Frontlines: The Latest from OutServe-SLDN

Details on the Ban

The October issue of Details Magazine includes a fantastic article by reporter Melba Newsome about "Don't Ask, Don't Tell" and changing attitudes about LGBT service members inside the military. The Military's New Gay Games features interviews with SLDN's Jason Knight, as well as with SLDN clients Brian Fricke & Austin Rooke and SLDN board member Chris Hammet. "After 15 years, 'Don't Ask, Don't Tell' has never been so ineffective - or so controversial," Newsome writes. "Some hail the law as a safeguard against unit polarization; others condemn it as an ineffective policy of dubious purpose, enforced virtually at random. High-ranking officials - including General John Shalikashvili, who was chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff when the law was implemented - are increasingly calling for its repeal. Meanwhile, like-minded officers are finding themselves having to violate the law." Newsome's article takes an especially close look at the experiences of Fricke, Knight and Rooke . . . all of whom served openly durinig their time in the military. "This is an old policy promoted by an old generation," Fricke tells her. "A wise commander knows that every troop is valuable to the mission, and he is not going to blindly enforce a policy of discrimination." And Knight, who now serves as SLDN's communications associate, tells Details that he misses the Navy, but has found a new way to be of service. "I get to be the voice for the 65,000 gays and lesbians in the military who can't speak out," he said. The October issue of Details is on newsstands now. - Steve Ralls

Labels: in the news

09-07-07