Joined: Aug 2005 Gender: Male Posts: 4,261 Location: New York
Re: DON'T ASK, DON'T TELL & RELATED « Reply #30 on May 25, 2011, 1:02pm »
OUTSERVE Announces Armed Forces Leadership Summit Las Vegas 2011
We have been counting down this announcement as it now finally appears on the OUTSERVE website - An International Conference to be held October 13-16, 2011 in Las Vegas, Nevada, OutServe, the association of actively serving LGBT military personnel, announced today that they will host the first annual OutServe Armed Forces Leadership Summit in Las Vegas, Nevada, on October 13-16 2011 at New York-New York Hotel and Casino.
The OutServe Armed Forces Leadership Summit will provide an international forum on enhancing military readiness through encouraging an environment of respect with regard to sexual orientation and gender identity. It will provide the LGBT military community a means of building professional networks, sharing best practices and formulating strategies that help build a stronger military community. The Summit will feature respected and well-known authorities speaking on a range of topics, intriguing and groundbreaking panels, and interactive workshops that address diversity as a strength.
“We believe diversity is a force multiplier, and this conference will bring together veterans, active-duty military, and other experts to help us leverage LGBT inclusion for the benefit of military readiness,” said “JD Smith,” OutServe’s active-duty co-director, who is identified by a pseudonym while “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell” is still in effect. “Building an environment of mutual respect is ingrained in our military values, and as active-duty soldiers, sailors, airmen, and Marines who happen to be gay, that’s what we are working toward.”
It's great to see more and more GLBT Military groups forming. Only they know and understand their own issues, concerns, wants and needs. They know better than any other groups. And with the repeal of DADT becoming finalized soon, (hopefully) it's great to see that these groups are taking the bull by the horns early so that when DADT is just a memory, they'll have their groups firmly established for themselves. These military personnel are resourceful, intelligent and well abled to handle their own issues rather than letting others tell them how they should be doing things. This conference will go a long way in establishing credibility for their branches and will let the military know that there are a lot of GLBT members within their ranks. Cops don't do what the military does and the military doesn't do what cops do.
Joined: Aug 2005 Gender: Male Posts: 4,261 Location: New York
Re: DON'T ASK, DON'T TELL & RELATED « Reply #31 on Jun 29, 2011, 4:59pm »
Gay Patriot Discharges Continue Even as DADT’s End Draws Near
Discharges of gay and lesbian patriots in uniform are ongoing, even as the anticipated end of the anti-gay law from 1993, "Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell" (DADT), draws near. The end of the law, which Congress voted to repeal last December, is expected to take place at some point in mid-summer. Until then, however, gay and lesbian troops must still hide the truth about their personal identities, lest they be discharged under the law.
DADT says that gays may serve in uniform only as long as they do not disclose their true sexuality. But over the course of the law’s long tenure, servicemembers who did not disclose their sexuality have also been forced out when others turned them in -- sometimes after snooping through personal property such as letters.
A June 27 Advocate.com article said that the Pentagon admitted gay and lesbian troops were still being discharged.
"A total of four airmen have been discharged under the policy in the last several weeks, Pentagon spokeswoman Eileen Lainez confirmed Monday," the Advocate.com article said.
According to the spokesperson, the four servicemembers had self-identified as gay or lesbian and asked to be discharged.
But a June 27 statement from Servicemembers Legal Defense Network (SLDN) said that at least two others were headed for discharge unwillingly.
"Unfortunately, SLDN has a client right now who was recently recommended for discharge at a board hearing, and his paperwork is headed to the Navy Secretary," said the group’s director, Aubrey Sarvis. "He made no statement, and he wants to continue serving.
"We have another client who is having a board hearing later this week, and if this senior enlisted person is recommended for discharge, her paperwork will likely be before the Navy Secretary in short order," Sarvis added. "She, too, wishes to continue serving.
In an order issued by a unanimous three-judge panel of the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit, U.S. District Court Judge Virginia Phillips's judgment halting the worldwide enforcement of "Don't Ask, Don't Tell" as a result of her decision in Log Cabin Republicans v. United States has been put back in effect.
DADT cannot be enforced, per the order, unless the government gets a stay of the order from either the Ninth Circuit or the U.S. Supreme Court pending an appeal of today's decision.
Cynthia Smith, a Department of Defense spokeswoman, tells Metro Weekly that Pentagon officials "are studying the ruling with the Department of Justice" but added, "We will of course comply with orders of the court, and are taking immediate steps to inform the field of this order."
The three-judge panel -- Judges Alex Kozinski, Kim Wardlaw and Richard Paez -- decided to lift the appellate court's earlier stay of Phillips's order pending the appeal of the LCR case because, the judges write, "The circumstances and balance of hardships have changed, and appellants/cross-appellees can no longer satisfy the demanding standard for issuance of a stay."
Among the circumstances cited by the court are the July 1 filing in Karen Golinski's federal case seeking health insurance benefits for her wife and the related earlier Feb. 23 letter from Attorney General Eric Holder declaring that he and President Barack Obama had decided that heightened scrutiny applies to classifications -- such as DADT.
The judges also note that "the process of repealing Section 654 [-- the DADT law --] is well underway, and the preponderance of the armed forces are expected to have been trained by mid-summer." Smith echoed this fact, writing to Metro Weekly, "Implementation of the DADT repeal voted by the Congress and signed in to law by the President last December is proceeding smoothly, is well underway, and certification is just weeks away."
Alex Nicholson, the executive director of Servicemembers United and a plaintiff in the case, issued a statement, saying, "With the wait for certification dragging out beyond a reasonable time frame, the Court has once again stepped in to require the Pentagon to stop enforcing 'Don't Ask, Don't Tell,' and this time it very well may be for good."
Joined: Aug 2005 Gender: Male Posts: 4,261 Location: New York
Re: DON'T ASK, DON'T TELL & RELATED « Reply #33 on Jul 25, 2011, 6:16pm »
Don't Ask, Don't Tell dies for good on 20 September
America's infamous military gay ban – Don't Ask Don't Tell – will be fully and permanently dead on 20 September.
It already can't be enforced against active-duty troops, courtesy of the 9th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals.
But on 22 July, military readiness to implement Congress' repeal of the ban was certified by Defense Secretary Leon Panetta; Adm. Michael Mullen, chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff; and President Barack Obama, setting in motion a 60-day waiting period until the policy is history.
The certification confirms that the armed forces' implementation of the repeal and the transition to open service will not affect "military readiness, military effectiveness, unit cohesion, and recruiting and retention of the armed forces," Panetta said.
"The final countdown to repeal begins today," said Servicemembers Legal Defense Network Executive Director Aubrey Sarvis, who urged Obama to now issue an executive order banning anti-gay discrimination and harassment in the military.
"Signing legislation that allows for repeal of Don't Ask, Don't Tell was necessary but it is not sufficient for ensuring equality in the military," Sarvis said. "It's critical that gay and lesbian service members have the same avenues for recourse as their straight counterparts when it comes to harassment and discrimination."
SLDN also promised to advocate for legally married service members to receive the same benefits as their straight counterparts, and to assist veterans in correcting or upgrading discharge paperwork.
Human Rights Campaign President Joe Solmonese called Obama's certification of repeal "a monumental step not just for those forced to lie in order to serve but for all Americans who believe in fairness and equality."
Joined: Aug 2005 Gender: Male Posts: 4,261 Location: New York
Re: DON'T ASK, DON'T TELL & RELATED « Reply #34 on Aug 18, 2011, 6:28pm »
Dan Choi Blasts Obama, Prepares for Trial
Former Lt. Dan Choi certainly knows how to stare down his opponents, but he faces the prospect of six months in prison when he goes on trial in federal court in Washington, D.C., on Aug. 29.
Federal authorities arrested Choi and 12 others from GetEQUAL in Nov. 2010 after they handcuffed themselves to the White House fence. Choi faces charges he violated a federal regulation that bans "interfering with agency functions"-in this case refusing to obey an order from the National Park Service, but Choi contends that federal authorities are using an arcane law that was last used against suffragette Alice Paul nearly a century ago to silence him from criticizing President Barack Obama and his handling of the repeal of ’don’t ask, don’t tell.’ He also refused to accept a plea deal in the case.
"It was clearly because we were fighting for gay rights and we said some things that annoyed the president," Choi told EDGE during a fundraiser he hosted for possible New York City Council candidate Yetta Kurland in Fire Island Pines, N.Y., on Sunday, Aug. 14. Kurland, a lawyer, will represent Choi at his trial.
Obama and the Pentagon certified the repeal of DADT late last month. The Clinton-era law will officially end on Sept. 20, but Choi remains adamant that Obama mismanaged DADT from the start.
Joined: Sept 2005 Gender: Male Posts: 1,939 Location: Venice, Florida
Re: DON'T ASK, DON'T TELL & RELATED « Reply #35 on Aug 19, 2011, 11:32am »
Dan Choi, the worlds biggest media whore, can blast Obama all he likes. He thinks that Obama didn't move fast enough to suit him. Give me a break. Does he really think that Bachman, Pawlenty, Ron Paul, Mitt Romney, Newt Gingrich, Rick Santorum or any of the other Iowa wannabes would treat him better than Obama? He needs to wake up and smell the coffee.
Joined: Aug 2005 Gender: Male Posts: 4,261 Location: New York
Re: DON'T ASK, DON'T TELL & RELATED « Reply #36 on Aug 19, 2011, 1:24pm »
Dan Choi, at some point, made the conscious decision to make things all about himself. (Shocker in our community, right???!!! ) Imagine what would happen to a uniformed Police Officer if he or she chained themselves to the fence around their Department Headquarters. Whether you feel you're right about any issue, that can only hurt you and set your issue back. As I said, it became all about him. Yes, I know that when we first started hearing about him, he seemed to be on the money and had all the right intentions. But he fell into the trap that so many other gay people fall into. I call it the "I Want To Be A Star" syndrome. So now, I believe that everything he does is choreographed and planned so that it makes for good reading when he finally writes his book, which you know he will. Or when he gets his TV show...or whatever his final personal aim is. He has done some things that have helped but he's done a lot of things that have harmed and made his community look foolish. Purposefully getting arrested in uniform does NOT make you a hero. Unfortunately some sheep in our community look at some of his actions as heroic.
Now he stands to lose his pension and a lot of other things. Any penalties that come out of his situation are because of his own doing. He should know better.
Joined: Aug 2005 Gender: Male Posts: 4,261 Location: New York
Re: DON'T ASK, DON'T TELL & RELATED « Reply #37 on Sept 13, 2011, 2:57pm »
How should gay troops behave after ‘don’t ask, don’t tell’ ends?
Once the military ends its “don’t ask, don’t tell” policy on Sept. 20, can troops announce that they’re gay? Yes. Can they attend parties celebrating the end of the ban? Yes. Can they help raise money for a gay rights group? Not if it’s on a military base.
With the Defense Department preparing to end its 18-year ban on gays in uniform next Tuesday, gay rights groups are reminding the rank and file about the Pentagon’s policy on political activity as several U.S. military facilities are expected to host parties marking the ban’s end.
“We expect that most of the DADT repeal celebrations will be just that — celebrations of the repeal of a bad law. No special rules apply to attendance at or participation in such events,” according to the Servicemembers Legal Defense Network, a legal group representing troops affected by the ban.
According to military policy, troops should be allowed to attend the events, wear their uniforms and “speak as individuals about the importance of repeal to them personally and to the services generally,” SLDN said in a memo to troops published Monday. “They may say that they are happy and proud that they now do not have to hide their sexual orientation,” the memo said, but “they should not, of course, criticize their commanders (or past commanders) or elected officials or urge the election or defeat of candidates for office.”
Troops may also attend nonpartisan political events — such as parties hosted by gay rights groups — but may not wear their uniforms or do anything to suggest official sponsorship or endorsement, SLDN said.
Joined: Aug 2005 Gender: Male Posts: 4,261 Location: New York
Re: DON'T ASK, DON'T TELL & RELATED « Reply #38 on Sept 20, 2011, 12:27pm »
DADT’s End Sparks Celebrations, Underscores Remaining Disparities
The official repeal of "Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell," the 18-year-old law that kept gay and lesbian patriots out of the Armed Forces unless they were willing to keep their sexuality a closely guarded secret, is scheduled to take effect Sept. 20.
"Tomorrow is a historic day for gay and lesbian service members and our nation as a whole," said the head of the Human Right Campaign, Joe Solmonese, in a Sept. 19 media release.
" ’Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell’ was a stain on our nation -- not only did it damage our military readiness and national security, but it sent a message that discrimination based upon sexual orientation was acceptable," Solmonese continued. "We know that not to be the case -- discrimination accomplishes nothing and tears at the fabric of our country’s strength.
"Beginning tomorrow, gay and lesbian service members previously discharged under DADT will have the opportunity to re-enlist," Solmonese noted. "Gay and lesbian Americans eager to serve the country but not willing to compromise who they are as individuals will, for the first time ever, be able to openly join. And brave men and women currently serving will have the freedom to come out and be honest with their comrades about who they are and who they love."
The anti-gay law served to keep highly qualified gay and lesbian servicemembers in the closet for fear of being separated from the service if their true sexuality was discovered. Despite the name by which it was popularly known, "Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell" could mean the end of a military career if a servicemember seeking to stay concealed as a gay or lesbian solider was outed by others, even when talent, hard work, exemplary conduct, and courage under fire led to commendations and stellar service records.
Previously closeted gay and lesbian troops are planning to come out publicly to mark the end of the anti-gay law. The co-founder and co-director of GLBT servicemember support group OutServe, JD Smith, is one such officer. The name JD Smith is a pseudonym, assumed to protect an Air Force officer who, according to a Sept. 19 media release, "graduated from the U.S. Air Force Academy several years ago in a top cadet leadership position."
Well it finally happened! We all knew it would. It was inevitable for many years. And congratulations to all active servicemen and women! And at the same time we remember all those thousands who served in silence since the beginning of the military in the USA. And those who died for our country while serving in that silence. Your sacrifice is not diminished because you served in silence.
There are celebrations now as there should be but now is the time when our servicemembers shine by just being themselves! They will continue to serve with the dignity that they have always served with. I've always said that the repeal of DADT would be a giant domino that falls and that other inequities would fall as well afterward. I'm hoping that is true. There are a number of states that have marriage equality now but there will be more. The earth didn't shake and quake at midnight last night. I haven't noticed any locusts yet. Or thunder or lightning. Straight servicemembers haven't committed mass suicide.
As important as this is, I hope this is just one of a series of boxes on the great checklist of things we need to accomplish in this country. Finally this box is checked off with a big checkmark!! Now....on to the next thing on the list. Things will be improving, I think!!!
Joined: Aug 2005 Gender: Male Posts: 4,261 Location: New York
Re: DON'T ASK, DON'T TELL & RELATED « Reply #40 on Oct 1, 2011, 12:19pm »
Chaplains May Marry Soldiers, Same-Sex Spouses
When the Pentagon announced a plan last May to allow military chaplains to perform marriages for gay and lesbian servicemembers and their spouses in marriage equality states, five dozen lawmakers raised such a howl that the military beat a prompt and hasty retreat to study the matter.
Now the Pentagon has come to much the same conclusion as before: Military chaplains will be permitted, but not required, to marry same-sex couples in which at least one partner is a member of the Armed Forces, the Wall Street Journal reported on Sept. 30.
Navy officials initially announced in May that chaplains would be permitted to preside over same-sex marriages in places where marriage equality is legal. A May 10 Associated Press article said that the decision had been made "after questions came up about civil ceremonies for gay couples."
The article added, "In earlier training guidelines issued by the Defense Department and the military services, same-sex marriage ceremonies were not mentioned, and therefore not explicitly prohibited."
Despite a finding that the anti-gay federal law the Defense of Marriage Act--which denies same-sex families any recognition whatsoever on the federal level--would not outlaw services by military chaplains, and despite assurances that no chaplains would be compelled against the tenets of their faith to preside over same-sex weddings, lawmakers piled on the announcement with vitriol and condemnation.
![[Search This Thread]](http://images.proboards.com/search2.gif "[Search This Thread]")
![[Share Topic]](http://images.proboards.com/new/buttons/share.png "[Share Topic]")
![[Print]](http://images.proboards.com/buttons/print.gif "[Print]")
Author
![[avatar]](http://img75.imageshack.us/img75/541/brokeback20boxing1bb.gif "[avatar]")
![[homepage]](http://images.proboards.com/buttons/www_sm.gif "[homepage]")
Logged![[image]](http://i43.tinypic.com/dw6o7t.jpg "[image]")
![[avatar]](http://img178.imageshack.us/img178/6518/discoballxxnj4.gif "[avatar]")
) Imagine what would happen to a uniformed Police Officer if he or she chained themselves to the fence around their Department Headquarters. Whether you feel you're right about any issue, that can only hurt you and set your issue back. As I said, it became all about him. Yes, I know that when we first started hearing about him, he seemed to be on the money and had all the right intentions. But he fell into the trap that so many other gay people fall into. I call it the "I Want To Be A Star" syndrome. So now, I believe that everything he does is choreographed and planned so that it makes for good reading when he finally writes his book, which you know he will. Or when he gets his TV show...or whatever his final personal aim is. He has done some things that have helped but he's done a lot of things that have harmed and made his community look foolish. Purposefully getting arrested in uniform does NOT make you a hero. Unfortunately some sheep in our community look at some of his actions as heroic.
