Frontlines: The Latest from OutServe-SLDN

SLDN client and former U.S. Army sergeant Pepe Johnson, recently appeared on Univision's Spanish language news program "Aqui y Ahora" (Here and Now), to discuss his 2003 discharge under "Don't Ask, Don't Tell." Unfortunately Pepe's story is not unique; however the fact that he has taken his story to Spanish speaking media is noteworthy. In a wide ranging, 10 minute interview, Johnson shared his story of how in 2001 he was honored by his commanding officers at Ft. Sill, OK with the Soldier of the Year Award, but was kicked out of the service less than two years later for being gay. Johnson's story is an important part of a larger piece on the history of "Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell" that includes footage of SLDN's 2007 Lobby Days rally and a heartwarming interview with Lois Alva, mother of wounded Iraq War Hero Eric Alva. By 2008 it is estimated that nearly 10,000,000 Hispanics will vote in the Presidential election, accounting for nearly 7% of all votes cast. Despite these significant numbers, it often seems that issues such as “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell” are not explained as fully or as often to Hispanics audiences. Appearances, like Johnson’s remind us all that “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell” is a civil rights issue and knows no linguistic or cultural boundaries, gay Latinos are just as likely to be kicked out of the service as their gay Asian, Anglo and African-American colleagues. Gay is gay and discrimination is discrimination….period. Pepe Johnson and Univision remind us all that “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell” is an equal opportunity discriminator that affects men and women of all classes and cultures. Victor Maldonado