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Congressional Candidate Lends Support

Retired Navy Commander and Congressional Candidate, Eric Massa is doing just the opposite of most candidates and asking for the peoples support. Not in his campaign but in an issue that he feels strongly enough about to publish it on his home page and on the Daily Kos this weekend. Eric Massa is asking for the people to support H.R. 1246, the Military Readiness Enhancement Act, a bill introduced to congress that would do away with Don't Ask, Don't Tell and create a policy of non-discrimination based on sexual orientation. Mr. Massa wrote a 5-point essay on the reasons why the current policy does not work, negatively affects the military, and the next steps in the repeal process. Click over to Eric Massa's website and see why more and more people are pushing for repeal. - Jason Knight

Labels: 2008, Congress, other blogs

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08-21-07 Comment (0)

Running Out of Troops

The Associated Press is reporting today that the U.S. military is, quite literally, running out of troops. From the AP synopsis posted at Raw Story: "The Army's 38 available combat units are deployed, just returning home or already tapped to go to Iraq, Afghanistan or elsewhere, leaving no fresh troops to replace five extra brigades that President Bush sent to Baghdad this year," Lolita C. Baldor reports for AP, based on interviews and military documents. Without enough troops to sustain current troop levels, the Pentagon will face some painful decisions if President Bush argues for a continuation of the surge. It can accelerate deployments of National Guard units, break the military's pledge to keep soldiers in Iraq for 15 months or less or reverse its commitment to give troops a year at home with their families before returning them to a war zone. "For a war-fatigued nation and a Congress bent on bringing troops home, none of those is desirable," the AP reports. And neither, apparently, is welcoming gay Americans who want to serve. Nowhere in the AP article is there any mention of military commanders considering a call to Congress in support of repealing "Don't Ask, Don't Tell." Statistician Gary Gates estimates that more than 40,000 lesbian and gay Americans would sign up for duty if the ban were lifted. And countless others, who quietly leave each year as their service ends rather than serve under the law, may be compelled to stay in a military that officially welcomes them. Senator Barack Obama decried the news from AP, telling reporters that "We know our troops will always answer the call to service, but we must issue that call responsibly. We need predictable rotations, we need to deploy troops at an appropriate state of readiness, and we must only send them to battle if we define their mission and define success." Senator Obama has expressed strong support for ending "Don't Ask, Don't Tell," too, which could go a long way in addressing some of the problems reported by AP today. - Steve Ralls

Labels: in the news, recruiting, williams institute

08-20-07 Comment (1)

Responding in the Times

Today's Washington Times includes a response to last week's "Don't Ask, Don't Tell" op-ed (by Major Daniel Davis) from two SLDN advisory board members: Retired Colonel Stewart Bornhoft (pictured) and Retired Colonel Andy Leonard. Bornhoft and Leonard question Davis's analysis of a recent Zogby poll about lesbian and gay troops and point out that, indeed, gay Americans are already serving in the armed forces without incident. "Maj. Davis puts a lot of emphasis on the fact that 37 percent of the combat and combat support troops did not favor allowing homosexuals to serve openly, compared to 26 percent who did (with 32 percent being neutral and 5 percent unsure)," they write. "Yet . . . when these numbers are analyzed with respect to the personal knowledge of the existence of homosexual troops in their own unit, there is a significant shift in opinion toward allowing homosexuals to serve openly (unpublished data supplied by the Zogby poll analysts)." "The bottom line is simply this: many homosexual troops are already serving openly in both combat and combat support operations," the Colonels say. "This fact is known by many of their peers. Nearly three-quarters of combat and combat support troops say they are comfortable working with homosexuals and lesbians. Unit cohesion and combat readiness in our military is the best in the republic's history, clearly not diminished by the known presence of homosexual troops. It's time for military leaders to call for an end to the outdated law that prevents capable patriotic Americans from honestly serving their country or, worse, forces the military to discharge much-needed highly trained and experienced personnel. It's long past time to repeal 'Don't Ask, Don't Tell.'" You can read the entire response to Major Davis at the Times website, online here. - Steve Ralls

Labels: in the news

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08-20-07 Comment (0)

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 Ralls

Labels: in the news

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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 Knight

Labels: CNN, reactions, veterans

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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 Ralls

Labels: elaine donnelly, in the news

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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

Labels: funeral, veterans

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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 Maldonado

Labels: community events, events, HRC, new hampshire

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08-15-07 Comment (0)