Frontlines Feed: The Latest from SLDN

Support for DADT Repeal Blooming in Middle America

Smack in the middle of America lies Kansas, one of the rectangular great plains states. And smack in the middle of Kansas lies – Hutchinson. Hutchinson, with a population around 40,000, is known as the Salt City. Hutchinson’s most important recent historic achievement is the fact that the high school football team -the Salthawks- has had five straight appearances, including four straight wins, in the 6A State Championship Game. Hutchinson has a Republican state representative, a Republican state senator, a Republican Congressman, and two Republican Senators. And Hutchinson’s newspaper, Hutch News, has the most recent editorial demanding repeal of “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell.” Citing the recent 60 Minutes story on Darren Manzella, an Army Sergeant retained by his command despite being openly gay, the editorial board writes: Whether a workplace is a field of combat or an office, valued employees such as Manzella never should be penalized for disclosing to employers their sexual orientation. Their job performances should say it all. Middle America has spoken. 79% of the American people have made their views clear. “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell” should be repealed. Let’s hope Congress listens, because as the Hutch News says: It is about time.

-Julie Kruse

Labels: julie kruse, support

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12-20-07 Comment (0)

Sergeant Manzella Comes Home

The holidays will be a whole lot brighter for the Manzella family, who are looking forward to welcoming a very special guest home. Many of you have called and emailed about what's next for Sergeant Darren Manzella, the SLDN client who was featured on Sunday's 60 Minutes story about "Don't Ask, Don't Tell." Today, we can give you the first update on Darren's story. Sergeant Manzella arrived back in the United States yesterday with his unit, returning from a long tour in Kuwait. He got back to his base in the States yesterday, safe and sound. As you can imagine, his CBS appearance on Sunday has caused quite the buzz among his fellow troops, but Darren reports to SLDN that he's received an overwhelmingly positive response from many people - both inside and out of the armed forces - who have contacted him to offer support and congratulations. (And we've been passing along your messages to Darren, too. You can still email him at .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address).) Now, of course, Darren's thoughts are turning to the upcoming holidays. And, we're happy to report, it looks like he'll likely be able to spend Christmas at home with parents and siblings, who are all immensely proud of him. I called Darren's mom & dad just a few minutes ago to let them know that SLDN is working hard to get him home for the holidays. To say they are excited . . . proud . . . and looking forward to seeing him is an understatement. (Darren's mom has shared just a few tears with me on the phone many times throughout this process.) Their support for Darren has been unwavering, and their commitment to joining him in the fight to repeal "Don't Ask, Don't Tell" has inspired and moved all of us at the SLDN office. But first, there's a well-deserved holiday break on the horizon for Sergeant Manzella and a homecoming that two wonderful parents have been waiting for . . . for a very long time. - Steve Ralls

Labels: Darren Manzella, sldn clients, SLDN on 60 Minutes

12-20-07 Comment (5)

One Mom’s Take on ‘60 Minutes’

Bilerico.com blogger Bil Browning has a post up on his site about reaction from his partner's mom to Sunday's 60 Minutes story on "Don't Ask, Don't Tell." As Bil points out, the story made an impression on Sherry, his partner Jerame's mom. Here's an excerpt from his excellent post: This morning Sherry called to ask me if I'd seen "60 Minutes, 20/20, whatever in the hell that show was that had gay soldiers on it." She meant the 60 Minutes piece on openly gay soldier Darren Manzella that Steve had blogged about. While I hadn't watched the show, his post had tipped me off that it was coming up. "I knew you'd know about it. You know everything gay. You got that website." I think that was a compliment. She was seriously livid after watching 60 Minutes. She went on a 20 minute diatribe about the injustices of Don't Ask Don't Tell and how it all fed into stuff like the marriage amendment and the daily issues that the LGBT family face. "You get on that there blog and you tell 'em Jerame's mom says 'That ain't right,'" she said. "Don't nobody care anymore. They's lettin' 'em stay in there now even when they tell. The troops ain't got no problem with it. You are who you are." What's even better is that there was some other woman there (I have no idea who she was) that was also chiming in and getting all worked up too. Between the two of them it was hard to hear! But even though I know all the reasons why DADT is bad policy and how Indiana's proposed amendment will hurt some families, I listened and I "listened good." I heard more than Jerame's mom. You can too if you listen hard enough. That's the sound of change, my friends. You can read Bil's full Bilerico.com post here. - Steve Ralls

Labels: bilerico, other blogs, SLDN on 60 Minutes

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12-20-07 Comment (0)

Home for the Holidays

For many Americans, the holiday season is an opportunity to reunite with one another and make merry. Yet, for gay military personnel the holidays often bring with them heightened awareness of the costs they pay serving under "Don't Ask, Don't Tell." In a recent article, reporter Jennifer Vanasco interviews current and former gay service members and examines the extraordinary precautions, and cruel limitations, that patriotic gay Americans must endure in order to serve their country. "The holidays bring up memories, expectations," says therapist Trey Malicoat. "There are more parties, more activities, there's a financial drain. For gay soldiers, there's the added burden of not being able to talk about home, about where he or she would like to be, about the person who has the most significance in his or her life." These issues are not limited to personnel serving abroad. Elizabeth, an Army officer who last year married her partner in Massachusetts, tells Vanasco about the constraints she has experienced while stationed stateside. "At lunch, people are talking about what presents they're going to buy their wife or girlfriend – I'm part of the group but I can't be part of the discussion," says Elizabeth. "It's very difficult to abide by the policy and not talk about what's really going on in your life and at the same time try to connect with your fellow service members." Problems can be even more acute for service members stationed abroad. Retired Naval Cheif, Lee Quillian relates an experience she had while serving on a ship in the Middle East during the holidays. "All the other sailors were going to a special room to film video messages to their sweethearts. But not Quillian. She didn't record a message. She couldn't. Because her partner is a woman," writes Vanasco. Service members are not the only ones affected by the policy, families and loved ones back home also suffer. As this article shows, heterosexual families receive many benefits which are unavailable to same-sex families because of the ban on open service. "The military has an excellent support system for family members left behind that includes counseling, a newsletter updating families on unit activities, and support groups and networks. But gay partners of service members can't take advantage of any of that. If they do, they risk outing their partner – who under the policy will then lose their job," writes Vanasco. SLDN has long been a leader in advocating for the rights of same-sex military families and recently contributed an article on this emerging area of the law to the Duke Journal of Gender Law and Policy. In the article, SLDN highlights the stories of three service members and their families, drawing attention to the issues same-sex families face because of “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell.” So, as many of us gather with our families this holiday season, let us remember that the costs of "Don't Ask, Don't Tell" go far beyond dollars spent and troops deployed. This season, let us tally the price of this law in the millions of small happinesses that we continue to deny those who are fighting for our country, simply because of who they are. Happy Holidays. -Victor Maldonado -----

12-19-07 Comment (0)

Elaine Donnelly Pleads “Not Entirely Ignorant”

Yes, friends, it's time to check in with our favorite hair & nail salon buddy, Elaine Donnelly of the Center for Military Readiness. Elaine has been a busy girl, what with trying to make sense of Sunday's 60 Minutes story and trying to find a presidential candidate far enough out of step with reality that she can throw her support behind them. First, Elaine was thoroughly confused by the premise behind Sunday's 60 Minutes report, from Lesley Stahl, about the increasing number of gays serving openly and the public outrage at the continued dismissal of gay personnel. Our girl in Michigan just could not wrap her mind around the idea that, while some commanders are appreciating the service of their gay troops, the continued dismissal of 2 service members each day is still unacceptable. Time to wake up, Elaine: In today's military, when recruitment and retention is struggling, at best, to keep up with the needs of the forces, losing even one qualified service member like Sergeant Darren Manzella is outrageous; losing more than 600 in a year is beyond counter-productive to our national security. But Ms. Donnelly, bless her heart, just doesn't get it. Instead, she attacks CBS News, calling Sunday's story "sensational" and "a conspiracy theory that reflected negatively on the military as a whole." The military, Elaine thinks, would look far better if they'd just go ahead and fire all the women and gays. I imagine she'd like the former at home, barefoot and pregnant, and the latter spending their time choosing her hair color. But I digress. Elaine has other problems, too. She's having trouble finding a presidential contender far enough to the right to get behind. Writing on a right-wing blog today, Elaine bemoans the fact that so many of the presidential contenders won't commit to returning to a policy of "asking" about sexual orientation in the armed forces. Mike Huckabee, she notes, said earlier this year that (gasp!) "I’m not sure that being homosexual should automatically disqualify a person from the military. If a person can do his or her job, you know that’s not for me the biggest issue." Scratch him off her Christmas card list. When he briefly challenged Hillary Clinton for the Senate in 1999, Giuliani "agreed with her support for professed homosexuals in the military," and Romney actually "secured the endorsement of the pro-gay Massachusetts Log Cabin Republicans by signing a letter supporting 'gays and lesbians being able to serve openly and honestly in our nation's military.'" And McCain, she says, had the audacity to call the law "Don't Ask, Don't Tell." Ron Paul would only tell CMR that the current law is "adequate for the time-being." Only Fred Thompson (who, Elaine writes, "endorses the proper purpose of the military") and that good ol' stand-by, Duncan Hunter, seem to have a shot at winning Elaine's heart. Duncan, she gushes like a school girl, "has shown consistent leadership on military social issues. In 1993 he supported 'the question' about homosexuality that used to be on induction forms." Elaine loves that "question" almost as much as she must love Chanel No. 5. But not everybody has as much love for Elaine as I. "None of the Democratic candidates responded to CMR Presidential Survey questions," she says, "but we are not entirely ignorant of their positions." That's because each of the Democratic candidates, of course, support open service. And that sends poor Elaine's well-coiffed head spinning 'round and 'round. It all makes me want to paraphrase those credit card commercials we hear so often this time of year: Sacrificing Readiness in the Name of Ignorant Prejudice: $363.8 million Watching the Prejudiced Try to Plead (Not Entirely) Ignorant: Priceless. - Steve Ralls

Labels: Darren Manzella, elaine donnelly, in the news, SLDN on 60 Minutes

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12-18-07 Comment (0)

Brian Talks About 60 Minutes

I was excited to have the opportunity to speak out against “Don't Ask Don't Tell” on 60 Minutes. The actual interview lasted about an hour and, while we covered a broad range of topics, Lesley Stahl seemed to steer the conversation towards a discussion on the effects of the policy in our lives and of the lives of those around us. While this was an amazing opportunity to talk about the changing attitudes in the military towards gay service members. We four service members were addressing the issue from a front line perspective. Just imagine, though, what it might have been like had we been able to converse directly with the obtuse politician and Army Major about their positions on the archaic status quo! There are empty ranks in critical skill sets, linguists that help prevent engagements with the enemy and medics that save lives when we do. 12,000 men and women have been discharged since the inception of the policy. Change is on the horizon and that makes people uncomfortable. We like to stay in our comfort zone and unfortunately the fear of change is affecting our nation's military readiness. - Brian Fricke

Labels: SLDN on 60 Minutes

12-17-07 Comment (1)

60 Minutes @ Duplex

Sunday, SLDN invited supporters out to DC's Duplex Diner for a special viewing of last night's 60 Minutes which featured Army Sergeant Darren Manzella and SLDN Board Member Cholene Epsinoza. The staff have been working for the better part of the year on the 60 Minutes piece and in bringing a much needed spotlight to an antiquated issue. Pictured above is the scene where more than 100 people crowded D.C.'s Duplex Diner to watch the long-awaited 60 Minutes segment. With a fair share of boo's and hoorah's, the crowd was overwhelming pleased at the newest attack against the discriminatory law and its repeal efforts. With each and every step we take, we get closer and closer to the day when lesbian, gay, and bisexual service members will no longer serve with the fear of loosing their jobs because of who there are.

Labels: SLDN on 60 Minutes

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12-17-07 Comment (0)

Talking with Darren: Part of the SLDN Family

Last night, after watching Lesley Stahl's report on 60 Minutes with Army Sergeant Darren Manzella (pictured), I sent an email to Darren, letting him know how proud we all are of him, and asking if he had any thoughts to share with SLDN's supporters. From Washington to Kuwait and back again, here's an exclusive SLDN conversation with Darren. Q: What motivated you to come out on 60 Minutes? A: I saw a chance that so few individuals have the opportunity to participate in. I saw a chance to get on national television and just tell my story and try to relay to millions of Americans how hurtful the "Don't Ask, Don't Tell" policy is to this country's military. It was an opportunity to notify the country that I am open about my homosexuality to my command and colleagues and that the Army has not fallen apart due to my confession. Q: After notifying your command and colleagues of the story, what has been their reaction? A: I have not recieved any notification, positive or negative, from my command since I notified them of my participation in the story or since the broadcasting of the segment. Q: As someone serving on the frontlines, what do you hear from other troops about “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell?” What do you think is the future of the law? A: I have served with many men and women in Iraq, Kuwait and throughout the United States. In my opinion, they do not care if a service member is gay or straight. These men and women are my brothers and sisters in arms and I am the same to them. I know that what matters to most is not the sexual orientation of the person in your unit. What matters most is if that person is a good worker, a team player and most importantly, if that person has your back when it rewally matters whether it be in a combat zone, during a training exercise or day to day operations. I think that a majority of troops are in favor, or at the very least indifferent, to the repeal of this policy. I find that many are surprised that so much power and influence over the fate of this policy lies in the hands of individuals who are not even in the ranks of the military. Q: What do you want SLDN supporters to know about your experience, the 60 Minutes story and the campaign to repeal this law? A: I would like the supporters of SLDN to know that when I first came out to my command I felt alone. Like I was an individual that did something wrong. Now I feel like part of family and I know that this family will always be supportive and protective of me. I feel pride as well. I am so proud to be a part of something that may soon bring down a policy that forces individuals to remain silent and not publicly confess who they truly are. I am so blessed to have the staff at SLDN work with me and assist me. They have been my backbone in every phase that I have gone through, from my coming out to my command to my notifying them of the 60 Minutes episode broadcast. To have people be so devoted to helping you give a voice to thousands of gay and lesbian service members is a feeling that I never thought I would experience. You can send Darren a message of support, via SLDN, by emailing him at .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address). - Steve Ralls

Labels: Darren Manzella, sldn clients, SLDN on 60 Minutes

12-17-07 Comment (9)

60 in 6:  The Campaign for Repeal

I hope you tuned in last night to see Army Sergeant Darren Manzella, and other brave gay patriots who have served in our armed forces, talk to 60 Minutes about life under “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell” and the fight to repeal this un-fair and un-American law. All of us at SLDN are inspired by the courage of these service members and veterans, and we are more committed than ever to winning the battle for fairness in our military. Now, we need you to join Darren and SLDN to get rid of the ban on gay troops. You can become an important part of our efforts by joining our 60 in 6 campaign. Over the next 6 days, we want to raise enough funds to help 60 more service members like Darren. We will put your tax-deductible gift to immediate use by providing free legal services to our troops and lobbying Congress to repeal this law. SLDN never charges for our services, and we never turn away a service member impacted by “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell.” Providing that critical lifeline, however, can cost up to $10,000 per client. Add to that the support we need to make our lobbying, grassroots and communications efforts a success, and you’ll understand why we need your help to win this historic victory. With allies from across the country, we are making progress. If you were moved by Darren’s story, and as inspired by his courage, as we were, please consider a gift of $60, $600 or even $6000 in support of SLDN’s work. Your gift will help ensure we make repeal a reality. Every day, SLDN is proud to stand up for men and women like Darren and work to end “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell.” Join Us. - Aubrey Sarvis

Labels: aubrey sarvis, SLDN on 60 Minutes

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12-17-07 Comment (0)