New Amendments Threaten LGBT Equality in the Military
This morning, two new amendments were added to the House Defense Appropriations bill for 2012, both of which strike against LGBT equality in the military. Despite the continued success of “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell” (DADT) repeal training and the march toward open service, some in Congress refuse to cease their attack on LGBT service members.
These amendments come on the heels of another proposal introduced recently by Rep. Dan Burton (R-IN), which would bar federal funding for marriages or civil unions that do not comply with the Defense of Marriage Act (DOMA). The amendment even goes further to prohibit the use of military installations and Department of Defense land for such ceremonies. Not only does this proposal affect legal same-sex marriages by referencing DOMA, but it actually expands discrimination to civil unions, dealing a tough blow to LGBT couples.
Today’s new amendments are from Rep. Burton and Rep. Virginia Foxx (R-NC). Rep. Foxx’s amendment would prohibit federal funding from being used in contravention of DOMA, needlessly restating this ban that already exists. And Rep. Burton’s newest amendment bans federal funding for DADT repeal training for service members in combat. This limitation disregards the unique needs of each service to carry out training in its own way and ignores the success that is already taking place regarding training in combat.
From the field in Afghanistan, for example, Command Sergeant Major Marvin Hill (Senior Enlisted Leader of the International Security Assistance Force and U.S. Forces in Afghanistan) told reporters in February that training would happen “right here on the battlefield” and that he expected “little impact” on their operations. Furthermore, Burton’s proposed funding limitation will be largely irrelevant by the time this appropriations bill takes hold in 2012, when troops are trained in more regular fashion regarding repeal.
SLDN and our allies co-signed a letter to the House Appropriations Committee this morning opposing these kinds of distractions, and we continue to work alongside our House allies to fight mischief as it arises. You can make a difference too.
If you live in Rep. Burton or Rep. Foxx’s districts, call these members and tell them that they are standing in the way of progress and equality for all in the military.
Rep. Burton: (202) 225-2276
Rep. Foxx: (202) 225-2071
With your help, SLDN will keep fighting back for our service members.
07-06-11 By Emily Tisch Sussman, SLDN Legislative Co-Director |
11 Comments
Comments for this entry are closed.Nikki A. on July 12, 2011 at 08.31 am
Noun 1. right to the pursuit of happiness - the right to try to find happiness
human right - (law) any basic right or freedom to which all human beings are entitled and in whose exercise a government may NOT interfere (including rights to life and liberty as well as freedom of thought and expression and equality before the law. GIVE THEM THEIR RIGHTS!
As a wife of a U.S Military Vet and mother of a gay son and brother I am proud to say, I AM CANADIAN!
To all the gay military men and women out there I’d like to say, don’t ever give up, we’re with you all the way!
AJNorth in Potsdam, NY on July 08, 2011 at 12.18 am
Let’s see, Dan Burton is the fine upstanding “moral” “gentleman” who referred to President Clinton as a “scumbag” over the Monica Lewinsky incident - while he himself had fathered a child out of wedlock. Oh, but he’s a good “Christian” who, in this particular instance, was engaged in a heterosexual affair - so it’s all good. Uh huh. (Read more about it at http://www.salon.com/news/1998/12/cov_22newsa.html)
cameron stewart in Redding CA. 96033 on July 07, 2011 at 02.04 pm
Bullshit and more and more bullshit! Begin a law suit NOW against the federal Government for Fraud Waste and Abuse of Military Resources!!!! NOW!!!!
TJ in USA on July 07, 2011 at 09.29 am
Now if this is over. And as it was a violation of the constituation to discharge people becasue of LGBT lifestyle i was wondering if there would be any attempt to bring a suit for those violation of the law.
Elle Jordan on July 07, 2011 at 04.27 am
I took note that these were republicans in the House. The is absurd. DADT was a disgraceful law in the first place.
Although I don’t live in either of those states, I will get out the word on what is taking place.
fairytale on July 07, 2011 at 01.19 am
terrible
David Barret in Doha, Qatar on July 06, 2011 at 11.42 pm
@ Corey: So we fight discrimination and intolerance with more discrimination and intolerance?
Repeal is going to happen, just a matter of days now, not weeks. There will be some who will always be opposed to repeal, their efforts are moot now. These are just gestures to their specific political base to show that they still “care.” It is simply political posturing. Instead of pining for gruesome torture and murder spectacles, aka the “lion pits,” (although I think the coliseum would have sufficed) lets engage in the political process and work at electing officials who are more representative of their constituencies.
Lucky Lane in Knoxville, TN on July 06, 2011 at 08.56 pm
This is so uncalled for, I just went a few weeks ago and try to re-enlist to server our country once again. Why should it be so hard to want to server our country. I can carry a weapon and march into a home just as I once did in Iraq. Just because I am gay and want to show my love for one person that I love. Why should it matter what I do at home as long as I am not doing drugs or hurting someone else. I thought that I was serving our country so we all could be free and be happy. It sounds like it was only for the ones that think the bible runs this country. I am sorry, but you need to think “The right to freedom of speech and the pursuit of happens.” I guess that does not matter in this case at all.
Kay in Ohio on July 06, 2011 at 08.45 pm
I don’t believe it!! This is terrible!
Lets work harder. I’m so aggrivated.
Corey Mondello in Boston, MA on July 06, 2011 at 06.29 pm
Foxx believes the earth is 6,000 yrs old….too many theocratic folks in congress. I support bringing back the lion pits.
NetAmigo on July 06, 2011 at 02.55 pm
They better hurry because the stay has just been lifted by the 9th circuit.