Tell National Leaders to Keep Their Word, Repeal DADT
Recently I flew down to hot and steamy Miami and visited the students on the sun-drenched campus of University of Miami Law School. I was invited to speak to students about "Don't Ask, Don't Tell," the impact the law has on service members and the current state of litigation and repeal efforts. Board member and former Marine Brian Fricke joined me in the discussion and relayed his experiences serving under DADT. He talked about his decision to not re-enlist after spending time in the Middle East and realizing that, if something happened to him, his partner back home would be the last to know. Brian completed his enlistment but decided not to re-up. He now works tirelessly to educate people on the widespread impact of the law and the need for repeal.
Students at U of Miami were inquisitive, outraged and motivated to help repeal efforts. I told them what I tell everyone else who wants to see an end to this discriminatory law - Write all your members of Congress. Tell President Obama to keep his word. Educate your communities! The more people who hear stories like Brian's and who hold our leaders accountable - the quicker we'll see an end to DADT.
And on a side note - I learned that the infamous Fred Phelps (yes THE Fred Phelps - the one who protests at military funerals) will be protesting Miami's law school graduation. Apparently the school is SUPER-gay friendly. Go Miami!
04-24-09 By Emily B. Hecht, SLDN Legal Department Co-Director |
1 Comments
Comments for this entry are closed.Leland Frances on April 25, 2009 at 04.50 pm
Great to hear, but what does the story next to this one…“First Lady Attends OPM Ceremony, Praises Civil Servants”... have to do with “SLDN News”?
The closest that the First Lady has come to anything SLDN related was missing the opportunity when discussing her goal of improving the lives of “military families” to point out that there are many gay servicemembers who can’t even list their significant others on vital military personnel documents.
Of course, she didn’t because, as lovely and intelligent and caring of others as she is, Mrs. Obama is married to Commander in Chief Obama who has shelved his promise to stop demanding that gay servicemembers remain invisible men…and women.
Perhaps, rather than sending roses to the First Lady for something that has nothing to do with SLDN’s mission, you should send her the video of SLDN Military Advisory Council member Navy Capt. Joan Darrah testifying about the emotional costs of the effects of DADT upon America’s loyal gay servicemembers…and THEIR families.