The Power of the Pen

Last week the New York Times reported that in honor of the 14th anniversary of "Don't Ask Don't Tell," 28 retired generals and admirals had signed a letter to Congress urging lawmakers to lift the ban on gay service. That same day, two of those senior officers joined SLDN, Log Cabin Republicans, Servicemembers United and the Human Rights Campaign at a rally on the National Mall, where 12,000 flags had been planted to comemorate the 12,000 gay service members who have been discharged from the military because of the ban.

All of this came on the heels of last week's controversy which erupted after retired Brigader General Keith Kerr's questioned the Republican presidential candidates on "Don't Ask Don't Tell" during the CNN/You-Tube debate.

Local newspapers from across the country are begining to take notice. The Christian Science Monitor, The Salt Lake Tribune, and the Oregon Register-Gaurd all carried stories about last week's events.

So let's keep the conversation going! Let's make sure our local newspapers know that lifting the ban is important to the people in our community!!

Write a letter to the editor of your local paper! We can send a powerful message to our community leaders -- that gay service men and women are proud, capable, patriotic Americans who aren't going to give up the fight to serve openly.

Its easier than you think. Just visit your local newspaper's web site and click on "Letters to the Editor." Find out how many words your letter needs to be and start writing.

1) Tell them who you are;
2) Explain why repeal is important to you (equality for all Americans, respect for our men and women in uniform, our national security);
3) Tell your Member of Congress to support the Military Readiness Enhancement Act (H.R. 1246), the bill that would repeal the military's "Don't Ask, Don't Tell" ban on lesbian, gay and bisexual personnel.
4) Then send it -- by e-mail, fax or good old fashioned mail -- to your local editor.

Keep the conversation alive. With your help we will remind our neighbors, and our lawmakers, that our communities want the ban lifted!

-Victor Maldonado