Frontlines: The Latest from OutServe-SLDN

Testifying in New York:  Part I

Below are remarks delivered by SLDN client Brian Fricke at Friday's New York City Council hearing on a resolution calling on Congress to repeal 'Don't Ask, Don't Tell.' Thank you for taking the issue of discrimination in our military as a serious civil rights matter. The most immediate effects are on those who serve under "Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell" while the ripple effect reaches all American citizens, gay, straight or otherwise. We are an aggregated nation from all walks of life; all religions, all cultural backgrounds, occupations, colors, sexual orientations, marital statuses, gender, age and IQ. Fundamentally we are all Americans. If there is a better place to see the cross section of the conglomerate of people besides in New York City, it is in the U.S. military. I served my country in the U.S. Marines from July of 2000 to July of 2005. I was deployed to Japan for twelve months and to Iraq for nine months. As my service began I knew there was an additional burden required of me than of any of my straight counterparts; I had to pretend to be something that I am not. I agreed to this "deal." I was given the privilege to serve my country, to become one of the Few and Proud, a Marine. At the same time I was taught Honor, Courage and Commitment were the ethos of our Corps. Such an ironic life, being gay in the military. Here we are willing to die for strangers, for our nation – honorable - as long as no one knows who we really are. I cannot count the times when on R&R, off duty, (although a Marine 24hrs a day) that I could not let down my guard about what I said or even who I was seen in public with. I constantly looked over my shoulder, waiting for the Military Police, or another Marine to "catch" me out in public places with my boyfriend. I could never really rest. I had to guard my cell phone and personal computer as though I was a spy and that evidence of my relationship was a crime that of treason. We gay veterans love our country enough to bare that additional stress. We serve and defend our constitution because we BELIEVE that all men are equal and life isn’t just about us as individuals. Meanwhile, unit commanders want us troops to bond and become a band of brothers. "Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell" prevents me and the estimated 60,000 active duty gay troops from assimilating as fully as we might otherwise, into our units. How can I console a comrade about his relationship troubles, when I cannot disclose I have a partner and share similar experiences? I have to lie. I have to say she instead of he; or say nothing at all. When I have my own troubles or during Iraqi deployments, I cannot take comfort in group talks- because I have to tip toe around the issue like a spy- because I am gay. There were many times we received mortar attacks, and the first thing I was doing was making sure none of my letters home to my partner would be discovered. I had to lie about who sent me packages and letters. Upon my return from war, amidst the "Welcome Home" banners, my fellow troops ran and greeted their mom's and dad's, husbands and wives; old friends and new babies. I had to take a cab home because my partner Brad couldn't meet me there on the tarmac. It was a slap in the face despite all of my dedication. My medals and awards meant nothing to me without equality. Statistics will show that more than 12,000 men and women have been discharged under this policy; careers taken away. Statistics cannot show how many left the armed services (gay and straight) on their own free will because they didn’t want to work for a hypocritical employer. Statistics cannot show how many tears were shed, relationships ruined, families broken apart and even future jobs lost; after a person has "Homosexual" on official discharge records and is outed to the world when they may not have been ready for that private step in their life. I was out about my sexual orientation to many of those I served with, although never my higher command. I never had any negative feedback and relationships improved at work because of it. I served with honor and received several medals for going above and beyond. There are medics and linguists, pilots and technicians and other critical job skills that leave or are kicked out for being gay. This is a civil rights issue at its core. The civil rights movement began an era that we are still living in today. The freest nation on earth doesn’t allow gays to defend her flag. Criminals and under educated persons, retirees and disabled personnel are all being allowed to join in order to boost recruiting numbers, while fully qualified and willing persons are scorned at. Our nation’s military readiness and honorable character is in a corrosive state, we must demand change. The Military Readiness Enhancement Act (H.R. 1246) will not only right the wrong that is being done to honorable and good people. It will also pave the way for other civil rights issues. It is not OK to discriminate against Gay people; as long as we are federally discriminated against, a clear message of hate is broadcast to the world. This is a Hoover Dam of an issue and it stifles the peaceful flow of our nation’s people’s right to the pursuit of happiness. It is no doubt unconstitutional. Please support Resolution 1170-A with as much dedication as we have to our nation’s freedom. - Brian Fricke

Labels: brian fricke, resolutions, sldn clients

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01-26-08