Checking in on Elaine

It's been a while - too long, really - since we last checked in with Elaine Donnelly of the Center for Military Readiness. You remember Elaine: she was the one who blamed retired General John Shalikashvili's stroke for his support of repeal . . . who inaccurately told The Washington Times that "even Democrats" don't support legislation to lift the ban . . . and who slammed Congressman Gary Ackerman (D-NY) for suggesting that gay Americans may have an important contribution to make to our country.

So we decided to check in on Elaine, and see what her newest rant might be. Turns out, she's furious about "San Francisco values."

Referring to Congresswoman Ellen Tauscher's leadership in the campaign to repeal "Don't Ask, Don't Tell," Donnelly told Cybercast News Service that, "We don't really want to see legislation passed that would reflect the San Francisco agenda of Ellen Tauscher."

Hooray for values! Let's see how Elaine's 'values' stack up against Congresswoman Tauscher's, shall we?

Tauscher: 3 trips to Iraq to visit the troops; 5 trips, overall, to the Middle East
Elaine: 0.

Tauscher: Member of the House Armed Services Committee, on which she is Chairman of the Strategic Forces Subcommittee
Elaine: Has "experienced two 'trap' landings on the carriers USS John F. Kennedy and USS Kitty Hawk (without so much as a tussle of that perfectly coiffed 'do)

Tauscher: 6 terms in the House, representing California's 10th Congressional district
Elaine: Never elected to anything (thankfully for us)

So what 'values,' exactly, do they have out in the city by the bay? Maybe it's American values (79% of the public supports repeal); or military values (73% of personnel say they're comfortable around gays); or even conservative values (a "large majority" of Republicans support lifting the ban, too).

So if Elaine wants to talk about 'values,' let's have that debate. Congresswoman Tauscher has stood up for a strong national defense; equal opportunity in our armed forces; and supporting the troops by putting the best and brightest on the job. Meanwhile, Elaine keeps arguing against women and gays in the military.

Is discrimination really the 'value' we want our government to embody? Or is Elaine just more out of touch than ever before?

- Steve Ralls

Profits from "Fly Naked" to support SLDN

On 18 May, with the help of LoveandPride.com, I launched a new jewelry and accessory line called “Fly Naked”. The name of the line came from a dare that we all had in flight school…to get naked on one of your solo flights and to actually fly naked. Beyond that, to “fly naked” was something we all reminded each other to do in life…that is to be the best person you could be, with no excuses or apologies to anyone, as long as you were doing your best for yourself and others around you.

Because LoveandPride.com gives a percentage of all of their jewelry purchases to charitable LGBT causes, they were a perfect partner for me and the Fly Naked line. 10% of the gross proceeds of every purchase is donated to SLDN.

After serving in silence myself, for nine years, it means so much to me to be able to give to SLDN, an organization that helped me through many personal and scary trials while I was serving on Active Duty in the U.S. Air Force under Don’t Ask Don’t Tell.

Last week, I hosted a party in San Francisco to spread the word about the continued ban, Don’t Ask Don’t Tell, and how Fly Naked is one of the ways we can contribute to stopping all of this nonsense, including the unfair representation and treatment of LGBT servicemembers. I was so happy to see so many faces light up at the mention of an end to the continued ban. I became more proud by the minute as veteran after veteran approached me with stories that matched my own from my days in the service.

I will be hosting another party for Fly Naked to spread the word even further on July 19th in New York at Splash Bar. SLDN members in the NYC area are welcome!

Visit the Fly Naked with Reichen Collection at www.loveandpride.com/sldn

-Reichen Lehmkuhl

GOP: Don't Fire LGBTs . . . Unless . . .

There has been much ado in recent days about a new poll of Republican voters and their views on LGBT issues. Granted, there is some very good news among the numbers, including the revelation that 77% of Republicans do not believe an employer should be able to fire an employee simply because they happen to be lesbian or gay . . .

. . . unless that employer happens to be our nation's largest, and the employee happens to be a member of the United States military.

Among Republican voters, this newest poll suggests, only 49% - not even half - support repealing "Don't Ask, Don't Tell." An astonishing 42% say the ban should remain the law of the land.

Granted, it's a good thing to have 49% of the GOP on our side, but we should have even more Republican support for repeal. Lifting the ban enhances military readiness, allows our armed forces to recruit among the best and brightest and gets the government out of the bedroom . . . a long-time core principle of conservative values.

Some other polls have indicated that Republican support for repeal is even greater than suggested in this newest survey. According to a May 2005 poll from The Boston Globe, “Large majorities of Republicans, regular churchgoers, and even people with negative attitudes toward gays think gays and lesbians should be allowed to serve openly in the military.” So let's hope this newest data is undercount of the true support that's out there.

- Steve Ralls

The Newest Member of the SLDN Family

All of us at SLDN are proud to announce the arrival of the newest member of our family: Isabel Bea Alexander, who arrived on Saturday. Isabel is home resting with her very tired mom, Sharon (SLDN's deputy director of policy) and proud dad Nick.

From Nick's email on Sunday:

"I'm very pleased to announce that Isabel Bea Alexander decided to join us last night, a week after her due date. 8 lbs 6 oz, 21.5 inches, and a full head of hair. Mom and baby are well, and Zoe is thrilled to be a big sister."

Congratulations to Sharon, Nick and new big sister Zoe!

- Steve Ralls

"Don't Ask, Don't Tell" en Espanol

SLDN client and former U.S. Army sergeant Pepe Johnson, recently appeared on Univision's Spanish language news program "Aqui y Ahora" (Here and Now), to discuss his 2003 discharge under "Don't Ask, Don't Tell." Unfortunately Pepe's story is not unique; however the fact that he has taken his story to Spanish speaking media is noteworthy.

In a wide ranging, 10 minute interview, Johnson shared his story of how in 2001 he was honored by his commanding officers at Ft. Sill, OK with the Soldier of the Year Award, but was kicked out of the service less than two years later for being gay.

Johnson's story is an important part of a larger piece on the history of "Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell" that includes footage of SLDN's 2007 Lobby Days rally and a heartwarming interview with Lois Alva, mother of wounded Iraq War Hero Eric Alva.

By 2008 it is estimated that nearly 10,000,000 Hispanics will vote in the Presidential election, accounting for nearly 7% of all votes cast. Despite these significant numbers, it often seems that issues such as “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell” are not explained as fully or as often to Hispanics audiences.

Appearances, like Johnson’s remind us all that “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell” is a civil rights issue and knows no linguistic or cultural boundaries, gay Latinos are just as likely to be kicked out of the service as their gay Asian, Anglo and African-American colleagues. Gay is gay and discrimination is discrimination….period.

Pepe Johnson and Univision remind us all that “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell” is an equal opportunity discriminator that affects men and women of all classes and cultures.

Victor Maldonado

Join the Debate

On July 23rd, the Democratic contenders for the White House will come together for another debate in South Carolina. But this time, you get the ask the questions.

Host network CNN is asking Americans to load up questions , via video, to YouTube.

This is the perfect opportunity for veterans impacted by "Don't Ask, Don't Tell" to be part of the national conversation about lifting the ban. So . . . get out your video camera and join the debate! Be creative . . . compelling . . . and unexpected.

For more information, visit the official YouTube debate page.

(And look for information soon about posting video questions for the Republican debate, scheduled for September 17 in Florida.)

- Steve Ralls

Semper Fi Premieres Monday

On Monday, Showtime premieres Semper Fi: One Marine's Journey, based on the experiences of SLDN client Jeff Key.

The film, which repeats throughout the week on Showtime, has received rave reviews for its wrenching portrayal of life under "Don't Ask, Don't Tell," and its unflinching look at the war in Iraq.

Bay Area Reporter recently wrote that "Framed around Key's direct address to the camera, excerpts from his one-man play, and recollections of family and friends from Alabama and LA, Semper Fi draws on the pivotal two months Key spent on active duty in Iraq, his journals, photos and video of smiling Iraqi kids, and finally the sight of a med-evac chopper airlifting him back home to treat a non-combat-related injury."

You can read this morning's Washington Blade interview with Key here. And be sure to tune into Showtime, beginning Monday, to see Semper Fi yourself.

- Steve Ralls

Morning Headlines

News coverage of the campaign to repeal "Don't Ask, Don't Tell" continues, with great new media coverage this morning.

Agence France Presse takes another look at the continued dismissal of lesbian and gay Arabic lingusits. Their story includes an interview with SLDN client Bleu Copas as well as insights from an active duty SLDN client who specializes in Arabic.

This morning's Seattle Post Intelligencer has a great op-ed column by Hearst opinion writer Marianne Means. "We have learned a great deal about what it means to be gay in the past two decades," Means wrrites. "It is not a moral 'choice.' It is who you are. And that doesn't mean you are a danger to your country and can't be a good soldier, if that's what moves you."

The Austin American-Statesman also takes a look at repeal efforts this morning, and the recent announcement by former Congressman Bob Barr that he, too, supports lifting the ban.

Chicago's LGBT weekly, Windy City Times sits down with SLDN advisory board member RADM Alan Steinman, USPHS/USCG (Ret.) for a preview of today's salute to LGBT veterans in that city.

And SLDN makes our debut today on HuffingtonPost.com as well, with a blog posting about the Brave New Foundation's Lift the Ban project, and the impact of continuing to dismiss qualified language experts who happen to be gay.

"Don't Ask, Don't Tell" is on the front pages again, and the country is engaged in a vigorous conversation about lifting the ban. If your local paper is covering the issue, let us know! Leave your feedback in the comments section below.

- Steve Ralls

Chicago Honors LGBT Veterans

If you are in the Chicago area tomorrow afternoon and want to show your support for a repeal of the military’s “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell” policy, stop by Daley Plaza between 12 noon and 1 p.m. to hear from Rear Admiral Alan M. Steinman, MD USPHS/USCG (Ret.), one of the country's highest ranking, openly gay military officers. He will be joined by Tammy Duckworth, Director of Veteran’s Affairs for the State of Illinois and former Iraq War veteran.

To find out more about “With Justice for All,” Chicago’s salute to lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender veterans and service members, click here.

-Victor Maldonado

Snowe & Collins: Review the Ban

Maine's two Republican Senators, Olympia Snowe and Susan Collins, are suggesting it might be time for Congress to re-visit "Don't Ask, Don't Tell."

From Bangor Daily News:

"Maine’s two Republican senators are willing to consider a change. Sen. Susan Collins said Congress should re-examine the policy and that the review 'should assess the impact of the policy, the demands on our military forces, the challenges of instituting major policy changes during wartime, and the input provided by our military leaders.'"

"Sen. Olympia Snowe said it might be time for a review and that Congress 'must carefully evaluate and hear from the military commanders to determine what is in the best interests of our armed forces and our brave men and women in uniform.'"

That's encouraging news, especially considering the disappointing response from Republican presidential candidates at their recent debate. Now, if only the 2008 crowd would listen to their colleagues in Congress.

Snowe and Collins get it - as do Christopher Shays (R-CT), Ileana Ros-Lehtinen (R-FL) and Wayne Gilchrest (R-MD): Building a strong national defense, by recruiting among the best and brightest regardless of sexual orientation, isn't a Republican or Democratic thing. It's a national security thing. And whether you're in Maine or Manhattan (yes, Rudy), you're safer with qualified people on the job, be they gay or straight.

- Steve Ralls

Watch the Video, Sign the Petition Now!

We got back from the Take Back America conference earlier today where the Brave New Foundation, along with SLDN and all of our partners in the fight to repeal "Don't Ask, Don't Tell," unveiled this new documentary featuring the story of former Navy Petty Officer Second Class Stephen Benjamin.

Benjamin, a former Arabic linguist who was recently dismissed under "Don't Ask, Don't Tell," shares his story of learning Arabic, his family's tradition of military service, and his service to our country. (Benjamin also recently penned a New York Times op-ed where he talks about his experiences and calls for repeal of the gay ban.)

And as part of this campaign to raise visibility around "Don't Ask, Don't Tell" repeal efforts, we've worked with Brave New Foundation to launch a petition campaign showing members of Congress that America supports lifting the ban.

So, check out the clip above, and sign the petition online at www.lifttheban.org. And then be sure to pass this along to all your friends, family, and colleagues.

Take action now and help us end this discriminatory law once and for all!

- Rebecca Sawyer

From the Frontlines of the War in Iraq

The newest issue of The Advocate - hitting newsstands tomorrow - makes history with the first on-the-record interviews with active duty lesbian and gay service members inside Iraq. SLDN was proud to work with the magazine's editors to make these historic interviews, with our clients Karissa Urmanita and Darren Manzella, happen. The issue also features interviews with SLDN client and spokesman Jason Knight; Iraq war veteran Eric Alva; and with the partners of LGBT service personnel deployed abroad. It's a must-read for anyone interested in the current state of "Don't Ask, Don't Tell" and the stories of those serving under the ban.

"My command seems to act as if I never came out to them," SLDN client Urmanita tells the magazine. "Work is still the same, and off time didn't change." She continues by pointing out that, "I'm open about talking to my girlfriend over the phone. I know other lesbians, and I've been seen hanging out with them. I'm just in a more comfortable environment because [my colleagues] know it's hard for me to be honest and open to the whole Army."

Urmanita's experience, as The Advocate shows, is becoming more and more common within the armed forces. Lesbian, gay and bisexual service members - like Knight - are serving openly with the support of their colleagues and commands, and finding that life in the closet isn't always the only choice.

"I wasn't going to go back to that life," Knight says. "My coworkers and direct chain of command were all aware of my sexuality, and it really didn't bother them."

Increasingly, commands and service personnel are finding 'Don't Ask, Don't Tell,' and not LGBT colleagues, to be the real problem. Speaking about her co-workers, Urmanita says that "Once they found out, it was like there are no secrets between us anymore. I can actually talk about my life with them."

The special military issue of The Advocate, featuring Urmanita, Knight and others, is available on newsstands beginning on Tuesday.

- Steve Ralls

Join Us at Take Back America

I'm excited to be attending my first Take Back America conference, on Monday in Washington, along with the Brave New Foundation. The Foundation will be announcing an exciting new advocacy project, in conjunction with SLDN and other partners, related to the military's continued exclusion of lesbian, gay and bisexual service personnel. We'll also be joined by Bleu Copas, a gay Arabic linguist dismissed under "Don't Ask, Don't Tell."

Check back on our website tomorrow for more details about this incredible new project. And, if you'll also be attending the conference, plan to join us as we announce this new endeavor, and learn how you can help us lift the ban! We'll be kicking off the project on Monday morning with a press conference, followed by a panel discussion that same evening.

- Steve Ralls

Stepping Up

Editor's note: a SLDN supporter and veteran speaks out about last week's Republican presidential debate.

“The policy is working my friends. The policy is working”.

Respectfully, Sen. McCain, I’m going to step up and disagree. With a string of emails in about my sexual orientation, jokes and all, flying through the USS Frank Cable’s official email traffic last fall, I’d have to say that it works only for heterosexual military members.

It was this homophobic email and the decreasingly subtle comments by my enlisted superiors throughout my command that led me to write a two page letter to my commanding officer to let him know that my time had come. Ten years and one step away from making Chief Petty Officer myself, I knew that my perceived sexual orientation would be an issue during the Navy’s “Chief’s Initiation”. It was time to leave before I suffered very real humiliation with no “real” options for recourse.

I put up with rumors and speculation for nine years and every decision I made in close quarters began with this – “What will people think?”

One superior, in confidence, encouraged me to reconsider my "admission". “There’s growing support for making this go away. I really believe that this is going to go away.” I said thank you and then respectfully replied that as long as President Bush remains president, this was a false hope.

The truth is, many conservative leaders are still carrying the banner marked “Onward Christian Soldiers”. They are unwittingly subscribing to the idea that our armed forces are not soldiers, they’re missionaries.

I knew that most people had no idea or cared very little about who or what I was in my private life. If they did, I would’ve faced a discharge several times over the course of my career. The fact remains, however, that by not being able to openly talk about it, I often found myself forced into secrecy, lying to coworkers and pretending to be someone I was not.

Sen. McCain, if you believe that gay and lesbian service members should be held to a lower standard of integrity than their counterparts; if you believe that lying and emotional blackmail are American values; if you believe that standing naked next to a gay translator in a military locker room is more of a threat than the messages he deciphers from terrorists, then “My Friend”, you are absolutely right – “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell” works.

- Former Navy Petty Officer First Class Jeremy Johnson

Help Wanted

This past weekend, I went up to Boston Pride to spread the world about SLDN.

I also got to meet a friendly recruiter from the Armed Forces Recruiting Station across the street from the Boston Commons. I was walking by and lo and behold – what do I see in the window? A large advertisement saying the Army needs Arabic translators! That’s funny, I thought, because we at SLDN have numerous clients who happen to be Arabic translators. They would like to serve. They would like to translate Arabic! But alas, they cannot, because they are openly gay.

A recruiter came out of the office while I was trying to photograph the sign and he asked, “Can I help you?” I was caught a little off guard – so I told him that I worked for a non-profit that assisted service members affected by DADT, and that we have clients who are translators who have been kicked out of the Army simply because they are gay. I told him that I thought it was kind of funny that here they were, advertising, that they needed more translators. He didn’t really say anything. He just walked back inside. He didn’t even ask me if I wanted to enlist!

Well – there’s an easy fix to the quandary of a) the Army needs translators but won’t let you translate if you’re openly gay and b) many gay translators are willing and ready to serve: lift the ban!

- Aaron Tax

Powell: U.S. Moving Toward Open Service

Former Chairman of the Joint Chiefs Colin Powell, who also served as Secretary of State for President George W. Bush, indicated on NBC's Meet the Press that he believes the U.S. military is moving toward allowing lesbian and gay Americans to serve openly.

"I think it's certainly moving in that direction," Powell told host Tim Russert. He went on to note that, "I think the, the country has changed in its attitudes quite a bit. 'Don't ask, don't tell' was an appropriate response to the situation back in 1993. And the country certainly has changed."

Powell helped to author the military's ban in 1993, and has steadfastly supported the law. His remarks on Sunday, however, indicate he may be having a change of heart. And while he did not go so far as to call for immediate repeal, he clearly has re-thought the policy in his own mind.

"I will not second-guess the commanders who are serving now, just as I didn't want to be second-guessed 12 or 13 years ago," Powell said. "But I think the country is changing. We may eventually reach that point."

- Steve Ralls

Don't Tell Dowd Don't Ask Works

I admit it: I've had a huge crush on New York Times columnist Maureen Dowd for a long time. There are few writers who can combine wit, eloquence and relevance in quite the way Maureen does. And today, I love her more than ever.

In this morning's Times, Dowd takes on the politicos who continue to defend "Don't Ask, Don't Tell," and she does it as only she can:

"Hypocrisy is the homage vice pays to virtue, as the gloriously gay Oscar Wilde said. And gays are the sacrifice that hypocritical Republican candidates offer to placate 'values' voters -- even though some candidates are not so finicky about morals regarding their own affairs and divorces.

They may coo over the photo of Dick Cheney, whose re-election campaign demonized gays, proudly smiling with his new grandson, the first baby of his lesbian daughter, Mary. But they'll hold the line, by jiminy, against gay Americans who are willing to die or be horribly disfigured in the cursed Bush/Cheney war in Iraq.

Peter Pace, whose job as chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff became a casualty of Iraq on Friday, asserted in March that homosexual acts 'are immoral.' Yet in May, he wrote a letter to the judge in the Scooter Libby case, pleading for leniency for the Cheney aide. Scooter always looked for 'the right way to proceed -- both legally and morally,' Pace wrote of the man who lied to a grand jury about the outing of a spy, after he pumped up the fake case for the war that has claimed the lives of 3,500 young men and women serving under the general."

The 65,000 lesbian and gay troops silenced by "Don't Ask, Don't Tell" found a powerful new voice to speak up for them today. And Dowd showed us how she earned her Pulitzer, and what the tradition of excellent op-ed writing is all about.

You can read Raw Story's coverage of her column here, and Times Select subscribers can read her full write-up online here.

- Steve Ralls

Admiral Change?

Admiral Michael Mullen, the likely successor to outgoing Chairman of the Joint Chiefs Peter Pace, may face questions in his confirmation about Pace's views on lesbian and gay service members, as well as his own. A look at his past remarks on the topic of "Don't Ask, Don't Tell" suggests Admiral Mullen may be open to change.

The Washington Blade reports on Mullen’s remarks about the military's ban:

Mullen, who will be recommended to succeed Pace, said April 3 at the Brookings Institution in Washington that “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell” has “served us very well.”

But he also said that he would be open to reconsidering the issue.

“If it’s time to revisit that policy, the American people I believe — and we live in a country — the American people ought to raise that issue and we’ll have the debate,” he said according to a transcript.

“As a member of the Joint Chiefs and obviously the head of one of the services, I will contribute to that and give my best military advice based on what — the debate that’s going on, and if it changes, it changes. I think that’s the path right now.”

If Admiral Mullen is ready to listen to the American people, he will indeed find support for change. Eight out of ten Americans now support repealing "Don't Ask, Don't Tell," and 73% of service members report they are comfortable with lesbians and gays.

We hope Mullen will stick to his commitment to a debate about the issue. Having a sitting Chairman of the Joint Chiefs participating in an honest, balanced conversation about open service would represent a sea change in military perspective compared to 1993, when the issue was last debated in Congress.

Will Admiral Mullen bring about admirable change? We'll be waiting to see . . .

- Steve Ralls

Stumbling for Words

[photo by Judy G. Rolfe for SLDN.]

I'm not really sure what to say, and for the first time I stumble for words caught between feelings. I can not deny the fact that Gen. Peter Pace has spent an impressive 40 years in the military and has no doubt served his country in the United States Marine Corps. He has followed, led, and impacted troops in ways that have hopefully helped to shape their careers and their lives.

However Mr. Pace has also shown another side of himself when he made those gay-bashing remarks earlier this year in March. Remarks that were directed at an estimated 65,000+ gay and lesbian service members who are currently serving in silence. The character flaw here is not his own views or opinions, but rather his lack of leadership in expressing those views in the public eye while in uniform. And this leads me to believe that there were other motives in the decision not to have him back.

As a leader he should have supported ALL of those who currently support him. I can only hope that he learns something from this. That he roots out his own bias. I honestly wish him luck in his future endeavors in hopes that he will make something positive from the negative.

- Former Navy Petty Officer Second Class Jason Knight

"Don't Ask, Don't Tell" at the Debates

Photo by Charles Krupa, Associated Press

Last week Democrat Presidential nominees gathered to debate . . . and every one of them affirmed their desire to repeal “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell.” On Tuesday, the Republican candidates gathered as well . . . . and all affirmed their desire to keep in place the ban on lesbian, gay and bisexual service personnel. Whomever the eventual candidates will be, the American people have a stark choice before them.

Perhaps even more disturbing than their support for “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell” was the clumsy and seemingly clueless way in which many of the Republican candidates fielded the question about open service. Mike Huckabee, Former Governor of Arkansas, said, “I think it's already covered by the Uniform Code of Military Conduct … it's about conduct; it's not about attitude.” Wrong, Mike. DA, DT is a Congressional Law, not a part of the Uniform Code of Military Justice. The UCMJ is about conduct, but DA, DT is about mere status. Just ask Jason Knight, who was just discharged for daring to serve openly in Kuwait.

Other Republicans also seemed out of touch on the question.

Former New York Mayor Rudy Giuliani punted, telling CNN’s Wolf Blitzer, “I don’t think this would be the right time to raise these issues.”

Former Governor Mitt Romney (R-MA) acknowledged supporting a repeal of the law earlier in his career, saying that, “No, actually when I first heard of the ‘Don't Ask, Don't Tell’ policy I thought it sounded awfully silly and didn't think that'd be very effective, and I turned out to be wrong.” Today, however, Romney supports maintaining the ban. “It's been the policy now in the military for, what, 10,15 years? But who knows with Romney, maybe if we wait another five minutes he’ll flip-flop again?

Then there was Senator John McCain’s (R-AZ) cryptic response to the question, “I think it would be a terrific mistake to even reopen the issue. It is working, my friends. The policy is working.” What exactly does THAT mean? Gays and lesbians are being drummed out of the service, so the policy must be working? National Security is being placed at risk, so the policy must be working? Working how, Senator? Working for whom?

The truth of the matter is that there is that if Republican leaders believe this law is working, then their definition of ‘working’ is fundamentally flawed. As our military struggles to find qualified troops and our fighting forces are stretched to a near breaking point, turning away talented and skilled gay Americans is a detriment to our national security. Eight out of ten Americans understand the importance of repealing ‘Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell.’ It is unfortunate that the Republican candidates for president do not. They are out of touch with their constituents and out of step with our country’s best interests.

- Victor Maldonado

Actions Speak Louder than Words

On Monday night, I was home alone in my new apartment glued to the television set as I watched the Democratic presidential candidates debate. I was proud to see that every one of them supports repeal of the gay ban. In stark contrast, Wednesday night showed us that we have not come as far along as many of us think. Not a single Republican candidate supports repeal. Almost four decades after Stonewall and 4 years after the landmark Supreme Court decision in Lawrence v. Texas, gay military men and women are still fighting for one of the most basic civil rights: the right to be.

In my New York Times Op-Ed, published today, I talk about my story and reflect on the gay ban. I was one of the 58 Arabic linguists discarded because of this policy. In a single year, those Arabic linguists could have provided more than 150,000 hours of translation services. There's a very real possibility important intelligence information was overlooked -- and the costs of the gay ban don't end there. 11,000 of us have been kicked out, and we can only imagine the number of gay men and women who don't re-enlist because of this law.

On the Army's 230th birthday [in 2005], Donald Rumsfeld told the crowd, "For over 200 years, the Army has been at the forefront of defending the freedom that makes our country such a very special place. The Army story is America's story, where men and women are judged not by race or religion or family heritage, but by merit; where anyone with a desire to serve and anyone with the drive and talent can excel."

Unfortunately for Mr. Rumsfeld, actions speak louder than words.

- Former Navy Petty Officer Second Class Stephen Benjamin

In the Navy

Yes, it's true. Jason Knight, the openly gay sailor who has been speaking out against 'Don't Ask, Don't Tell,' is still, technically, in the Navy. As the newspaper Stars & Stripes reports this morning, Jason recently received his DD-214 paperwork, marking the end of his return to active duty. But, much to his suprise (and ours), Jason has been placed back into the Individual Ready Reserves (IRR) until 2009. And there's not a mention anywhere on his paperwork about his sexual orientation.

Similar discharge paperwork resulted in Jason being re-called to active duty a year ago, after completing his four-year enlistment in the Navy. At the time he left his first enlistment, Jason was also out to his command and his colleagues. Rather than dismissing him for being gay, though, the command simply marked his exit papers with a 'completion of service' designation, sent him to the IRR and made him eligible for call-up again. And they did the exact same thing this time.

Jason, as always, remains ready and willing to answer the call to duty yet again, should it come. When asked by Stars & Stripes if he would accept a call-back to active service again, Jason replied, "Of course I would."

And that, more than anything, may tell us why his commanders are so anxious to keep him in the service.

(Photo by Rudy K. Lawidjaja)

- Steve Ralls

Inside the Democratic Debate

Advocate.com has an exclusive behind-the-scenes look at LGBT issues in Sunday's Democratic debate, including the unanimous position among all 2008 candidates that the time has come to repeal "Don't Ask, Don't Tell."

The Advocate's "spin room" interviews with the candidates produced more strong responses about lifting the ban:

Sen. Joseph Biden:

“I would just as president of the United States end it. I would issue an executive order saying there will be no discrimination whatsoever in the military and everybody will be held to the uniform military code—so that if two gay people engage in illicit activity on the base, they’re gone; just like if two married people engage on the base, they’re gone."

Gov. Bill Richardson:

“I would pass legislation to end it, but I would also say to my military commanders, ‘There is not going to be any discrimination against gays and lesbians the military.’”

David Bonior, campaign manager for the Edwards campaign:

“[Sen. Edwards] has made his position clear that he’s opposed to the policy. He believes that sexual orientation should not be a consideration for people who are willing to give their lives to serve the country and risk their lives—that should not happen. Actually, he came out maybe three months ago with his position on that policy. He will do whatever is necessary to get it [repealed] and quickly once he is in office.”

Sen. Mike Gravel, candidate:

“When I met with the Servicemembers Legal Defense Network, I said, 'I'll do an executive order,' and they said, 'Senator, you can't do that, it's a law.' I said, 'Well, you just watch me.' Let me tell you, I've learned one thing about military people, those stars can come off as easy as they go on when you're Commander in Chief."

Compared to the 1992 campaign, when the issue of gays in the military ignited a firestorm of controversy, the 2008 candidates have taken strong, bold and unequivocals stands in favor of open service.

Now the question remains: Will their Republican counterparts do the same tonight when they debate?

You can read The Advocate's full coverage online here.

- Steve Ralls

Richardson's Vote on 'Don't Ask, Don't Tell'

There has been some confusion, following last night's Democratic debate, about New Mexico Governor Bill Richardson's vote on "Don't Ask, Don't Tell" during his time in the House of Representatives. During the debate, Richardson noted that "I voted against it as a Congressman."

But this morning, The Washington Note questions Richardson's recollection of his Congressional vote. "Bill Richardson thinks that he voted against Don't Ask, Don't Tell.' I don't think that there ever was a vote -- as I believe that Clinton did this by executive order," the Note says this morning.

In fact, there were several votes on the issue (and the ban was not put into place by executive order). Some readers have pointed to a vote in the House, which Richardson supported, and which passed 301-143. There was, however, another vote, considered the key sign of support for or against "Don't Ask, Don't Tell," on which Richardson voted the right way. The so-called Meehan Amendment, which proposed eliminating the "Don't Ask, Don't Tell" policy from the 1994 Defense Authorization Act, was supported by then-Congressman Richardson. That Amendment, unfortunately, failed 169-264, leaving the ban in palce as part of the full DoD authorization, but Richardson was, no question, on the side of open service when he voted on that critical proposal.

So, it isn't quite correct to say that Governor Richardson wasn't with us while in the House. In fact, he did vote to end "Don't Ask, Don't Tell" via the Meehan proposal.

Of course, what matters most is what Richardson would do as President, and he's been consistent, as a 2008 candidate, in his support for lifting the ban. And, it seems, he was correct in last night's debate, when he seems to have been referring to his vote on the Meehan Amendment, and stripping the DoD authorization bill of its proposal to continue excluding lesbian, gay and bisexual Americans from the armed forces.

- Steve Ralls

Al Gore Remembers LGBT Military Families

Blogger Rod 2.0 has a fascintaing post up this morning about former Vice President Al Gore's recent appearance on MSNBC:

Last night, Al Gore appeared on MSNBC's Countdown with Keith Olbermann to discuss his new bestseller, The Assault on Reason. Olbermann asked the Vice President about Cindy Sheehan's recent decision to leave activism and her dis-satisfaction with the peace movement. "My heart goes out to all those Americans who have lost loved ones, be they children or spouse," Gore noted. "Partners or brothers or sisters ... in the war."

Small but significant. Gore has often used the word "partners" as a direct reference to the many gay men and lesbians who have significant others in the armed forces. Isn't it refreshing to see a political figure who uses his capital to try to be inclusive on and off the campaign trail?

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Gore has been a longtime friend of the LGBT community, and an advocate for repealing "Don't Ask, Don't Tell." All of us at SLDN appreciate his remarks on MSNBC, which is a rare remembrance about the sacrifice and loss that same-sex families endure in military service, too.

You can watch the complete interview with the former Vice President online here.

- Steve Ralls

Join Jason Knight in Washington

This morning's Stars & Stripes newspaper reports on SLDN's announcement that Jason Knight will join the organization in our efforts to repeal "Don't Ask, Don't Tell." Jason, who has served openly in the U.S. Navy - including during a deployment to Kuwait - will become part of our national ad campaign; speak out across the country on behalf of repeal; and meet with Congressional staffers in Washington on Tuesday afternoon.

Then, on Tuesday evening, Jason will join SLDN supporters at the Women's National Democratic Club in Washington to talk about his work to support repeal and his commitment to working with SLDN to lift the ban.

Jason has joined the fight against "Don't Ask, Don't Tell." On Tuesday, you can join Jason in a show of support for his work.

Details about Tuesday's event are on our website, here. Make plans now to join us as we welcome a passionate new voice to the cause.

- Steve Ralls