, mammograms, prostate exams, psychotherapy and hormone treatments. Also, respondents reported they were more likely to be turned away for treatment related to transgender health issues. Nearly one third of the survey participants reported having experienced discrimination in the workplace, with 31% reporting that they believed they had not been hired for a job specifically because they were transgender. A full 15% reported that they had been fired from a job for being transgender (with 40% of those people having been fired more than once).Labels: Palm Center, TAVA, transgender issues
-----08-25-08 Comment (0)
Standing on Principle
Aubrey Sarvis recently wrote in the Huffington Post about the Democratic Party’s draft platform that calls for the repeal of “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell.” Four years ago, DADT was not even mentioned. The draft has to be approved by the convention next week, but that seems a virtual certainty. He compares this principled stand with others that were found controversial in their time, like the racial integration of the armed forces in 1948. Such major changes in attitude rise above partisanship. They’re not about what party we belong to but what kind of country we are.Labels: aubrey sarvis, Democratic Platform, don't ask don't tell, Huffington Post
-----08-21-08 Comment (0)
Congresswoman Stephanie Tubbs Jones Passes Suddenly
Servicemembers Legal Defense Network Executive Director Aubrey Sarvis expressed deep condolences on the sudden and sad death of Ohio Congresswoman Stephanie Tubbs Jones. Sarvis said, “With the passing of Congresswoman Stephanie Tubbs Jones, we have lost a fierce champion and a dear friend. Her opposition to ‘Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell’ was just one example of her strong commitment to building a more just America, and insisting upon equality for all.”
Sarvis added, “We are extremely proud that Congresswoman Tubbs Jones was one of 143 House co-sponsors of H.R. 1246, the Military Readiness Enhancement Act.”
Labels: Congress, Tubbs Jones
-----08-21-08 Comment (0)
Congresswoman Stephanie Tubbs Jones Passes Suddenly
Servicemembers Legal Defense Network Executive Director Aubrey Sarvis expressed deep condolences on the sudden and sad death of Ohio Congresswoman Stephanie Tubbs Jones. Sarvis said, “With the passing of Congresswoman Stephanie Tubbs Jones, we have lost a fierce champion and a dear friend. Her opposition to ‘Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell’ was just one example of her strong commitment to building a more just America, and insisting upon equality for all.”
08-21-08 Comment (0)
Thank You, Admiral Barnett
After 32 years of distinguished service, Rear Admiral Jamie Barnett retired from the U.S. Navy Reserve in June. In a virtual retirement message, he urged the repeal of “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell.” Barnett recently wrote an Op-Ed in the Washington Post calling on military leaders to speak openly of how "Don't Ask, Don't Tell" injures our military and weakens our preparedness. This week, we are proud to announce that he is contributing his compensation from the Washington Post to SLDN. We are honored to Admiral Barnett’s contribution and proud that he is speaking out to right this wrong. On behalf of our clients and all who must serve in silence, we thank Admiral Jamie Barnett.
--Adam Ebbin
Labels: Jamie Barnett, the washington post
-----08-11-08 Comment (0)
Irony in the House Dead? Not Yet
In his most recent Huffington Post article, SLDN Executive Director Aubrey Sarvis reflects on the irony of Congress holding historic hearings on “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell” the very same day lawmakers attended a ceremony commemorating the 60th anniversary of President Truman’s integration of the armed forces.
In his article, Sarvis notes, “The very same arguments that were made in 1948 against mingling the races in the military were made Wednesday against mixing homosexuals and heterosexuals...But there was a major difference: this time the two witnesses testifying to the hotbed of sexual license that our armed forces would instantly become should homosexuals be allowed to romp freely through the barracks looked, to put it charitably, foolish.”
Click here to visit Huffington Post and learn what Sarvis is saying about "Irony in the House.”
-Adam Ebbin
Labels: Hearings, Huffington Post
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