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Unitarian Universalist Church “Buries” DADT

Even as we await certification and repeal, members of the SLDN team attended the Unitarian Universalist Church of Arlington’s unique Sunday celebration of legislation allowing for the repeal of “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell” (DADT). A spirited group of approximately 100 – many of them straight allies – experienced a lively “New Orleans-Style Jazz Funeral” and mock burial to mark the end of this discriminatory law.

SLDN Military Advisory Council (MAC) member CAPT Joan Darrah, former MAC member CAPT Mike Rankin, and local Navy veteran Julie Hawkins told their stories of life in the military under DADT, and the congregation added song and reflection to their voices. Several local elected officials, including openly gay Arlington County Board member Jay Fisette, were in attendance, as well as SLDN’s newest MAC member, CDR Jim Scheye.

After the “funeral,” attendees marched outside to a “burial” site alongside a large scroll where text of the law was printed. Thrown into the ground, the law was quickly covered by shovelfuls of dirt flung by members of the congregation. Accompanied by a jazz band playing “When the Saints Go Marching In,” attendees waved handkerchiefs and pumped colorful umbrellas in the air to celebrate. Finally, they signed large thank-you cards to Virginia’s senators and representatives who voted for repeal.

Though the celebration joyfully heralded the end of the law, speakers reiterated that the job is not yet done. With certification and a subsequent 60-day implementation period pending, service members are still at risk for discharge under the 17-year-old law.

Reverend Carlton Elliott Smith acknowledged this unfinished work and looked forward to even more festivity once repeal is finalized, noting, “We’ll go to those celebrations too!”

SLDN has valued its relationship with the national Unitarian Universalist Association (UUA) around DADT repeal, as the group pushed action alerts to their membership around last year’s votes. At the urging of CAPT Darrah, a long-time UU member, the UU General Assembly also approved a resolution calling for an end to DADT in 2007.

We thank the enthusiastic congregation in Arlington for welcoming SLDN to their church home yesterday, and for hosting one of the most unique repeal celebrations we have seen to date. The joy in the room was palpable, and we look forward to jumping into the next steps for repeal with equal energy.

04-04-11 By Elizabeth Shirey, SLDN Grassroots/Policy Advocate and Danny Hernandez, SLDN Development Assistant |