The Frontlines

We've moved!

2008-10-07T13:54:00.007-04:00

Frontlines, SLDN's blog has moved along with the rest of our website.

The new site provides all the important facts, figures, and history that SLDN clients and supporters have come to rely on from our previous site. But the new website takes our campaign to a new and more exciting level, providing an online action center for supporters and activists to become a central part of our growing campaign to repeal "Don't Ask, Don't Tell."

At the site, supporters can write to Congress, tell friends about the importance of lifting the ban and, of course, read and comment on SLDN's blog, and join our campaign's rapid response to breaking news and events.

Please continue to read Frontlines in our new location and comment on our postings.

SLDN Board Member Achieves Milestone for Women

2008-09-11T12:01:00.005-04:00

U.S. Air Force Auxiliary Civil Air Patrol Major General Amy Courter was recently elected the first female national commander in the organization’s 67-year history. As national commander, Courter will lead nearly 60,000 volunteers in the patrol’s three main Congressionally-assigned missions, which include emergency services, cadet programs and aerospace education. Courter will work to expand the patrol-led flight program and hopes to increase the visibility of the patrol while also expanding partnerships with schools.

The Civil Air Patrol is a volunteer-based organization that provides leadership training to youth and adults, many of whom learn to fly for the patrol, which works in conjunction with the U.S. Air Force.

First elected to the SLDN board in 2001, Amy Courter served as board co-chair from 2004-2006 and is currently Vice President of Information Technology for Valassis, Inc. Prior to her election as national commander of the Civil Air Patrol, Courter also received the Distinguished Service Award and served as Michigan Wing Commander for the organization from 1992-2002.

SLDN congratulates Major General Courter on her tremendous achievement and wishes her success in her new leadership role.

Supporter Donates Tax Stimulus Check

2008-09-11T11:51:00.002-04:00

The Servicemembers Legal Defense Network extends our gratitude to a generous donor from Fresno, CA, for recently contributing her $600 IRS stimulus check to our work.

This generous support comes at a critical juncture in the fight to lift the “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell” ban. The sacrifices of allies and generosity of donors inspire us to continue leading the fight to repeal this discriminatory policy while also providing legal assistance for servicemembers impacted by the ban every day.

With the help of individuals like our Fresno donor, SLDN will remain on the forefront of advocating for the 65,000 gay and lesbian men and women in uniform who cannot speak for themselves. The ongoing generosity of donors from across the country brings us one day closer to a time when all members of the armed forces can serve the country they love openly, honestly and free from the chains of fear and discrimination.

Visit this page to donate to SLDN today. Thank you.

“Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell” Makes the D-List

2008-09-11T11:42:00.003-04:00

In the recent season finale of Kathy Griffin’s “My Life on the D-List,” the Bravo series addressed the presence of gay soldiers during Kathy’s visit to Walter Reed Army Medical Center to entertain recuperating service members with a special stand-up performance. During the episode, she tours the hospital to chat with recovering soldiers and help them heal through laughter, as only Kathy can. In the course of her visit, she jokingly mentions “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell” and asks about the presence of gay troops in the hospital. Toward the middle of the episode, one officer responds that “There’s some in there, don’t worry.”

GOP Platform: Homosexuality Incompatible With Military Service

2008-09-04T11:39:00.004-04:00

The Log Cabin Republicans have put the best face on the Republican Party's 2008 platform, which won't leave many American gays and lesbians smiling.

They write on their blog, " . . . rather than squabble over the platform (which we could have done), we decided to go to Minneapolis-St. Paul at the Republican National Convention and show LGBT Americans in a positive light. We’re going there to engage in conversations with delegates and Republicans of all stripes. Some will agree with us. Others won’t. One thing we know for sure is that we’re going to the RNC with a positive message about gay and lesbian Americans. We think that’s important.”

I think that’s important, too. Very important. But however “symbolic” platform language may be, and even though every candidate need not support every plank in it, a party’s platform is still a statement on where a party stands on the issues of our time. The Republican Party Platform, which convention delegates approved unanimously on Monday, certainly does not advance the position Servicemembers Legal Defense Network advocates: the repeal of the statute known as “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell” and the passage of H.R. 1246. When that inevitably happens – and it is inevitable – our country will finally acknowledge what is already a fact – that 65,000 gays and lesbians are now fighting in the armed forces of the United States – and allow them to serve openly without fear of discovery, discharge, and the loss of their benefits.
We support this language in the Republican Party Platform: “Military priorities and mission must determine personnel policies.” You can’t have a man or woman in the infantry piloting a plane over Afghanistan, or a medic working as a navigator, etc., etc. And we strongly agree with the next sentence: “Esprit and cohesion are necessary for military effectiveness and success on the battlefield.“

It’s the sentence that follows that saddens and angers me: “To protect our servicemen and women and ensure that America’s Armed Forces remain the best in the world, we affirm the timelessness of those values, the benefits of traditional military culture, and the incompatibility of homosexuality with military service.”

Our servicemembers need “protection” from roving bands of gays and lesbians? Let’s get real, people. Our servicemembers need protection from hostile fire, not from the 65,000 gays and lesbians that every soldier, sailor, and airman knows are serving by their sides now with no apparent damage to esprit de corps and unit cohesion.

And homosexuality incompatible with military service? Ask Israel, whose military generally gets pretty high ratings. Ask our NATO allies who’ve managed to find homosexuality compatible enough. Many of them are actively recruiting gays and lesbian to help fill their ranks. This kind of language, in the platform of any political party in 2008, is offensive, insulting, and out of sync with what polls show most Americans, military and civilian, believe: that sexual orientation is not a factor when evaluating a person’s qualifications to serve in the military.

Fortunately for gays and lesbians everywhere, for Americans in general and for SLDN in particular, the majority of Republicans do not go along with the language of their own platform. A July Washington Post/ABC News poll showed that 64 percent of Republicans support allowing gays and lesbians to serve openly in the military. I wish I could say that the party’s candidate for president was among that 64 percent, but I can’t.

John McCain’s currently beleaguered choice for vice president, Governor Sarah Palin, has taken no public stand on DADT that I know of, but it’s hard to be optimistic. She supported the 1998 Alaska constitutional amendment barring marriage equality. She has been governor less than two years but has already supported stripping away domestic partner benefits for state workers. From that record, it doesn’t sound as if she’ll be advocating the repeal of DADT – unlike her fellow Republicans who are co-sponsors of H.R. 1246, notably Christopher Shays of Connecticut, Maryland’s Wayne Gilchrest, and Ileana Ros-Lehtinen of Florida.
Like my friends in the Log Cabin Republicans, I’m not giving up on the Republicans in Congress. I’m not giving up on the Republicans at all. It’s clear from the Washington Post/ABC News poll that the language in the platform does not represent the views of the majority of Republicans – or the majority of Americans, for that matter. Party leaders just have to catch up with party members.

“Don’t Ask Don’t Tell” is not an issue of one party versus another. It’s a matter of military readiness and what’s best for the country. The armed forces need all the qualified men and women they can get. It’s a matter of fairness. Bigotry is bipartisan, but so are civil rights. It comes down finally to military readiness and fairness. What’s fair for me is fair for you. Most of us, Republicans as well as Democrats, gays as well as straights, see that.

--Aubrey Sarvis

Platform Victory in Denver

2008-08-29T11:08:00.002-04:00

One of the most important things that came out of the Democratic Convention in Denver this week for me was the convention’s formal adoption of the platform committee’s language on “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell”. The hard work, of course, had already been done behind the scenes by the committees in Cleveland and Pittsburgh, and by many of you. To that end, let me again thank Congresswoman Tammy Baldwin and all members of the two committees involved, especially Diego Sanchez who was so vocal and eloquent in his advocacy of this language. We owe all of them a big thank you.

Now, at long last, the Democratic Party and their presidential nominee have a formal position calling for the repeal of DADT and urging open service without regard to sexual orientation. I am told that Barrack Obama and Joe Biden will run on the platform language and embrace it, not run away from it. (As some of you already know, Joe Biden was one of the few senators in ’93 who voted no on DADT.)

This is hugely important. The policy SLDN has been advocating for years is now the official policy of one of the major political parties. Now, we work with the Republican Party to see if we can get similar language in their platform document. Unfortunately, the prospects are not promising right now. The Republican National Convention platform committee did meet recently and it looks like more of the same ’04 platform language; gays and lesbians are to be excluded from serving in the military. I am going to be talking to my Republican friends in the next few days to see if there is any possibility of offering a favorable and friendly DADT amendment in the Twin Cities when the RNC meets. More on this front later.

It is critical that both parties call for the repeal of DADT. This change in the law can only happen with a majority vote and we need both parties to make this policy change. It cannot happen without bipartisan support.

In the interim, raise a glass and cheer the good Democratic platform language below. It is so good, I thought you should see it in its entirely. Progress is being made.

“Allow All Americans to Serve
We will also put national security above divisive politics. More than 12,500 service men and women have been discharged on the basis of sexual orientation since the ‘Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell’ policy was implemented, at a cost of over $360 million. Many of those forced out had special skills in high demand, such as translators, engineers, and pilots. At a time when the military is having a tough time recruiting and retaining troops, it is wrong to deny our country the service of brave, qualified people. We support the repeal of “Don’t Ask Don’t Tell” and the implementation of policies to allow qualified men and women to serve openly regardless of sexual orientation”

--Aubrey Sarvis

Michelle, Hillary, and Maureen at the DNC

2008-08-28T15:14:00.003-04:00

As the surprise speaker, Michelle Obama was a big hit at the big GLBT luncheon Tuesday in Denver, sponsored by the HRC and the Victory Fund. Aubrey Sarvis blogs about it on the Huffington Post today. A lot of big Democratic names were there -- Barney Frank, Steny Hoyer, Tammy Baldwin, and more -- and all of them favor repeal of DADT.

We've come a long way in four years. Aubrey didn't miss Hillary's speech either, or Maureen Down's response to it.

At the Democratic Convention the Mantra Is....

2008-08-26T21:00:00.002-04:00

The Democratic National Convention keeps our man in Denver moving. From Google's tent (get a massage while your phone is charging) to the Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee's reception to the hymn-singing ladies on the street, SLDN's Aubrey Sarvis is a busy man -- and everywhere he's pushing for the repeal of Don't Ask, Don't Tell and the passage of H.R. 1246. Read about it in his latest blog on the Huffington Post.

Starring in Denver: Barack and Hillary and Joe

2008-08-26T13:28:00.003-04:00

SLDN's executive director Aubrey Sarvis blogs on the Huffington Post from the Democratic National Convention in Denver that Hillary Clinton and Joe Biden can help Obama or they can hurt him, but it's still up to Obama to seal the deal. That will determine the next leader of the most powerful country in the world. Whether that man is Obama or McCain, he will carry a heavy, heavy responsibility.

Anxious Democrats

2008-08-25T14:29:00.002-04:00

Aubrey Sarvis is blogging this week for the Huffington Post from the Democratic National Convention in Denver. He reports that the party faithful are full of hopeful anticipation mixed with a dash of apprehension. Why the apprehension? Look towards the Clintons. How much weight to give the Hillary factor? Will her most ardent supporters get on the Obama bandwagon, however reluctantly? Or are they so disaffected that they’ll climb aboard the McCain Express and elect the Republicans' man in November?

Hello Marijean

2008-08-25T13:15:00.004-04:00

Please welcome Marijean Hall, SLDN’s new Development Director, who joined us last month.

Marijean has been a senior level nonprofit professional for 25 years, providing strategic/business planning, fundraising, and communication services to local and national organizations. She has developed successful fundraising programs for preeminent health care organizations including the American College of Cardiology, American Academy of Pediatrics, Georgetown University Medical Center and AIDS Action Foundation.

With the opportunities that will come with a new administration and Congress, SLDN needs to substantially increase funding for our work to end “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell.” We are excited to have Marijean heading our development team during this important time.

Transgender Veterans Survey Finds Discrimination by Military and Veterans Administration

2008-08-25T10:40:00.003-04:00

A recent survey by the Transgender American Veterans Association shows that transgender veterans are being turned away and being mistreated in high numbers by Veterans Administration medical facilities.

The Palm Center at the University of California, Santa Barbara analyzed the responses of 827 transgender U.S. military veterans and active-duty personnel. 10% of respondents were turned away from the VA due to being transgender, while many reported other forms of discrimination including lack of respect from VA doctors (22%), non-medical staff (21%), and nurses (13%).

In addition, among those who served under the “don’t ask, don’t tell policy,” 1 in 5 were questioned by an officer about their sexual orientation, a violation of the military’s DADT policy. A third reported there were suspicions about their sexual identity; indicating that officers were confusing that with gender variance. “I find it very disturbing that our proud veterans are being turned away by the VA because of who they are,” stated Monica Helms, President of Transgender American Veterans Association. “We served our country honorably and proudly and the VA medical benefits we earned should not be denied or diminished simply because of the direction our lives took after discharge from active service.”

Other figures found in the survey also paint a bleak picture of how transgender veterans are being treated. VA medical services offered to other veterans are routinely denied transgender veterans, such as pap smears, mammograms, prostate exams, psychotherapy and hormone treatments. Also, respondents reported they were more likely to be turned away for treatment related to transgender health issues.

Nearly one third of the survey participants reported having experienced discrimination in the workplace, with 31% reporting that they believed they had not been hired for a job specifically because they were transgender. A full 15% reported that they had been fired from a job for being transgender (with 40% of those people having been fired more than once).

Standing on Principle

2008-08-21T16:23:00.007-04:00

Aubrey Sarvis recently wrote in the Huffington Post about the Democratic Party’s draft platform that calls for the repeal of “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell.” Four years ago, DADT was not even mentioned. The draft has to be approved by the convention next week, but that seems a virtual certainty. He compares this principled stand with others that were found controversial in their time, like the racial integration of the armed forces in 1948. Such major changes in attitude rise above partisanship. They’re not about what party we belong to but what kind of country we are.

Congresswoman Stephanie Tubbs Jones Passes Suddenly

2008-08-21T16:06:00.002-04:00

Servicemembers Legal Defense Network Executive Director Aubrey Sarvis expressed deep condolences on the sudden and sad death of Ohio Congresswoman Stephanie Tubbs Jones. Sarvis said, “With the passing of Congresswoman Stephanie Tubbs Jones, we have lost a fierce champion and a dear friend. Her opposition to ‘Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell’ was just one example of her strong commitment to building a more just America, and insisting upon equality for all.”

Sarvis added, “We are extremely proud that Congresswoman Tubbs Jones was one of 143 House co-sponsors of H.R. 1246, the Military Readiness Enhancement Act.”

Thank You, Admiral Barnett

2008-08-11T11:17:00.007-04:00

After 32 years of distinguished service, Rear Admiral Jamie Barnett retired from the U.S. Navy Reserve in June. In a virtual retirement message, he urged the repeal of “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell.” Barnett recently wrote an Op-Ed in the Washington Post calling on military leaders to speak openly of how "Don't Ask, Don't Tell" injures our military and weakens our preparedness. This week, we are proud to announce that he is contributing his compensation from the Washington Post to SLDN. We are honored to Admiral Barnett’s contribution and proud that he is speaking out to right this wrong. On behalf of our clients and all who must serve in silence, we thank Admiral Jamie Barnett.

--Adam Ebbin

"Never so Proud"

2008-08-04T12:16:00.003-04:00

Upon accepting the position of Legislative Affairs Intern at Servicemembers Legal Defense Network, I never would have imagined that my experience would have allowed me to be a part of such a tremendous movement that improves both gay rights and the strength of our military.

As a Navy veteran who was pushed out of the Armed Services by the restrictions and harassment that accompanies the “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell” law, I decided that joining the efforts to lift the ban was best decision that I could make.

Over my experience during the summer, I was able to work with other allied LGBT organizations, speak first-hand with members of congress and congressional staff members, utilize the many great resources that the DC area has including the Library of Congress, and contribute toward the congressional testimony for the “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell” Review hearing. As a student one-year shy from an undergraduate degree, the opportunity I was given was unlike any other. The experience that I acquired at SLDN was not only personally rewarding, but rewarding in credible job experience that I will bring to future employers.

I had never felt so proud when Members of Congress were speaking out on my behalf, along with the other 45,000 who would serve if the law was repealed.

Hillary R. Kowalski
Former USN Airman

Irony in the House Dead? Not Yet

2008-07-25T16:03:00.003-04:00

In his most recent Huffington Post article, SLDN Executive Director Aubrey Sarvis reflects on the irony of Congress holding historic hearings on “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell” the very same day lawmakers attended a ceremony commemorating the 60th anniversary of President Truman’s integration of the armed forces.

In his article, Sarvis notes, “The very same arguments that were made in 1948 against mingling the races in the military were made Wednesday against mixing homosexuals and heterosexuals...But there was a major difference: this time the two witnesses testifying to the hotbed of sexual license that our armed forces would instantly become should homosexuals be allowed to romp freely through the barracks looked, to put it charitably, foolish.”

Click here to visit Huffington Post and learn what Sarvis is saying about "Irony in the House.”

-Adam Ebbin

My Excitement Was Warranted

2008-07-24T15:15:00.003-04:00

(Gen. Coleman, Capt. Darrah & S/Sgt. Alva)

Yesterday’s hearing couldn’t have gone any better. I for one could not have felt more elated and impressed by the response from the subcommittee members. Based on the questions and comments from the Congressional members present, I think we will see repeal of “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell” in the not too distant future. What a great feeling. And, I have new heroes in Congress. After spending over eight years under that policy, it heartens me that one day no one will have to feel like those of us who served under it felt.

Representative Ellen Tauscher ranks high on my list of favorites. She is lead sponsor the Military Readiness Enhancement Act in the House, which drives her to the top of the list. Her appearance at the hearing yesterday only helped to lift her in my eyes. She suggested that the issue of gays in the military presented the last civil rights hurdle for us to over come.

Representative Patrick Murphy presented some very pointed questions and as a fellow, former service member, I am very proud. He asked if our service members had the professionalism to serve with members of differing sexual orientation, adding that he found it insulting for Ms. Donnelly to suggest otherwise. He definitely has a place on my list of heroes.

Representatives Shays and Snyder also belong on my list of heroes. Shays said he thought the policy was not only unpatriotic and counterproductive, but “downright cruel.” Truer words could not have been said. Snyder, equally impressive, pointed out the fear mongering attitude presented by Ms. Donnelly’s argument that HIV infection would somehow spiral out of control if the ban disappeared.

I would be terribly remiss if I did not mention the outstanding performance of the witnesses who support repeal. Staff Sergeant Eric Alva gets my deepest thanks, not only for his testimony, but what he has given to this country, and this fight. He has given more than I can ever understand, and I can only hope my meager thanks somehow help. Captain Joan Darrah, was amazing and presented a clear picture of what it means to be gay in the military. General Vance Coleman showed us how the arguments against repeal have already been used and defeated with his comparison to the desegregation of the armed forces. He was poignant and evocative. Thanks and kudos goes out to each one.

What an exciting day, and what an exciting future that lays ahead. No doubt more work still needs done, and servicemembers still need help, protection and representation. I can’t even begin to explain my excitement helping to take some of these steps to equality, but we still have to fight on and win. Hooah.

-Former Army Sergeant Daniel Pond

SLDN Legal Intern

With Enemies Like This....Who Needs Friends

2008-07-24T13:33:00.009-04:00

(Gen. Coleman, Captain Darrah and Former S/Sgt. Alva Testifying Before Congress)

This morning's Washington Post offers up a scathing critique of Elaine Donnelly's performance during yesterday's historic Congressional hearing on the impact of "Don't Ask, Don't Tell." Donnelly, President of the Center for Military Readiness, accomplished what many of us working to lift the ban on lesbians, gays and bisexuals in the military could only dream of -- consensus.

According to reporter Dana Milbank, "Donnelly treated the panel to an extraordinary exhibition of rage. She warned of 'transgenders in the military.' She warned that lesbians would take pictures of people in the shower. She spoke ominously of gays spreading 'HIV positivity' through the ranks," and her testimony "had the effect of increasing bipartisan sympathy for the cause."

Excellent testimony supporting repeal was provided by U.S. Army Major General Vance Coleman (Ret.), U.S. Navy Captain Joan E. Darrah (Ret.), and former Marine Staff Sgt. Eric F. Alva.

Click here to watch the video webcast of the hearing.

-Adam Ebbin

Friends in Unlikely Places

2008-07-24T09:12:00.002-04:00

Yesterday, the National Review published a strong and thoughtful article by the magazine’s contributing editor, Deroy Murdoch, calling for the repeal of “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell.”

“’Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell’ is a Clinton-era relic. It belongs in the Museum of the 1990s, wedged between the Nirvana CDs and shares of WorldCom stock,” writes Murdoch.

Click here to read the article in its entirety.

-Adam Ebbin

Hearing Excitement

2008-07-23T11:26:00.003-04:00

I am excited to hear that Congress is finally looking into “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell.” After having served more than eight years in the Army, I can tell you about the difficulties of living under this very tough law and policy. The fact that Congress decided to look at it again shows the changing attitudes towards lesbians, gays, and bisexuals serving openly.

Although I had an atypical experience in the Army, I know many people that did not. I did not serve as openly as I would have liked, however I also did not face the threats, harassment or abuse that many face today. I felt the love of serving outweighed my desire to come out, and therefore kept my sexual identity to myself. I knew many other gay or lesbian service members who served similarly. The need for this law, if it ever really existed, passed long ago.

I can only imagine an Army where I wouldn’t have to hide or dodge questions about with whom I hang out, date or even share a meal. I could attend a formal gathering with a date instead of making up lies about not having anyone to bring. I could actually have a normal conversation with people without constantly analyzing which pronouns I choose or taking care not to mention names. I could just let people know me for me, and not the me I put forward to protect myself and my career. To lift this ban, would lift the incredibly heaving burden weighing down all lesbian, gay or bisexual service members. And again, right now I can only imagine that Army.

This hearing before the House this week, while a step forward, remains only a step. Many more steps must follow in order for those things I can only imagine to become reality.

-Former Army Sergeant Daniel Pond
SLDN Legal Intern

The Testimony of Three Witnesses

2008-07-22T15:57:00.003-04:00

On the eve of historic Congressional hearings, SLDN Executive Director Aubrey Sarvis shares with the Huffington Post, the identities of the three patriotic men and women who will step forward and give testimony on the urgent need to repeal "Don't Ask, Don't Tell."

In his article, Sarvis discusses the importance of the hearings and predicts, "in the not too distant future the era of 'Don't Ask, Don't Tell' will seem part of a sad and dusty past, vaguely unreal, like a dream, almost quaint." Click here to visit Huffington Post and learn what Sarvis is saying about "The Testimony of Three Witnesses.”

-Adam Ebbin

Tom Carpenter -- In His Own Words

2008-07-21T16:10:00.003-04:00

As a graduate of the U.S. Naval Academy, former Marine and most senior director of Servicemembers Legal Defense Network (“SLDN”), the hearing before the House Armed Services Military Personnel Subcommittee is a very significant and historic event to me. I am confident it is the beginning of the end of the misguided law known as “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell”.

When candidate Bill Clinton announced to some of my friends in Los Angeles that he would lift the ban on GLB servicemembers, little did he know the firestorm that would erupt during the first months of his administration when he tried to fulfill this pledge. He faced open opposition from the Joint Chiefs of Staff as well as leaders of both parties. As Congressional hearings began, the late Tom Stoddard, who was leading the Campaign for Military Service, an organization supporting lifting of the ban, asked me to come to Washington to help lobby Congress. Since the late Sen. Strom Thurmond had appointed me to the Academy, I was asked to meet with his staff and the staff of former Sen. Sam Nunn. This was not a pleasant mission. It was apparent to me, from the comments of these staff members, mostly retired military officers, that the best we could hope for was the compromise proposed by the late Charlie Moskos, which became known as “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell”. It was clear to me that this law was bankrupt from its inception for one simple reason- it was contrary to the military’s highest core values of honor and integrity.

In 1996, SLDN’s co-founders, Michelle Beneke and Dixon Osburn asked me to join the Board. I gladly accepted the invitation with the knowledge that the road ahead would be difficult and often painful. SLDN was at that time, as eloquently stated by retired Commander and present Board co-chair Zoe Dunning, the 911 for Servicemembers who ran afoul of this new law. Over the past 15 years SLDN has helped over 8,000 troops. During that same period nearly 12,500 have been discharged under the law and tens of thousands have left the service because they could no longer live a lie. I have met hundreds of these patriots- these are not mere numbers to me, but human beings who have suffered loss of careers and often abandonment by family and friends. Those who were discharged under the law are branded forever by their discharge certificate which states they were fired because of “homosexual conduct”, even though they did nothing more than tell the truth when asked about their sexual orientation. One of my closest friends, also a Naval Academy graduate and former Marine, became so depressed by the loss of his career, he took his own life. They are all casualties of a law that is un-American and must be repealed.

Thankfully, the American people get it. In several recent polls, 75 percent support open and honest service. There has been a sea change since 1993, and now is time for Congress to carry out the will of the people. With our country engaged in two wars and the land forces stretched to the breaking point, we need every patriot who wants to serve their country. The Military Readiness Enhancement Act (HR1246) would repeal the “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell” law. This bill has 143 co-sponsors in the House of Representatives. The hearing this week is the first step in the process of educating members of Congress about why the “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell” must go. I have great faith in the innate fairness of most of my fellow citizens-including members of Congress. This is their opportunity to right a wrong. If they listen to the compelling testimony about this injustice, I am confident they will find their way to do what is clearly in the best interest of the country we all love- repeal the “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell” law by enacting the Military Readiness Enhancement Act.

-Tom Carpenter

Why Should You Care?

2008-07-21T16:04:00.002-04:00

I care deeply about repealing the “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell’ law that prohibits lesbian, gay and bisexual service members from serving openly in the US military. But then, I am just a little biased. I retired from the Air Force last year after a 22 year career and a first-hand view of the impact of serving in the closet. The pretentious duplicity of gays and lesbians pretending not to be gay while the military pretends they don’t know we are serving is absolutely ludicrous and serves no one. Not the gays and lesbians who can’t bring their whole self to work, and not the military that is forced to waste precious resources on the discharges of those who are found out (often by someone else outing them out of retribution). That’s why, once I retired, I volunteered to support the Servicemembers Legal Defense Network (SLDN). SLDN provides free legal services to service members who get into trouble due to “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell” and they are leading the fight to repeal the failed law.

Maybe you don’t care that 12,500 service members have been discharged since the “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell” law was implemented in 1994. Neither are you impressed that DoD had spent some $400 million in implementing the law. Finally, so what if 24 other nations (including Great Britain) have full open service for their gay and lesbian servicemembers?

I’m guessing that even if you don’t know any gay and lesbian servicemembers, if you are LGBT or a straight ally, you care about equal rights, don’t you? Did you know that “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell” is the only law in the US that mandates someone be fired for being gay- just for being who they are? Repealing this law is not just a military readiness issue, but also a civil rights issue. Just as the military led the way to abolish racial segregation (by President Truman’s executive order in 1948), it now finds itself on the front lines in the fight to end legal discrimination of the LGBT community. The good news is, that once given the charge; the military can make anything happen. In fact, once mandated to desegregate whites and blacks, integration in the Army took only five years to accomplish. That’s largely due to the nature of military life…superiors issue orders and subordinates follow them or get weeded out. A National Defense Research Institute (RAND) report also found that the military is very capable of changing “how troops behave toward previously excluded (and despised) minority groups, even if underlying attitudes toward those minority groups change very little.” They pointed out that “leadership” is what makes the difference.

Today, there are more than 65,000 LGB service members serving on active duty and the Guard and Reserves today; many of them in critical job skills and, they’ve served in every conflict since the Revolutionary War. There are also over one million gay veterans in the US today

A new study, recently released by the University of California’s Palm Center and conducted by four retired military officers, including the three-star Air Force lieutenant general who was integral to the implementation of “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell”, said that “evidence shows that allowing gays and lesbians to serve openly is unlikely to pose any significant risk to morale, good order, discipline or cohesion”. Navy Vice Admiral Jack Shanahan said he was struck by the loss of personal integrity required by individuals to carry out “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell.”

Seventy-five (75) percent of Americans in a new Washington Post–ABC News poll said that gay people who are open about their sexual orientation should be allowed to serve openly, up from 62% in early 2001and 44% in 1993.

HR 1246, the Military Readiness Enhancement Act, has 143 Congressional co-sponsors. This bill would repeal “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell” and replace it with a policy of non-discrimination in our armed forces.

So, I ask you to care about repealing the “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell” law because it is just the right thing to do, and it can lead the way to providing complete civil rights to our entire LBGT community. The hearing that will take place on Wednesday is historic and a major step in the right direction. It is only the beginning though. It is up to each of us to exercise one of the rights we currently enjoy…freedom of speech, to gain the rest of the rights we are entitled to. Click here to take action and sign SLDN’s petition to Congress telling them to pass the Military Readiness Enhancement Act and click here to join the grass roots effort. Each of us really does have the power to make a difference. Take a stand and make your difference today.

-Linda Thomas

Senator Nunn’s Last Chance

2008-07-18T11:44:00.003-04:00

With the Democratic and Republican presidential candidates finally confirmed, attention is turning towards who Senators Obama and McCain will choose as running mates. One of the names being suggested as a possible Vice Presidential material for Sen. Obama is former Georgia Senator Sam Nunn, one of the architects of the “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell” law.

In his most recent Huffington Post article, SLDN Executive Director Aubrey Sarvis takes on the rumors that Nunn will be selected by Obama as his running mate. Sarvis notes, "Nunn has got to go all the way on opening the military to qualified gays and lesbians who want to serve – not half way, as he’s been doing lately."

Click here to visit Huffington Post and learn why Sarvis is saying that this is “Senator Nunn’s Last Chance.”

-Adam Ebbin