Frontlines: The Latest from OutServe-SLDN

Armed Forces Day

For those of you who, like me, wonder how this holiday came about - I did a little research. In August 1949, then Secretary of Defense Louis Johnson announced the creation of “a day of celebration to honor the combined efforts of every military branch.” Since then, the third Saturday of May has been recognized as Armed Forces Day in the United States.

Granted it might get overshadowed a bit on the calendar by Memorial Day, but I’m disappointed in the lack of recognition for the day. Having served 22 years in the Navy on active duty and the reserves, I personally believe EVERY day should be Armed Forces Day. For me, there’s no such thing as over-recognizing the dedication, commitment, sacrifice and duty of our men and women in uniform, particularly during this time in our nation’s history.

I think there should be special recognition for our 65,000 GLBT servicemembers who carry the additional burden of serving in silence everyday. Let’s acknowledge these courageous men and women, many serving overseas and facing danger every day, unable to express themselves openly in emails or letters to loved ones for fear of being discovered. I remember the drill from when I served onboard ship – unsigned letters, no return addresses, gender neutral language, nothing too specific. I joined the military because I was drawn to service, to the integrity and honor that it represented to me. To have to be covert in communications to a loved one, a part of your support system, for fear of possible discharge – to me that just contradicts what the military stands for.

So today, instead of articles on Armed Forces Day, the Chronicle has four articles on Thursday’s California State Supreme Court ruling striking down the state’s ban on same sex marriage. When I first saw the news announcement, I jumped out of my chair at work and announced it to anyone within hearing distance. Many people smiled, said that’s great, offered congratulations and then went back to work. I wanted to shake each one of them and say “Don’t you know how important and unexpected this is?? How can you just return to business as usual????"

I found it difficult to focus the rest of the work day. I kept going for 10 minute walks around the building, calling friends on my cell phone, trying to stay cool in the unusual 100-degree heat. At the end of the day, my partner Pam and I drove into San Francisco to celebrate. People were walking up and down Market Street draped in Gay Pride and State of California flags, cars were honking, strangers were hugging. Castro Street closed down, a DJ was brought in, and the place became a large celebratory block party.

I stood there, overflowing with joy for the victory, for the ramifications of the decision, for the historical significance of the day. And for the freedom to celebrate openly in the streets with others.

Then came a bittersweet moment when I thought of those 65,000 GLBT servicemembers, and in particular my friend who is currently serving in Baghdad. What must the experience be like to read the news, and NOT be able to announce it to co-workers, and have to celebrate silently? What must it be like to proudly know your military service protects and defends this great democracy that enables decisions like this to happen? And finally, what must it be like to know you can’t take advantage of it? Because even though the ruling stated the California Constitution "properly must be interpreted to guarantee this basic civil right to all Californians, whether gay or heterosexual ", it does not mention the fact Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell still prohibits servicemembers from marrying someone of the same sex. So a victory for some, but not for all. And I’m struck by the regrettable irony that those who serve to protect and defend the U.S. Constitution still are excluded from all its protections.

One ban has been lifted, here in California, at least for now. Another one remains – Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell. I remain 100% committed to SLDN and our mission to assist military personnel affected by Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell, and will keep fighting until it is repealed. And I look forward to the celebration and dancing in the streets that will take place when that day comes!

CDR Zoe Dunning, SC, USNR (Ret.

05-17-08