Virginia's Anti-Gay Amendment & The Military

We received a statement this morning from our friends at The Military Equality Alliance about the upcoming Virginia ballot question on same-sex couples:

"The Military Equality Alliance today called on the Judge Advocate Generals of four branches of the U.S. Armed Forces to review the likely effects of the Marshall-Newman Amendment (Ballot Question 1) on military deployments from Virginia.

Operating under military regulations, military judge advocates routinely encourage servicemembers deploying overseas to sign powers of attorney, custody agreements, and end-of-life directives.

By its terms, the Marshall-Newman Amendment would prevent Virginia courts from enforcing such agreements between unmarried couples. There are approximately 130,000 such couples in Virginia, including more than 115,000 opposite-sex couples. Approximately half of them are raising children, and many of these unmarried partners are in the military."

Military Equality Alliance Board Co-Chair Lara A. Ballard called on the Judge Advocate General of each service to “initiate an immediate, independent analysis of the likely effects of the Marshall-Newman amendment on the overseas deployment of military personnel stationed in Virginia.”

In her letters, Ballard added that “If the Marshall-Newman Amendment becomes law, fairness to deploying servicemembers and their families requires that unmarried partners and heads of household be given a chance to sign powers of attorney and similar documents in a state other than Virginia. Otherwise, servicemembers will be left wondering about the validity of the deployment documents they are asked to sign.”

Lara is right: Virginia service members have a right to know what consequence the Amendment will have on their ability to take care of their families while they fight for our nation.

For more information on the plight of partners left behind, check out this Los Angeles Times story, too.

- Steve Ralls

Another Date with Duncan Hunter?

Congressional Quarterly reports shocking news: "In a surprise move, House Armed Services Chairman Duncan Hunter, R-Calif., will announce today that he will begin laying the groundwork for a White House run in 2008."

For those of you who don't know, Hunter has been one of the chief roadblocks in Congress to getting "Don't Ask, Don't Tell" repealed. Hunter has steadfastly refused to allow even a hearing on the Military Readiness Enhancement Act, Congressman Meehan's bill to lift the ban. And, in my recent date with Duncan Hunter, he asserted that the men and women in the military do not want to serve with gays.

Well, not quite, as we recently learned in the New York Times, when Capt. Scott Stanford, a heterosexual National Guard commander of a headquarters company who returned from Iraq in June, said "Would you rather have a felon than a gay soldier? I wouldn't."

We don't know how far Hunter will get in his quest for the White House, but I , for one, am looking forward to seeing him on the campaign trail. Perhaps it'll be the perfect opportunity for another date with Duncan Hunter.

- Steve Ralls

Military Monitors Blogs, Websites

The Associated Press reported yesterday that the military is closely monitoring blogs written and visited by military personnel, and is watching what websites service members are visiting.

That's an especially important warning for LGBT military personnel, who have been subjected to investigation and discharge under "Don't Ask, Don't Tell" for posting online profiles and keeping blogs. Former Army Specialist Jeff Howe (pictured) was dismissed shortly after his command discovered both a blog he was keeping about day-to-day life in his unit, and a (G-rated) online profile at a predominantly LGBT website.

Service members should be especially careful about what information they post on such sites as MySpace, Friendster and other online communities.

For more information on how to protect yourself, take a look at these recent guidelines, posted by SLDN and our partners at Gay.com.

- Steve Ralls

Hillary Slams "Don't Ask, Don't Tell"

During a recent meeting in New York with LGBT community leaders, Senator Hillary Rodham Clinton spoke about marriage rights, the Ryan White AIDS Care Act, employment non-discrimination and . . . "Don't Ask, Don't Tell."

From Gay City News:

Clinton spoke passionately against what she said was the injustice, waste, and stupidity of the military's Don't Ask, Don't Tell policy that has led to 10,000 discharges in the past 13 years, including some involving personnel with specialized skills such as language translation.

Senator Clinton also spoke out against the ban in 1999, when she was First Lady, saying that "Gays and lesbians already serve with distinction in our nation's armed forces and should not face discrimination. Fitness to serve should be based on an individual's conduct, not their sexual orientation."

We couldn't agree more, Senator. Thanks for continuing to speak up.

- Steve Ralls

Congratulations to our Friends in New Jersey

Yesterday's New Jersey Supreme Court decision, recognizing that same-sex couples must enjoy the same rights as their straight neighbors, is a true breakthrough in the struggle for LGBT civil rights.

SLDN congratulates our friends in the Garden State, as well as Lambda Legal, the ACLU and Freedom to Marry, who have worked tirelessly on behalf of the couples who brought the New Jersey lawsuit.

The New Jersey court held that "the unequal dispensation of rights and benefits to committed same-sex partners can no longer be tolerated," and sent a loud and clear message that everyone, regardless of their sexual orientation, is equal. (You can read the court's decision here.)

SLDN applauds the New Jersey Supreme Court for recognizing the fundamental equality of every citizen, and we salute our allies who never gave up in their fight for equal justice and fairness under the law.

- Steve Ralls

Attention San Diego Veterans!

The San Diego Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender Community Center has announced that it will partner with the U.S. Library of Congress in an effort to document the stories of LGBT veterans. The Veteran’s History Project will rely on volunteers to help collect and preserve stories of wartime service. Each interview will be recorded by audio or video, and added to the official archives at the Library of Congress. In honor of Veteran’s Day, interviews will be conducted throughout the month of November.

The first volunteer training will take place on Sat., Nov. 4 from 10am-1pm at The Center, 3909 Centre St. It will be lead by Jo'el Roth, a regional representative from the Library of Congress.

For more information, call (619) 692-2077, ext. 107, or email lsullivan@thecentersd.org.

- Steve Ralls

Out in Baghdad

The current issue of Gay Military Times has an op-ed by Chief Petty Officer Stuart O'Brien of the Australian military. O'Brien talks about his time working with U.S. forces, and sharing details about his life, and his partner, with American service members who must stay closeted because of "Don't Ask, Don't Tell:"

They were dumfounded when we got talking about our families back home and our partners, especially when it came to my partner – another guy.

The Australians, of course, allow lesbian and gay troops to serve openly, as do most other military allies. Their experiences - O'Brien says when U.S. troops learned about his sexual orientation "There was no animosity, no-one running way in fear that I might hit on them, it was as though sexuality didn’t matter and to me it didn’t" - are breaking down barriers in our own forces.

We know the Pentagon has not received a single complaint from an American service member who is unable or unwilling to serve with an openly gay allied service members.

Why would it be any different with their own colleagues from their own units?

- Steve Ralls

Being "Flexible in Our Methods"

We're watching President Bush's press conference on Iraq, and the President has just announced that the United States is "flexible in our methods for achieving" the goals he's set forth.

Indeed, with news this morning that generals on the ground may soon ask for even more troops in the warzone, the time for flexibility is here. There are 141,000 troops on the ground in Iraq today, and with an increase possibly on the horizon, there's little doubt the military needs qualified recruits, and more of them.

Will the President be "flexible" enough in his plans to finally call for welcoming LGBT Americans who want to serve? We already know as many as 41,000 gay Americans are ready to enlist, when "Don't Ask, Don't Tell" is lifted.

So yes, Mr. President, we agree the time has come to be "flexible in our methods." Let's be flexible enough to admit "Don't Ask, Don't Tell" was wrong, and get rid of the ban.

- Steve Ralls

UPDATE: In discussing the casualties in Iraq, the President just paid tribute to Americans who have "lost their partners in life" in the warzone. Is President Bush implicitly acknowledging the sacrifice of both straight and gay service members? We can only wonder . . . and hope . . .

Tell Rumsfeld: No More Barry Winchells

SLDN has just reported that former Army Specialist Justin Fisher, a soldier convicted in conjunction with the 1999 murder of PFC Barry Winchell (pictured) has been released from prison, after serving 7 years of a 12 1/2 year sentence.

Barry's mother, Patricia Kutteles, is understandably outraged about the message the release sends. “As a mother, I never want to see Barry’s story repeated," she said today. "As an American, I am outraged that our leaders have taken no action to make sure it never happens again. The most important step in curbing harassment is ending ‘Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell,’ and sending a strong message that second-class citizenship is not tolerated in a first class military. But, until that happens, Pentagon leaders must, at the very least, step up the plate and take real steps to protect our troops.”

The Pentagon has done little to prevent another anti-gay hate crime. It has never fully implemented its Anti-Harassment Action Plan . . . never held a single person accountable for anti-gay harassment, threats or intimidation . . . never conducted annual training on harassment, as they promised in 2000 . . . never sent a service-wide message that harassment will not be tolerated.

Now is the time to call on Secretary Rumsfeld (again) to honor Barry's memory by taking concrete steps to curb harassment. Email Secretary Rumsfeld and demand implementation of the Anti-Harassment Action Plan . . . demand proper training on curbing harassment . . . and demand that our gay troops be treated with the respect they deserve.

And to read SLDN's full statement on Fisher's release, click here.

- Steve Ralls

Going Mainstream

This past week I took a couple of days off from work and attended the AMVETs National Symposium on the needs of young veterans. Over 1,000 people gathered in Chicago and worked in small groups to identify solutions to emerging problems in four specific areas: benefits, health care, homelessness, and employment. Each working group of a dozen individuals spent two days tackling hard questions about their issue. Our group focused on long-term care, and included women and men veterans from WWII, Vietnam, Desert Storm/Shield, Bosnia, Iraq, and Afghanistan. Five of the people in our group were disabled and under 35 years old. Yet despite (or perhaps because of) our differences, by the end of the symposium, I came to be incredibly moved by their actions.

When I went to Chicago, I decided to take to heart some of the gay community’s criticism that gay veterans do not go ‘mainstream’ and show other veterans that we exist. Within the gay rights community it is very easy for me to be out — as both a lesbian and a veteran — because many of my activist colleagues understand the struggle I had for 12 years in the Army. At the AMVETs symposium, for the first time in my life, I entered into a group of straight military peers and did not go back into the closet. I even took a date to the dinner and treated her just as I would if she were my date at a gay event. I won’t lie . . . it was very hard for me, emotionally, and I worried about the reactions of my fellow veterans.

What a WONDERFUL experience it ended up being! During our working group, the other veterans asked if there were any specific needs that gay veterans needed addressed. They made genuine recommendations to change policies that affect gay veterans. Two of the recommendations were to eliminate the policy of collecting disability pay to repay severance pay that gay personnel receive when they are separated, and to provide confidentiality to gay members when they complete their separation physicals so their future health is not jeopardized.

Policy changes were not the only thing that happened during those two days. Veterans from all generations made an effort to come up to me with my date and say thank you for my service and to say how sorry they are for how I was treated in the past. They were incredibly welcoming at every event. A group of men even went to a Chicago lesbian bar after dinner with us, and three people from my group have said they will attend the SLDN annual dinner with their wives and girlfriends.

The lesson learned in all of this? Gay veterans should GO MAINSTREAM! It was important for me to go back to the mainstream veterans’ community, tell my story, and in the end, I was able to effect change and give back to the entire veterans’ community.

It was the biggest battle I have won (so far, at least) in my struggle with being a gay soldier. So, get out there and GO MAINSTREAM!!

- Stacy Vasquez

ABC: Reichen Talks About "Don't Ask, Don't Tell"

Air Force Academy graduate (and Amazing Race winner) Reichen Lehmkuhl spoke today with ABC's Good Morning America about being gay in the armed forces and the reality gay patriots face serving under "Don't Ask, Don't Tell."

"There was definitely an institutionalized acceptance of people being homophobic and telling gay jokes and making homophobic remarks — really, really mean homophobic remarks to the point of, 'Kill gay people,' " he said. And, Reichen reveals to ABC that he, too, was the victim of an anti-gay assault:

"A bag was put over my head," he said. "I was stripped of my clothes. I was forced to do things sexually with two other male cadets."

Lehmkuhl said that night he hit rock bottom and considered ending his life, he told ABC.

Yet, the military has done little to address anti-gay harassment. The Pentagon's Anti-Harassment Action Plan continues to sit on the shelf, and many commanders tell SLDN they weren't even aware of its existence.

It's time for military leaders to take harassment seriously, and to take serious steps to protect our men and women in uniform.

- Steve Ralls

Cantwell & McGavick on "Don't Ask, Don't Tell"

Like many races across the country, the Washington State senate race, between Democratic incumbent Maria Cantwell and Republican challenger Mike McGavick has been closely watched by pundits as a possible flashpoint in the battle for control of Congress.

Today's Seattle Times includes a synopsis of the two candidates on the issues. Here's where each stands:

Cantwell ". . . opposes the military's 'Don't ask, don't tell' policy that excludes known homosexuals from serving . . . "

McGavick ". . . supports the military's 'Don't ask, don't tell' policy."

It's important to know where candidates stand on issues our community cares about.

- Steve Ralls

CBS: PTSD Troops Re-Deployed to Iraq

Last night, Katie Couric reported on the CBS Evening News that a growing number of troops with post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) are being re-deployed to the war zone because of the military's dire need for soldiers on the frontlines.

The soldiers, who were originally removed from their units because of PTSD, are given a short period off to recoup, and then sent back to the front . . . before, many say, they are ready.

Listen to what one mother had to say:

"The Army sent us an e-mail saying they recognized Jason was suffering from PTSD, but was 'in his best interest' if he 'faced his fears' and went back to the front," says Pat Gunn, his mother.

Clearly, the rush to get these men and women back on the front is due to the dire need for personnel in Iraq. But why doesn't the Pentagon give these brave troops the treatment they need, and help solve teh recruitment problem by repealing "Don't Ask, Don't Tell?"

Surely, these men and women would appreciate having time to recover, and I'd be willing to bet they don't care if the people who can do that happen to be gay or straight.

- Steve Ralls

Hard Knocks on Hardball

When I am up on Capitol Hill advocating for repeal of “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell,” I often get asked where Senator McCain is on this issue. It’s a good question – Senator McCain is thought of as an independent thinker who comes to his own conclusions and isn’t bound to party lines. He’s also a widely respected military veteran, former POW and senior member of the Senate Armed Services Committee who knows a thing or two about our nation’s Armed Forces.

People are often surprised when I report that Senator McCain supports “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell” and wants to keep the status quo. They are more surprised when I tell them Senator McCain justifies his opinion by referencing Colin Powell’s 1993 testimony that openly gay people would hurt the military. Senator McCain made his most recent public statement to this effect yesterday on Hardball with Chris Matthews.

In response to a University of Iowa student’s question about the wisdom of continuing to exclude gay people from the military in light of military recruiters’ difficult task of filling the ranks of our Armed Forces with well-qualified recruits, Senator McCain had this to say:

“I listen to people like General Colin Powell, Former Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff and literally every military leader that I know. And they testified before Congress that they felt the “don’t ask, don’t tell” policy was the most appropriate way to conduct ourselves in the military. … We have the most qualified, the bravest and most capable military we’ve ever had in our history, and so I think that the policy is working. …[T]he day that the leadership of the military comes to me and says, Senator, we ought to change the policy, then I think we ought to consider seriously changing it…”

I would have thought that after the whole WMD in Iraq debacle, Republicans would think twice about the old “point to Colin Powell to give your claim credibility” tactic. Not only are the statements Colin Powell and the service Chiefs made 13 years ago outrageously outdated given the ways in which American culture has progressed with respect to how it treats LGBT folks, they are also wrong. Time has proven them wrong.

About 65,000 members of the “most qualified, the bravest and the most capable military we’ve ever had in our history” just happen to be gay. We couldn’t be the world’s finest fighting force without them. And you know what else? Colin Powell and John McCain can keep their heads in the sand if they want to, but the American men and women fighting our war in Iraq and Afghanistan have moved on. They live in a different world from Powell and McCain. In the world they live in, what matters are duty, honor, courage, and trying to stay alive. And gayness or straightness doesn’t figure into that world. What matters is how hard you fight.

Senator McCain is a leader and a fighter. He knows better than to rest his positions on the outdated prejudices of others. 65,000 gay people are serving today. We owe them better than a law that asks them to lie for that privilege.

Senator McCain wants to be President of our great nation. Write him and urge him to change his stance on repealing “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell.” If you are a veteran, tell him your story and why you think “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell” should be repealed. If you aren’t a veteran, tell him why this matters to you. But whatever you do, make sure he hears from you.

- Sharon Alexander

Honor Every Veteran

The Department of Veterans Affairs recently announced their Veterans Pride Initiative (no, it's not gay pride related!). R. James Nicholson, Secretary of Veterans Affairs, says they are asking veterans to proudly wear their medals on Veterans Day, as an effort "to remind Americans of the pride and honor in the hearts of those who have served."

Nicholson goes on to say this:

"We expect Americans will see our decorated heroes unite in spirit at ceremonies, in parades and elsewhere as a compelling symbol of courage and sacrifice on Veterans Day, the day we set aside to thank those who served and safeguarded our national security."

For me, truly taking pride in our veterans means recognizing and honoring the service of all our veterans. And that includes our lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender veterans.

This Veterans Day, we're doing just that. We're asking our supporters to help us honor the selfless service and patriotism of America's one million LGBT veterans by participating in our "Honor Every Veteran" campaign. You can show your support by wearing an Honor Every Veteran t-shirt, hanging an Honor Every Veteran sign, or having your favorite business join in our campaign.

Check out the website for our "Honor Every Veteran" campaign.

I hope you'll join us in honoring every veteran this Veterans Day.

- Rebecca Sawyer

Memorial Service for LGBT Veterans

Along the themes of honoring and remembering lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender heroes, Capt. Mike Rankin, USNR (Ret), a member of SLDN's honorary board, passes along this message about an upcoming event honoring LGBT veterans.

A Memorial Service for GLBT service men and women who fought and died in all our nation's wars will be held on Saturday, November 4, at 2:30 p.m., at the Congressional Cemetery, 1801 E St. Southeast in Washington, D.C. The service will be led by SLDN Honorary Board member Mike Rankin, and will be held at the gravesite of Sgt. Leonard Matlovich, a much decorated Vietnam veteran who was one of the first to protest his discharge for being gay. The wreath will be laid by former Air Force Col. Abrams, who as an Air Force JAG officer refused to participate in the Court Martial convened to discharge Sgt. Matlovich.

For more information, contact Mike Rankin at NAVYDOCDC@aol.com.

- Rebecca Sawyer

Celebrating GLBT History Month

October is GLBT history month. As part of the month-long observance of the contributions of gay Americans, glbthistorymonth.com is highlighting 31 prominent GLBT people - one every day - who have made a difference in the struggle for equality.

The site's October 7 profile is of Sergeant Leonard Matlovich. A decorated military hero, Matlovich was also a tireless crusader for gay military personnel. He was the first openly gay person to appear on the cover of Time Magazine (to the left) and spoke about the military's ban on gays frequently in the media.

Visit glbthistorymonth.com and watch their great online video about Matlovich. And check back each day for a new profile of a GLBT hero.

- Steve Ralls

Ask the President

This Week, ABC's Sunday morning political talk show, will sit down soon for a conversation with President Bush . . . and ABC viewers get to ask the questions.

You can submit a video question for President Bush on the ABC News website. And, you can even use your cell phone video camera to record the question, too.

Of course, we're hoping the President gets asked about "Don't Ask, Don't Tell," and specifically why, in the current world climate, he seems to believe we can afford to lose Arabic linguists and other trained professionals in the name of federally sanctioned discrimination. As the military issues waiver after waiver for less-than-stellar recruits to sign up for service, why, Mr. President, do we turn away perfectly qualified gay patriots?

Be sure to submit a question for the President, and if your question makes it onto the air, let us know! We hope to be able to post the video here when that airs.

- Steve Ralls

'Burning Blue' in Florida

Burning Blue, the acclaimed play about gay military personnel, makes its Florida debut on November 18 at Cinema Paradiso in Fort Lauderdale. It will run through December 23.

A synopsis of the play, from BroadwayWorld.com:

" . . . when two servicemen go into a gay disco in Hong Kong, it gets reported and it triggers an investigation into their personal lives."

The play won two Olivier Awards in London and played to sold out houses in Los Angeles, San Francisco and London. London’s Eastern Standard called it “the most topical and shocking play in London.”

So, if you're in Fort Lauderdale between Thanksgiving and the holidays, be sure to make 'Burning Blue' part of your plans.

- Steve Ralls

NPR Audio Online

Now you can listen to the recent segment about "Don't Ask, Don't Tell," on NPR's Day to Day program, by clicking here.

Here's the synopsis from the NPR website:

"Over the past five years, the number of military discharges of openly gay soldiers has fallen by 40 percent. Are straight soldiers and commanders becoming more accepting of gay soldiers, or is the need for warm bodies in the military so dire they're willing to overlook sexual orientation?

Alex Cohen reports about inconsistencies in the 'don't ask, don't tell' policy, and profiles a gay soldier."

- Steve Ralls

Remembering Gerry Studds

This morning, the LGBT community continues to remember former Congressman Gerry Studds, who passed away on Saturday. Studds was the first openly gay member of Congress, and a passionate advocate for allowing lesbians and gays to serve openly in the armed forces.

You can read SLDN's statement here. And we also wanted to share part of a message we received this morning from Cliff Arnesen, VP of New England GLBT Veterans. In his message, Cliff writes that "Gerry obtained a permit for the New England GL&B Veterans, Inc., Boston, MA, to lay a wreath at the Tomb of the Unknown. Thus, on May 5, 1993, I, along with officers and members laid a wreath at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier in Arlington National Cemetery, to honor ALL gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgendered servicemembers who gave their lives in service to America."

Cliff also reminded us that it was in Gerry's office that American Veterans for Equal Rights (AVER), then known as the National Gay, Lesbian & Bisexual Veterans of America, was born. He was truly at the forefront of the effort to lift the ban.

And, as Cliff also noted in his email, "Gerry stood tall and showed America that a gay man with vision and courage, could 'lead and advocate' on behalf of heterosexual folks, as well as GLBT people in America and around the world."

- Steve Ralls

Listen to the Debate at Yale Online

Last week, SLDN's Director of Law & Policy, Sharra Greer, traveled to Yale Law School for a debate on "Don't Ask, Don't Tell." You can now listen to that debate online.

Feel free to let us know what you think!

- Rebecca Sawyer

Speak Arabic? The FBI Wants You!

This does not bode well for our fight in the war on terror. According to yesterday’s Washington Post, only 33 of the FBI’s 12,000 agents have even a limited proficiency in Arabic.

And yet, as our friends at Pam’s House Blend and Shakespeare’s Sister have pointed out, we’re still dismissing Arabic linguists, like former Army Sergeant Bleu Copas, from the military solely for being gay. It boggles the mind.

Even more mind boggling is that if individuals like Bleu wanted to work at the FBI as an openly gay agent, they can. Why? Because of this:

The Federal Bureau of Investigation is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration. Except where otherwise provided by law, selection will be made without regard to, and there will be no discrimination because of race, religion, color, national origin, sex, political affiliations, marital status, nondisqualifying physical or mental disability, age, sexual orientation, membership or nonmembership in an employee organization, or on the basis of personal favoritism or other non-merit factors.

Isn’t it about time for the military to catch up?

- Rebecca Sawyer

Today's History Lesson

Rhode Island Monthly magazine has a terrific article in their October issue about the state's long history regarding gays in the military.

In 1919, an infamous witch hunt embroiled Naval Station Newport in controversy. The story, which includes Naval "ladies," their "trade" admirers and even Franklin Delano Roosevelt, was one of America's earliest debates on gay military personnel.

The story is a must-read, and includes a comparison of the situation in 1919 with what life is like today under "Don't Ask, Don't Tell."

- Steve Ralls

From Our Friends Across the Pond

Our friends at UK Gay News in Britain reminded us this week about the website proud2serve.net, an online resource for British LGBT military personnel. The Brits, of course, lifted their ban on gays in the military in 1999, and have been a great role model for allied militaries to follow.

And, the Ministry of Defence in London officially sanctions the Proud2Serve site!

- Steve Ralls

Report From The Road – Chicago

My name is Alan, and I joined SLDN as a Major Gift Officer in June of this year. One of the many exciting things about my new job is that I get to travel to meet with some of our major donors to give updates on SLDN and our many projects.

I just returned from Chicago recently on one such trip. What a great city! Our board member, Jean Albright, and I met with 10 donors on the trip, ranging from a politically active gay attorney to a parent of a gay man who sees overturning “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell” as something important to her children, as well as the nation.

I’ve got to say (and don’t tell my boss I said this) that advocating for SLDN is a pretty easy job. We’ve got a good organization here, and from the work of our attorneys with service members to our policy team working to get HR 1059 (the Military Readiness Enhancement Act) through Congress – we’ve got a lot going on. It’s a pretty sweet job when you get to talk about something that is important to you and they pay you to do it!

Thanks to Chicago for the hospitality. I really enjoyed seeing “the bean” at Millenium Park and the campus of the University of Illinois – Chicago.

Looking forward to my next trip to Los Angeles and Seattle in November!

- Alan Lindquist

(A Not So) Happy Coming Out Day

In an email to a colleague this morning, I greeted her with an exuberant “Happy Coming Out Day!” Yet, the irony of my work at SLDN is that it is a greeting that I cannot truly share with those that I work with, lesbian, gay and bisexual service members.

Yes, we are seeing a number of service members who are out to their military colleagues. Service members, like former Marine Sergeant Brian Fricke, are out to their colleagues with no problems whatsoever. After coming out to colleagues, Fricke says, “Despite the hype about ‘Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell,’ and the trouble gays would cause in the ranks, it wasn’t that big of a deal. And it wouldn’t be today. I remained Corporal Fricke, and I happened to be gay.”

Stories like Fricke’s are truly encouraging. We know the tides are changing, and changing for the better.

And yet, coming out puts these service members at risk of discharge under the antigay “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell” law. For these service members, coming out to the wrong person can and does lead to dismissal under “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell.” In an interview with the Connecticut paper, The Day, Bronwen Tomb, a former Coast Guard Academy cadet, talks about having been out to several colleagues for years. Yet, when she told the wrong person, she was out of the Coast Guard.

Tomb says, “People think of [‘Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell’] as a gentleman's agreement to be discreet,” she said. “But you can't do anything. You can't tell anyone under this policy. Eventually it requires you to be deceptive in some ways.”

Last time I checked, deception was not a part of the Coast Guard’s values. Nor is it an Army, Air Force, Navy, or Marine Corps value. All of the services extol the virtues of integrity and respect. Yet, these values, coupled with “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell,” sends a mixed message to service members, and to the American public. “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell” asks service members to lie about who they are. Yet, the services ask service members to adhere to the virtues of integrity and honor. “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell” says that lesbian, gay and bisexual service members are not good enough to serve their country just as they are. Yet, the services ask service members to value their diverse work force.

Isn’t it time that we respected the service of all service members?

My hope this National Coming Out Day, is that one day soon, I will be able to greet all service members with “Happy Coming Out Day!” and that they, too, can take part in being honest about who they are and who they love, and not worry that their act of integrity will endanger their lives or their livelihood.

- Rebecca Sawyer

Today at 4pm: SLDN on News Channel 8

SLDN's Executive Director, Dixon Osburn, will be on News Talk with host Bruce DePuyt on News Channel 8 this afternoon between 4 and 5pm.

Be sure to tune in to New Channel 8, and watch Dixon and Bruce discuss SLDN’s work towards repeal of "Don't Ask, Don't Tell"!

- Rebecca Sawyer

Today on NPR

This afternoon, National Public Radio's Day to Day program will feature an in-depth look at "Don't Ask, Don't Tell." You can listen live online at noon EST, at the WETA website, or visit the Day to Day site later in the afternoon for an archive of the show.

The NPR segment features interviews with former Marine Sergeant Brian Fricke, retired Master Chief Petty Officer of the Coast Guard Vincent Patton (pictured), and discharged Arabic linguist Bleu Copas.

Be sure to tune in!

- Steve Ralls

Air Force Diversity: Take Two

We recently told you about Air Force Secretary Michael Wynne's message to airmen about the importance of diversity. This morning, we received another tip about a second message, also highlighting the value of a diverse fighting force.

This time, the Secretary's letter touts "harnessing . . . magnificent differences into an effective coherent team" and urges "wholehearted respect" for colleagues who are different.

We couldn't agree more, but we reiterate the need to respect all diversity, including lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender airmen, too.

You can contact Secretary Wynne and ask that he stand by his pledge, and be the first service secretary to call for an end to "Don't Ask, Don't Tell."

- Steve Ralls

Running the Army Ten-Miler

This weekend I had the opportunity to run the Army Ten-Miler—my first time—with a great group of lesbian, gay and bisexual veterans. I was one of the nine veterans who made up the “Veterans Too” team. Our team placed 9th out of the 61 teams in the open mixed category. We had a great group of supporters who came out to cheer us on.

SLDN had shirts made for everyone to wear for the race. The shirts had the slogan “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell, Don’t Work” on the back; “Veterans Too” and “more than 10,335 discharged” on the front. As I took my jacket off to prepare for the run, I wondered how well received the shirts would be.

To my surprise, I only received positive comments. The one comment that gave me a boost at the end was when someone touched my shoulder and said “Keep up the good work. I am still active duty,” as he ran past me. Everyone else wearing the shirts said they received positive comments as well.

I am glad I had the opportunity to run. I hope that we made a few people think differently about “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell.” I am looking forward to running the Army Ten-Miler again next year. Hopefully more people will be joining me. So get out those running shoes and start preparing to run on the “Veterans Too” team again next year!

- David Hall

The Enemy Within

Tonight's episode of Frontline, on PBS, looks at the controversy surrounding the government's domestic surveillance program. Log on to the PBS site for your local airtime, and check back after the program for a special online story that includes a look at SLDN's efforts to get to the bottom of surveillance of the LGBT community.

- Steve Ralls

Measuring Loyalty . . . Honor . . . Courage

The Associated Press has an interesting story this morning on the military meeting recruitment goals for '06 . . . and how, exactly, they pulled that off.

Some stats: 2600 new soldiers under new, lower aptitude standards (3.8% below the previously accepted test score minimum) . . . more than half of waivers issued were for "moral" reasons, such as misdemeanor arrests . . . 7% were for drug and alcohol problems . . . and in total, 17% of all first time recruits required a waiver of some sort to enlist in the services.

What does the Army have to say about all this? According to AP:

In a written statement, the Army said good test scores do not necessarily equate to quality soldiers. Test-taking ability, the Army said, does not measure loyalty, duty, honor, integrity or courage.

Well, no, probably not. But sexual orientation isn't an indicator of loyalty, duty, honor, integrity or courage either. Yet the Pentagon fires two gay people every day because of "Don't Ask, Don't Tell."

Another striking reminder about why the ban makes less and less sense with each passing day . . .

- Steve Ralls

An SLDN Client Speaks Out

Rhonda Davis, a former Navy petty officer and SLDN client, told her story about life under "Don't Ask, Don't Tell" to the CBS Evening News this past weekend.

You can
watch the segment here, and read more about Rhonda's story in her recent Newsday profile.

- Steve Ralls

SLDN on NPR's Day to Day

Be sure to tune in to National Public Radio's Day to Day on Monday, for a story about the movement to repeal "Don't Ask, Don't Tell."

Monday's segment will include interviews with SLDN representatives and retired military officials, as well as profiles of service members dismissed under the ban. Producer Alex Cohen has done an amazing job of thoroughly researching the arguments behind repaling the ban, and is taking a close look at what reality is for service members who report to duty under "Don't Ask, Don't Tell."

Check the Day to Day website for local airtimes, to listen online or to find an archive of the segment.

- Steve Ralls

Debating the Ban at Yale

This morning's Yale Daily News has a recap of last night's debate on "Don't Ask, Don't Tell." SLDN's director of law and policy, Sharra Greer, joined retired Admiral John Hutson, dean of Franklin Pierce Law School, in making the case for repeal.

"I fervently hope and believe that there will come a time in our history that we are as ashamed about this policy as we are about racial segregation," Admiral Hutson told the audience, echoing sentiments made in his groundbreaking op-ed in the National Law Journal.

A second panel, titled "JAG Under DADT: Should Gays be Allowed to Serve in the Military, and if not, Should You Serve?," will be held this morning at Yale.

- Steve Ralls

An Air Force Message on Diversity

In an August 29 letter to U.S. Airmen, Air Force Secretary Michael Wynne hails the "melting pot" of recruits in today's Air Force, calls for an end to harassment in the ranks and sings the praises of a diverse fighting force. But while mentioning geographic, racial, religious and gender diversity, Wynne neglects to mention the service of lesbian, gay and bisexual Airmen.

We give kudos to Wynne for noting that "we simply have no place for" harassment in the armed forces, and we concur with his conclusion that "we're in this fight together," but we'd like to see him take his request that "all Airmen [be] welcomed and appreciated" one step further.

Secretary Wynne: Why not be the first service secretary to step up and tell Congress to repeal "Don't Ask, Don't Tell?" You can put your action where your words are, and take a real stand in favor of diversity and a strong Air Force. Because, as you yourself concluded, "your nation deserves no less."

Diversity does make our fighting forces stronger, but any claims of such diversity fall short as long as "Don't Ask, Don't Tell" remains on the books.

- Steve Ralls

Beirut Rememberance Walk in DC

SLDN supporter Bill Kibler is organizing a walk, later this month, in rememberance of those killed October 23, 1983, while serving in Beirut, Lebanon. Here are the details, from Bill's email to us:

On October 21-23, 2006, a group of people will walk in remembrance of those killed on October 23, 1983, while serving in Beirut, Lebanon at Constitution Gardens on the National Mall. On Sunday, October 22, the walk will follow the White House Commission on Remembrance Ceremony being conducted at Section 59 in Arlington National Cemetery where 22 of those brave men are buried. The Ceremony begins at 12 Noon and the walk will start at 1:00pm.

The group encourages others to join the procession and walk a lap or three, 50 or even all. Each lap is approximately 1/2 mile around the pond/gardens and takes under 10 minutes to complete. Those not walking the full distance will be given an index card before each lap with a Marine, Sailor, or Soldier's name/information killed while serving as a Peacekeeper. After completion of the lap, participants are asked to sign the card on the back, and return it so someone else can walk in memory of that servicemember. Those 'going the distance' will receive a roster with all the names/information accordingly, checking a name after each lap completed.

For more information, visit the Beirut Rememberance Walk website.

- Steve Ralls