USA Today on Recruiting & the Gay Ban

This morning's USA Today again calls for an end to the military's gay ban. As part of a proposal to increase recruitment, the editorial board weighs in with the suggestion to repeal "Don't Ask, Don't Tell" and recruit among eligible gay Americans.

This is the second recent editorial by USA Today calling for an end to the ban.

We encourage SLDN supporters to email letters to the editor at editor@usatoday.com applauding the paper for its continued support of efforts to repeal "Don't Ask, Don't Tell." Remember to keep your letter short, to the point, and to include your full name, email address, mailing address and phone number.

If your letter is published, email us at press@sldn.org and we'll send you a free SLDN t-shirt!

-Steve Ralls

President Bush Asks Americans to Join Military

Last night, in an address from Fort Bragg, North Carolina, President Bush addressed the military’s recruiting crisis during the current war on terrorism. “…(T)o those watching tonight who are considering a military career, there is no higher calling than service in our armed forces," the President exhorted.

We agree. Yet, we respectfully urge the President to include all Americans in his call to service. It is time for the president to call for an end to “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell.” That will encourage gay Americans who are currently serving in Iraq and Afghanistan to know that their Commander-in-Chief stands behind them. And it will encourage young lesbian, gay and bisexual Americans who are contemplating what they can do for our country that there is a place for them in our armed forces.

The Vice President has called the military's ban a "a bit of an old chestnut," and Army and Marine Corps representatives have said that their services are open to Congress revisiting the policy.

Recruitment is down -- way down. Most scholars believe that the situation will get worse, not better, unless Congress adopts new policies to encourage the highest level of recruitment possible. Getting rid of “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell” will open up new doors. The time to end “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell” is now.

Fly your flag proudly this Fourth of July, for yourself, for the 65,000 lesbians, gays and bisexuals serving our country today, and for the one million lesbian, gay and bisexual veterans who have served our country with distinction.

-C. Dixon Osburn

A Boston Party

The Ruby Room at the Onyx Hotel in Boston has agreed to host SLDN July 7 – the evening prior to our oral arguments in our federal court case, Cook vs. Rumsfeld.

I wanted people to get to meet one of our plaintiffs – and former clients – in the case, Megan Dresch. The clients have spoken at other events, and it is hard to not get emotional when they talk about what they have done for our country and how the military has treated them. The abuse we – members of the lgbt community – are subjected to is out there in the glbt press, and sometimes in the main stream press. But that coverage rarely references the treatment of active duty service members who are being fired on a daily basis if their sexual orientation becomes known. Nor, do the stories of real verbal and physical abuse in the military get published. I think that is why the plaintiff’s stories are so moving – we don’t hear about sanctioned, lawful abuse against use and those in our community very often.

I hope people in the Boston area will come out to meet Megan and members of SLDN’s staff.

July 7
6-8pm

The Ruby Room at the Onyx Hotel
155 Portland Street

-Kendra Brown

Attention Iraq War Vets!

Celine DeLeon, a writer with AlterNet online, wants to speak with gay Iraq war vets, 30 years old and younger, about their experiences at war.

If you'd like to talk with Celina, she can be reached at celvoz@earthlink.net.

And if you'd like to free, confidential legal counseling, or have questions about speaking with the media, you can contact SLDN's legal team at legal@sldn.org, or by phone at
(202) 328-FAIR.

-Steve Ralls

More Dispatches from Texas

As SLDN staff traversed throughout the country participating in various Pride festivals, our board and honorary board members did just the same. Dave Guy-Gainer, one of the newest members of SLDN’s Honorary Board, shared his experiences marching in Austin’s Pride Pparade a few weeks ago as a member of the San Antonio Chapter of American Veterans for Equal Rights (AVER):

Our first event of Pride Month was the Austin Pride Parade a few Saturdays ago. What a treat it was to again march up Congress Avenue facing the stoic Capitol building on the horizon atop the hill. I shan’t talk about how it made me personally happy to be “in your face” looking at that building considering all that went on inside it this past legislative session.

The San Antonio Chapter of AVER has a total of 11 flags that we can carry. There were only four of us who signed up for the parade. Yet, we took all of the flags anyway and we had the pre-parade DJ call for “veterans who would volunteer to help” to report to the head of the line. And they came and reported! One Army veteran said “I’m rugged, I’ll carry two of them.” We found enough “extra” volunteers to make quite a display in the front of the parade.

What’s incredible is that this is only the fourth year of a Pride parade in Austin. Yet, the sponsors are huge, the number of entries is growing, and the crowd stays excited.

The Parade’s theme this year was “Equal Rights No More No Less” – something to which we all at SLDN can especially relate!

-Rebecca Sawyer

Vote With Us!

We all need to vote on this poll NOW!! I just saw that a Baltimore TV station has a running poll on support for lifting the ban. They are running this poll because Maryland Congressman, Republican Wayne Gilchrest has been standing on the side of strengthening national security and supporting HR 1059. So we all need to go to this website and vote now!

-Christopher Neff

Texas to Rhode Island

SLDN is back from Texas and Rhode Island. Over the past two weeks I have been traveling between prides, fundraisers and grassroots meetings.

Just days after Governor Rick Perry told Texas gay veterans they might want to find a "more progressive state to move to," I was on the ground. Sarah Wentz, from our development department, and I attended delightful breakfast with SLDN supporters in Austin. We were joined by SLDN honorary board members Chaplain (Col.) Paul Dodd (Ret.) and CMSgt Dave Guy-Gainer (Ret.). Dave is also the Vice President of Chapter Development for American Veterans for Equal Rights. We were also joined by Randall Ellis, the Executive Director of Lesbian and Gay Rights Lobby of Texas; Jeff Lutes, a board member of SoulForce; former SLDN clients and a group of great veterans and supporters from Texas.

We went directly to the Pride festival where Sarah and I - along with five amazing volunteers - managed to get 795 petition signatures on our "Lift the Ban" petition, as well as talk to numerous active duty service members. By 8:30 Sarah and I were pretty tuckered out.

On Sunday we met for lunch with several Texas grassroots organizations to discuss Texas resolutions (similar to those in NY and CA) to repeal the ban and to strategize about what actions Texas residents can take to help with the current legislation in the U.S. Congress. Then we were off to San Antonio to speak at fundraiser hosted by SLDN board member Chris Hammett, where we spoke with several active duty folks and generous donors about recent events and the future of the ban. We got back home to D.C. on Monday night.

On Thursday morning, Karen Armagost and I departed for Rhode Island. This was our first trip into a very beautiful, friendly state to do outreach and grassroots organizing. Karen and I were welcomed with open arms in Providence. We met with a statewide organizer about future SLDN events in their area.

On Saturday we began Pride set-up and managed to obtain hundreds of petitions signed by Rhode Island supporters and local veterans. There was even a surprise cameo by the Mayor David Ciclilline where he welcomed us to Providence, signed the petition to lift the ban and vowed to continue his support to repeal the ban.

We would like to thank all of the wonderful SLDN volunteers, board members and local activists for being so gracious to our staff while we were in your communities.

-Stacy Vasquez

Gilchrest on Gays in the Military & DA, DT on the Big Screen

Republican Congressman Wayne Gilchrest (R-MD) continues to speak out about why he believes the military's ban should be lifted.

In yesterday's Washington Post, Gilchrest, a Vietnam War Veteran, talked about his own knowledge that gays and lesbians served during that conflict:

"You just didn't think about it in those days, but you knew there were people of that persuasion, and they served with great distinction," he said.

And in talking about the process that led to his support for the Military Readiness Enhancement Act, he told his hometown paper, the Delmarva Daily News, that "As the years and decades go by, you learn more and think more." As long as military personnel obey their code of conduct, he said, members both straight and gay can serve with distinction.

You can read both articles in our press room at www.sldn.org/press. Just click on "SLDN in the News."

___________

On Wednesday evening, I was in New York for a panel discussion on "Don't Ask, Don't Tell" and the premiere of a film trailer for Louise Hogarth's upcoming documentary of the same name.

New York's gay community center hosted the panel, which also included Catherine Gray, the film's co-producer, Greg Williams of Lot 47 Films (the film's distributor), former Coast Guardsman Jason Brittingham and Air Force Academy graduate Megan Kuzmich. (Jason and Megan are also former SLDN clients.)

The film, which is scheduled to premiere early next year, will take an in-depth look at the true costs of the military's ban, its impact on the lives of gay service members and the effort to repeal the law through Congress and the courts.

Louise, whose last film "The Gift" was a critical success on the film festival circuit and now plays regularly on the Sundance channel, aims to target an audience outside of the LGBT community. “Many Americans do not realize the extraordinary impact the military’s ban on gay personnel has on our national security and the very real impact it has on the frontlines. Straight Americans should be just as outraged as their gay neighbors that our military is undermined by simple prejudice. This film is meant to reach those Americans who may not fully grasp the detrimental effect of ‘Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell,'" she recently told the press.

You can visit the film's web site online at www.dolfilms.org.

-Steve Ralls

Be The Change You Want to See

SLDN Honorary Board Member BG Keith H. Kerr, CSMR (Ret.) sent us this message about his testimony on Tuesday in favor of a California state resolution calling for repeal of 'Don't Ask, Don't Tell.'

___________

Mahatma Gandhi, the great political, social and civil rights figure of the 20th Century, said:

“You must be the change you want to see in the world.”

This week, I had the chance to take Gandhi’s words to heart. If I want the opportunity for gay, lesbian, bisexual, and transgender people to serve openly in our armed forces, then I must be part of the change. I must tell lawmakers what change is needed and I must present myself as a dedicated and professional soldier, admittedly better than some, and not as good as others.

I went to Sacramento, our state capitol, to testify on behalf of Senate Joint Resolution 11 of the California legislature, sponsored by Senator Christine Kehoe, which calls on the Congress and the President to repeal the flawed policy of Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell.

The experience was both rewarding and stimulating. The Judiciary Committee passed the resolution to send it on to the Legislature. I also met the Senator, her staff, and other people who were there testifying on behalf of the resolution. I will know some of these people for the rest of my life.

If you want to repeal Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell, here are some thoughts:

1. Get acquainted with elected officials: local, state, and national.
2. Urge them to support legislation or measures designed to end DADT.
3. Offer to testify on behalf to the legislation.
4. Prepare remarks in advance.
5. Identify your position
6. Have a concise major idea to present if the committee shortens hearing time or seems anxious to move on.
7. Thank officials who support repeal.
8. Write a letter to the editor of your local newspaper
9. Look for opportunities to explain why Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell has failed.
10. Don’t argue with officials opposed to your position or threaten to vote for another candidate.

Let’s all be the change that we want to see in the world!

-Steve Ralls

Gov. Perry, Veterans and Military Shortfalls

We've received word this morning that Governor Perry has issued a statement welcoming all veterans to Texas . . . good news and a welcome clarification following his troubling remarks at Sunday's press conference in Fort Worth.

Last night, we received more news that shows just how much our country needs lesbian and gay veterans and service members. NBC News reported yesterday that the Army has AGAIN missed its recruitment goal.

According to NBC, the Army lowered its recruiting goal for May and STILL missed the mark by 25% . . . and if they hadn't lowered their goal? They would have missed it by 38%.

The NBC News report also follows a June 3 Wall Street Journal report regarding lowering not just goals - but standards - in the Army. The Journal reported that "some Army battalion commanders are less than pleased with the Army's decision to try to keep more problem soldiers in the service. 'It is the guys on weight control ... school no-shows, drug users, et cetera, who eat up my time and cause my hair to gray prematurely,' says one Army battalion commander. 'Often they have more than one of these issues simultaneously.'"

So to clarify: The Army is retaining drug users, those who can't pass physical fitness standards and even soldiers who don't show up for duty. All while firing qualified gay Americans like the 12 men and women in SLDN's lawsuit, all of whom are seeking reinstatement.

Surely the commander in the Journal report would welcome decorated gay veterans back to service. Perhaps military and Congressional leaders will take a cue from the growing chorus of veterans and active duty personnel who are advocating allowing gays to serve in ever larger numbers.

Like Governor Perry, they should come to realize that welcoming these brave men and women - rather than turning them away - is in every American's best interest.

-Steve Ralls

Calling All Veterans

SLDN received a note today from Steve Estes at Sonoma State University, regarding the Veterans History Project.

We're passing that along with the hope that LGBT veterans will sign up to participate in the project -- a great way to make a lasting record of LGBT service to our country.

Here is Steve's message:

In 2000, the Library of Congress launched the Veterans History Project
(VHP), one of the most ambitious volunteer oral history projects this
country has ever seen. To date, the VHP has collected more than 10,000
personal narratives of veterans who served from World War I to the Gulf
War. Advocacy groups such as the Human Rights Campaign and American
Veterans for Equal Rights saw potential in the VHP to document the
impressive military careers of gay and lesbian veterans, who have long
been denied official recognition in other forums.

Along with the other interviewers for this project, I recognize that
the silence about gays in the military has led to a collective amnesia
about the patriotic service and courageous sacrifices of homosexual
troops. If Americans forget that gay and lesbian citizens have served
their country, then the nation is much less likely to view gays and
lesbians as full citizens, deserving of civil rights and equal
protection of the law. Oral history provides one way to break this
silence, to “ask and tell” about the military careers of gay and
lesbian soldiers and to allow these veterans to speak for themselves
about the current military policy.

If you were in the military during a US conflict overseas and would like
to be interviewed for this project, contact someone in your local
chapter of American Veterans for Equal Rights or myself. Thanks for your
service to this country. Keep up the good fight.

Steve Estes
Assistant Professor of History
Sonoma State University
steve.estes@sonoma.edu

-Steve Ralls

Chicago Comes Out to Honor Gay Vets

I left my house in Georgetown this morning at 5am to catch an early morning flight to Chicago, for Mayor Daley's salute to LGBT veterans in Chicago. We've just wrapped up, and I'm now heading to the airport now to depart this afternoon for Houston.

Despite being a quick trip, the visit to the Windy City was an immensely rewarding one.

Chicago is the ONLY city in the country with an official celebration honoring the service of LGBT vetearns. And this morning, between 75 and 100 people showed up to honor their service -- a moving, public tribute to those who have served in silence, both before and during "Don't Ask, Don't Tell."

It was a bright, warm day in Chicago (really!) and we gathered at Daley Plaza at noon to begin what would turn out to be a beautiful, moving ceremony. The plaza, a large one with fountains, also contains an eternal flame, where this afternoon there was a somber wreath laying ceremony in remembrance of LGBT veterans.

I was honored to deliver the keynote address, followed by a performance from the Chicago Gay Men's Chorus. We also recognized Ed Zasadil, an openly gay World War II vet. And Rep. Jan Schakowsky (D-IL), one of the co-sponsors of the House bill to repeal the gay ban, sent a wonderful letter of support, saying in part that, regarding the gay ban, "It's not only a human rights issue, but a matter of national security. We must include very dedicated, patriotic American, regardless of sexual orientation." Her statement went on to say that "It's time to overturn 'Don't Ask, Don't Tell' once and for all."

The turn-out was moving evidence that, indeed, America DOES remember, and honor, her LGBT veterans. Among those who came out were a number of gay veterans from the War in Iraq. Of course, we can't publish their names here . . . another reminder of the silence the military's ban inflicts upon those who fight for freedom at home and abroad.

I want to thank everyone who showed up this afternoon, and especially recognize Bill Greaves, Mayor Daley's LGBT liaison, who coordinated the ceremony.

I was honored to be included, and to pay tribute to our LGBT veterans in Chicago and all across the country. Without their selfless dedication to freedom, our liberty would be less sure.

-C. Dixon Osburn

Gilchrest on the Record

In today's paper, Republican Congressman Wayne Gilchrest of Maryland tells Detroit News columnist Deb Price why he supports repealing "Don't Ask, Don't Tell."

Gilchrest, who supported the ban in 1993, is now a co-sponsor of the House bill to repeal that same law.

Echoing the sentiments of fellow Republican colleague Ileana Ros-Lehtinen, Gilchrest tells Deb that the law is "ludicrous," and that gay Americans "served honorably, died for their country, lost limbs for their country. We should give them dignity."

Gilchrest also tells Deb about his gay brother, who was recently married in Massachusetts. "Does that degrade my marriage?" he asks. "Not one iota. If you had asked me that 10 years ago, I would have had to think about it....They are two perfectly normal human beings who love each other, just like a man and a woman. I was very happy for them."

The impact of Gilchrest's support cannot be underestimated. Deb summarizes its significance in the conclusion to today's column: "A dozen years ago, advocates of allowing gay Americans to openly serve our country were outnumbered and outgunned. But with thoughtful Republicans enlisting in the fight to lift the ban, its days are surely numbered."

She couldn't be more right.

You can read the entire interview by clicking on "SLDN in the News" at www.sldn.org/press.

-Steve Ralls

Story Corps

Two weeks ago my spouse called and said – “You know that story we heard this morning on NPR? The one where the sons of the owner of Ben’s Chili Bowl in Washington, DC interviewed her -- and then excerpts were aired, and the entire recorded interview is now archived in the Library of Congress? Well, they have a spot open tomorrow and, if you agree to it, I want to interview you.”

My first question: Why me? There is nothing about me that is very exciting.

But, there really was.

Story Corps started a country-wide tour in Washington, DC. They were looking to record the stories of “everyday” people as an oral history of life in America.

After we completed the interview – inside a big silver MobileBooth trailer with a hip interior and rather comfortable and quiet recording studio – the moderator who had done the recording told is how important it was to have voices like ours participate in the project.

Our voices represented lesbian and transgender voices. It wasn’t until then that I was able to answer my own question: Why me? Because outside of my LGBT community, voices like mine, and my transgender partner, are not heard and seen as “everyday”.

Everyone HAS to do this. My own story, and the story of my family, amazed me. It amazed the moderator, and our friend that had come along to listen.

They are traveling all over the country to record stories. LGBT voices need to be heard. You can make a reservation to tell your own story – or interview someone whose story you think needs to be told.

This is the link: http://storycorps.net/participate/record_an_interview/locations/

-Kendra Brown

Oral Arguments Scheduled in SLDN's Lawsuit

We learned today that oral arguments in Cook v. Rumsfeld, SLDN's federal lawsuit challenging 'Don't Ask, Don't Tell,' will be held on Wednesday, July 6 in Boston. Arguments were originally scheduled for June 29, but that date has now been moved. The July 6 oral arguments, regarding the government's motion to dismiss the SLDN lawsuit, will take place at 2pm.We're confident we'll survive the motion to dismiss. And in yesterday's Bay Windows, our law and policy director, Sharra Greer, noted that SLDN's case will most likely be the 'Don't Ask, Don't Tell' case that reaches the U.S. Supreme Court. But, as someone once said, every great journey begins with a single step. Our first big step happens on July 6. We'll keep you updated here.

-Steve Ralls

SLDN Enters the Blogosphere!

With much help from the engineers at Mediapolis, SLDN is proud to announce the launch of our online blog!

Our goal is to make the SLDN blog an online forum for breaking news, updates on our work that may not always make headlines and, most importantly, a gathering place for all of you -- our supporters, clients, friends and veterans from across the country. The SLDN blog will, we hope, be a more intimate and personal account of our daily operations.

You can always email us your comments and ideas (which we'll post periodically here) to blog@sldn.org.

___________

This week, we hosted an incredible delegation from the gay and lesbian association of the Swedish Armed Forces: Leif Ohlson, Krister Fahlstedt and Ulrika Hansson. (There's been no official prohibition on openly gay service in Sweden since 1979).

Leif is Principal Administrative Officer working as a senior analyst at the Swedish Armed Forces Headquarters; Krister is a Captain in the department of Personnel at Headquarters; and Ulrika is a 1st Lieutenant in the Swedish Helicopter Wing. Their visit follows an April meeting SLDN had with Swedish Lieutenant Commander Lars Enander in San Francisco.

Sweden is not intending to follow America's example on 'Don't Ask, Don't Tell.' In fact, Sweden has had no ban on gays since 1979. In striking contrast, our friends expressed concern over how America's policy might harm the effectiveness of joint operations with allied troops who can serve openly.

We introduced the Swedish delegation to American service members on active duty and the reserves, LGBT veterans, a retired Master Chief Petty Officer of the Coast Guard, a retired Navy Captain and a former Assistant Secretary of the Navy. We also introduced them to margaritas, fried chicken and Ethiopian food. They also attended a wreath-laying at Arlington Cemetery where American Veterans for Equal Rights presented a color guard with other VSOs. President Bush and Secretary Rumsfeld were both in attendance as well.

Leif, Krister and Ulrika also spoke with reporters during their visit, and their interviews will be posted soon at www.sldn.org/press.

In the meantime, make plans to join SLDN on Monday in Boston or Chicago. I'll be in the windy city at 11am on Monday for a city salute to LGBT veterans, organized by Mayor Richard Daley. Chicago is the ONLY city to have an official LGBT veterans salute, and they're doing it on the D-Day anniversary. The Chicago Gay Mens Chorus will be there, as will Ed Zasadil, a WWII veteran. Come out to Richard J. Daley Plaza and help us salute the service of America's gay vets.

And at 7:30pm, Chris Neff, SLDN's policy advocate, will join Rep. Marty Meehan (D-MA) and SLDN client Shalanda Baker at the Boston Public Library for a town hall meeting on 'Don’t Ask, Don't Tell.' Rep. Meehan introduced legislation to repeal the ban in March, and so far 83 members of Congress -- including 4 Republicans -- have signed on as co-sponsors. Momentum is building . . .

Check back here on Monday for dispatches from Chicago. And remember to give us your thoughts on our new adventure in cyberspace by emailing blog@sldn.org

-C. Dixon Osburn