Frontlines, The SLDN Blog

Whos Fit for Duty Now?

2009-11-05T19:55:28+00:00

A story in Wednesday’s Army Times reports that 75 percent of 17-24 year olds are ineligible to serve because they can’t meet basic standards. Most are overweight, don’t meet educational requirements, or have had run-ins with the law.

Former chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Gen. John Shalikashvili said the problem is an unprecedented one that has serious implications for national security:

“‘We’ve never had this problem of young people being obese like we have today. We should be concerned about how this will impact this overstretched Army and its ability to recruit.'”

The military is so concerned that dozens of retired top brass and civilian Pentagon officials have formed a group (Mission Readiness: Military Leaders for Kids) to call for immediate action to improve the quality of the recruitment pool.

Yet under “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell,” thousands of patriots – not only willing but qualified to serve – have been fired because they are gay or lesbian. It makes no sense. The young people who meet the very standards the military needs are being kicked out every day, even though sexual orientation has nothing to do with getting the job done. Up to two service members are discharged every day under DADT. Another 4,000 refuse to join or re-enlist each year because of this bad law.

Shalikashvili, who once defended DADT, now supports open service agrees that DADT is a further drain on an applicant pool in desperate need of young people who are fit for duty.

Glaring Omissions from the Washington Times

2009-11-03T17:15:28+00:00

The Washington Times speculated yesterday that Marine Commandant James Conway might be gearing up to become a lead opponent of the repeal of “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell.” Until we learn more about General Conway’s views on DADT from Conway himself, and what the Obama Administration plans to do should the general move out on an advocacy agenda, we address the Times article by highlighting glaring omissions in Rowan Scarborough's heavily biased reporting.

Scarborough writes, "Most of the senior brass hold deep reservations about President Obama's pledge to end the ban on gays in the military." Most? Deep? Really? Show us the data. (There is none.)

Another omission was any reference to the generational divide within the military. Seventy-three percent of Iraq and Afghanistan veterans, who according to a 2006 Zogby poll are comfortable serving with gay people, unlike the older generation of retired flag officers mentioned in the article who served in the last century.

Fifty years of research conclude unequivocally that openly gay troops have no impact on unit cohesion, morale, or military readiness. That Scarborough and some Beltway media pundits continue to ignore this body of research while amplifying the bigotry of a few individuals is one of the greatest examples of modern journalistic malfeasance.

The Washington Times is after all the country’s conservative newspaper that actually published a totally unreliable, self-selective Internet poll regarding gays in the military. A professional pollster at ABC News compares reliability of that poll's methodology to a "rusted carbine.”

Picture of the Year (and Next?)

2009-11-03T16:21:28+00:00

As we eagerly watched President Obama sign into law last week the Matthew Shepard and James Byrd, Jr. Hate Crimes Prevention Act - the first major piece of civil rights legislation for the LGBT community - it dawned on us that many of those flanking the President on stage, applauding, were military men, including Chairman of the Joint Chiefs Admiral Mike Mullen and Secretary of Defense Robert Gates.

We could hyper-spin this scene about how pleased we were to see the nation’s senior military leadership celebrating the passage of this historic legislation for the LGBT community. But top military brass typically attend these kinds of signing ceremonies. Admiral Mullen and Secretary Gates were in attendance to ring in the increased funding for their military operations--not for unprecedented hate crimes legislation. Only 10 of the 655-page National Defense Authorization Act dealt with hate crimes.

But that's OK; the visual was priceless. We in fact would welcome an identical photo-op next year, same cast of characters huddled around the President signing the next defense budget. SLDN will be working to include a repeal of "don't ask, don't tell" in that budget bill.

And they say defense authorization bills aren't sexy.

For DADT repeal to be attached to the FY '11 defense budget, however, Congress and the White House need to move out, and quickly. Lawmakers should talk to service members who have been impacted by the gay ban. We're confident such conversations would underscore the sense of urgency to lay the political groundwork for repeal.

We've heard all the Washington excuses. The proverbial plate is too full right now. Or, there is only room on the plate for one big issue (health care). But every time an administration official or media pundit uses one of these excuses, they are effectively telling those fired or about to be fired under DADT to get over it, to have patience and to wait their turn. We’re sure this country’s gay patriots, who are fighting for your freedom and mine, deserve a bit more respect than this.

Clarence Page of the Chicago Tribune recently noted that Obama owes the 65,000 LGBT service members a timetable for action. The timetable is next year. We look forward to that photo-op.

Repeal Advocates Honored at Army and Navy Club

2009-10-29T22:00:33+00:00

There was a strong wind of optimism last night as a crowd of about 50 SLDN supporters — old and new — heeded the call to honor some of our fiercest advocates in the fight to repeal “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell.” These friends came because they know that now, at this political juncture, their resolute support is needed.

Representative Shelley Berkeley (D-NV), who has been an original co-sponsor of repeal legislation since its inception, was joined by freshman Representatives Eric Massa (D-NY), Chellie Pingree (D-ME), and Jared Polis (D-CO) at the Army and Navy Club here in D.C. Reps. Berkeley, Massa, Pingree, and Polis shared their thoughts on the fight for equality just hours after President Obama signed hate crimes legislation.

Polis, the first openly gay man elected to the House of Representatives, spoke of his dialogue with Chairman Ike Skelton of the House Armed Services Committee, during which he secured a commitment from the Chairman to hold DADT hearings before the end of the 111th Congress. Massa, a retired Navy officer who spoke often on the 2008 campaign trail about DADT repeal, exuberantly talked about needing the best and the brightest in the armed forces, especially in times of war. Pingree, who serves on the Armed Services Committee with Polis and Massa, took the opportunity to express her commitment to DADT repeal.

The tide has shifted. The congressional champions SLDN honored last night, and the dedicated donors who joined us, are just a few examples of how far we have come. Our service members have waited years for justice, but with friends like these, finally, they can see a little light at the end of the tunnel.

Conservative Newspapers Endorse Repeal

2009-10-23T17:03:00+00:00

“Those who wish to serve and are qualified should be allowed the honor of showing their loyalty and duty to country by joining the armed forces if they so desire.”

This isn’t a quote from the opinion pages of the New York Times or THE Advocate, but comes from an editorial that appeared Wednesday in the Fort Worth, Texas Star-Telegram. The editorial goes on to say DADT is a relic of the past “that is out of step with the times and now with public opinion.”

The Star takes the case for repeal a step further by calling on the Obama Administration to embrace a sense of urgency to end discrimination in the armed forces:

“Procrastination on this matter must come to an end. It is right that the president consult with his military leaders, but if he is serious about fulfilling his campaign promise and doing the right thing, he should be pressuring Congress on this issue even as he pushes on others on which he has called for change.”

The Charleston Gazette in West Virginia also took on DADT earlier this week, arguing that open service would not deplete the ranks of straight service members as repeal opponents claim. “In the past, conservative groups have warned that ‘straight’ soldiers will be upset and resign if open gays enlist. But the [Joint Force Quarterly] article said Canada and Great Britain ended their prohibitions, and ‘the result was no-effect.’”

Like the Star, the editorial board at the Gazette understands the times have changed and the country is ready for repeal. The paper noted, “America constantly grows more tolerant and accepting. Hostility to gays has faded, except among hard-core fundamentalists… We hope the new administration in Washington brings true equality to military service.”

It’s not just a majority of progressives who understand that sexual orientation is unrelated to job performance. DADT repeal is a goal shared by a majority of Americans, liberal and conservative, as indicated by the latest Gallup poll -- 58 percent of conservatives think gays should serve openly.

Americans are hands down for scrapping this bad law. Now let’s get it done.

Join SLDN at Chicagos Sidetrack

2009-10-20T14:47:04+00:00

The call to repeal “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell” has hit mainstream America – so much so that “Saturday Night Live” this past weekend took a stab at satirizing the law, which deprives our armed forces of the patriotic Americans whose only “transgression” is their sexual orientation.

As featured speaker at Chicago’s Freedom to Serve Cocktail reception, I will share with supporters how SLDN is actively engaging the President and Congress every day to help build support for repeal of “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell” once and for all.

You can help us ensure all patriots have the freedom to serve. Join us at 7:30-9:30 p.m., Wednesday, October 21, 2009, at Sidetrack - 3349 N. Halsted, Chicago, IL 60657. A $15 donation is suggested. Look forward to seeing you there.

Click here to RSVP.

SNL Takes DADT To Task In 2 Gay Guys in the Military, 300 Skits

2009-10-19T22:00:36+00:00

As DADT continues to move into the political spotlight, it should come as no surprise that “Saturday Night Live” took a few swings at the policy during its most recent episode. SNL tackled DADT in two skits this past Saturday, one of which featured the show’s recurring “New Jersey Gay Couple” characters dressed in uniform. The other skit, a satirical interpretation of SNL host Gerard Butler’s 2007 hit action film "300," centered on the ancient Greek warrior’s failed attempts to justify his inaction in repealing DADT.

"Two Gay Guys in the Military"

"300"

Like The Daily Show and The Colbert Report, SNL is ultimately a comedy show. However, it is also an undeniable political force (just consider the effect Tina Fey’s portrayal of Sarah Palin had on voters in 2008). These skits will likely inspire conversation among family, friends, and co-workers. I urge you to watch, laugh, and then forward these videos along to get the dialogue rolling.

Help Atlanta Power Couple Support All Our Troops

2009-10-19T21:27:38+00:00

We often hear the words “we support our troops.” I just heard it on the radio this morning in an ad for a veteran-related charity. When I hear those words, I always wonder, “do you support all our troops—or do you support only those who are straight?”

SLDN is blessed to have thousands of constituents from all walks of life who support every single service member on active duty or in the reserves. Their support is based on the dedication of these men and women to our country and their willingness to put their lives on the line to defend our American freedoms. Their support is not based on the color of skin, religion, or sexual orientation. It flows from love of country, not discrimination.

Two of these goods souls hail from Atlanta, Georgia. They have been referred to in the Southern Voice as “Atlanta power-couple and attorneys, Jeff Cleghorn and Kevin Kirby,” but we at SLDN know them simply as tireless and committed supporters of our troops—all our troops.

Jeff, a former officer in the Army’s Intelligence Corps, worked on behalf of our service members at SLDN after graduating from the George Washington University Law School in 1999 (where he was a classmate and friend of my partner). Since leaving SLDN’s employ, Jeff and his partner, Kevin, have continued to support the troops, especially those who serve despite being subjected to “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell.”

On October 24, Jeff and Kevin are encouraging others to join them. They will host a fundraiser at their home to support SLDN’s work on behalf of those women and men whose service often is forgotten or denigrated. We appreciate Jeff and Kevin’s dedication. When they say “we support our troops,” they mean it. Click here to RSVP.

Repeal Opponents Grow Louder as Battle Heats Up

2009-10-16T17:06:49+00:00

Over the last week, we’ve seen an uptick in support for “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell” repeal. At the recent HRC Dinner in Washington, President Obama gave his strongest assurance yet that he would work with Congress to lift the ban. “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell” dominated the news around the National Equality March, and as of today we have 181 cosponsors behind the Military Readiness Enhancement Act (HR 1283), the bill to repeal DADT.

As support builds, however, we also see the far right coming out of the woodwork with ignorance and fear. They sense that things are changing and are desperate to turn back the clock on repeal:

On Sunday, Elaine Donnelly of the Center for Military Readiness accused President Obama of undermining national security by supporting the freedom to serve.

An opinion column in the Washington Times on Tuesday claimed that Obama’s commitment to end DADT amounts to an “assault” on the military.

The Family Research Council also attacked gay and lesbian service in a broadcast on Federal News Radio earlier this week.

The fight for repeal will only intensify in coming weeks and months. This is no time to be drowned out by hysteria and the prejudice of the past. Recommit to telling the truth about DADT, and to telling our nation’s leaders that words alone are no substitute for taking action on repeal today.

The Momentum Builds in the House of Representatives

2009-10-16T16:24:46+00:00

“We should not be punishing patriotic Americans who have stepped forward to serve the country. We should be celebrating their willingness to step forward and show such courage ... especially when we are fighting two wars.”

These words were spoken by our Commander in Chief, President Barack Obama, last Saturday as he pledged once again to end “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell.” One day later, an estimated 200,000 people descended on Washington, marching to the Capitol and demanding equality for all. I was among that group last Sunday, and since then I can tell you that here in Washington, and on the Hill, you can feel a surge…people are beginning to pick up on the urgency and intensity for repeal. This momentum is reflected in the number of cosponsors that have signed onto the Military Readiness Enhancement Act, HR 1283, over the past week. Late last night, Kurt Schrader of Oregon joined fellow freshman colleagues, Bill Foster of Illinois and Scott Murphy of New York (a member of the Armed Services Committee) as cosponsors of the bill. Along with Charles Rangel of New York, that is four cosponsors in just three days.

What does this mean? We must work even harder for our brave LGBT patriots silently serving our country. The opposition has sensed a change in the air and is rearing its ugly head. In case you missed it, check out what Rep. Louie Gohmert of Texas said last week about those who wish to serve and protect our country. Yes, it’s true, he compares gay and lesbian service members to pedophiles, necrophiliacs, and zoophiles. His comments were not made on a talk show program, or in some town hall. These shameful comments were made, unbelievably, on the floor of the House of Representatives.

Please help us push back against our opposition. Donate as much money or time that you possibly can. And please, please, please click on the button above “Keep up the Pressure,” to find your state and see if your member is on board. There you will find out how to contact your member of Congress and direct them to push for the passage of HR 1283.

“Salty, Blue Collar Guys”

2009-10-15T19:27:48+00:00

Media coverage on DADT hasn’t let up since last weekend’s National Equality March. Andrew Sullivan is back at it with yet another piece on DADT. Yesterday, he published a veteran’s personal account of how participating in a discharge hearing changed his stance on open service.

From the post:

“I was an active duty Navy officer from 1990-95 stationed on a Ticonderoga Class cruiser based in Norfolk, and in spite of being fairly liberal and the son of hard-core Kennedy Democrats, I was a bit skeptical of gays in the military (military cohesion and all that) and thought DADT was a decent compromise. That is, I was a supporter until I actually had to participate in a discharge hearing for one of my sailors.

“The shipboard legal officer (not an attorney, but ostensibly his defense lawyer) started the process and it became very clear this policy was, in a word, stupid. His entire chain of command from his Leading Petty Officer (E5) to his Chief Petty Officer (E7) to me, his Division Officer, gave him stellar reviews and testified to his hard work and excellent seamanship. To see these salty, blue collar guys give impassioned defenses of this sailor was eye-opening to say the least. They could not have cared less what he did or whom he spent time with on liberty, but they wanted him to stay part of our crew. I cannot recall exactly how he defended himself, but I do recall that he essentially had no options - it was a done deal. Our CO had no option either and I could tell it tore him up. The sailor was discharged with an OTH (Other Than Honorable). This was about 1994, and I can imagine these types of attitudes have become even more pervasive. I fully understand this was not a ground combat unit in Iraq or Afghanistan, but Navy ships are obviously very close quarters and the deployments were all too real. Based on this experience, I believe this policy should be repealed as soon as possible. We simply cannot afford to lose quality members of our Armed Forces.”

While this Navy officer’s experiences date back to DADT’s infancy, it shows that attitudes within the military have been steadily changing. The next generation of top brass – today’s Iraq and Afghanistan war veterans – understand that being gay or lesbian has nothing to do with job performance. Support for DADT is cracking under the test of time. Yet the military continues to discharge honorable and skilled patriots every day.

But as we await repeal, service members like Tom, a gay navy shipman interviewed this week by San Diego’s “10 news”, continue to serve in silence.

Sullivan on Repeal

2009-10-14T20:45:09+00:00

Andrew Sullivan is all over DADT, writing several posts on the issue. He examines the rift on the right over LGBT equality, but most compelling was his publishing a note from a Marine veteran, who wrote:

“Homosexual men and women needed to suffer publicly. They needed to be beaten and keep standing. They needed to be promoted into powerful non-commissioned officer ranks. There needed to be gay drill instructors who put recruits in awe of their abilities. There had to be openly gay marine and soldier heroes to show the homophobes that they are wrong, just as Blacks, Hispanics, and Asians, and all the rest have done.”

HuffPo: Rousing Speech, Mr. President, But the Pressure Continues

2009-10-11T04:33:19+00:00

Rousing Speech, Mr. President, But the Pressure Continues
HUFFINGTON POST
October 10, 2009

First the good news. For the first time as president, Barack Obama said at the Human Rights Campaign extravaganza in Washington Saturday evening, "I will end 'don't ask, don't tell.' That is my commitment to you."

It was hard to doubt his sincerity. And he gave a number of the usual good reasons for abolishing the no-gays-need-apply policy: aside from the compelling matter of simple justice and fairness, the military needs men and women, regardless of sexual orientation; you don't have to be straight to translate Arabic; no one is defined solely by sexual orientation or gender identity; and so on.

And now let's deal with the critical missing links. The president, fresh from his Nobel Prize for Peace, didn't mention anything about a timeline, and as he has said on other occasions, nothing happens in Washington without a timeline. Nothing will happen without a bill to sign, either, and he didn't tell us that he's asking Congress to send him one. In fact--and I hate to say this because I still have a lot of hope in this president--he missed an opportunity tonight.

Specifically, he didn't say how or when he's going to get the DADT law abolished and a new law passed that eliminates statutory prejudice against LGBT people and institutes open service.

"I'm here with a simple message," he began to prolonged applause: "I'm here with you in that fight." A little later he directly confronted an inconvenient truth: "Progress may be taking longer than you would like," but he added that we should never doubt the destination. I do not doubt it. I do not doubt the president's commitment. I just wonder how and when we're going to get there, and he was notably short of specifics on that.

But on the bright side, "it's not for me to counsel you to be patient." Good. Hundreds or our service members discharged just since President Obama took office and another 65,000 LGBT patriots now serving on active or reserve duty continually looking over their shoulder and the threat of discharge always in their minds, they don't allow us to be patient even if we wanted to be.

"Continue to pressure me," the president urged. Not to worry, Mr. President, we will--starting tonight and Sunday with the Equality March. As I've said before, what we're marching for is nothing special--and that is exactly the point. We're marching because we want what virtually every other American already has: equal treatment under the law, in the military and in every area of life to which such basically un-American laws as "don't ask, don't tell" and the Defense of Marriage Act extend.

Lest you misunderstand, Mr. President, your speech tonight illuminated the situation of LGBT Americans in a way no presidential speech in American history has done. It offered insight and texture, and laid the core foundation of the argument for full citizenship and participation in the American dream. The question will be, as some of the commentators noted afterwards, how to get this done, including how to get DADT repealed in 2010. The speech was dead on. We know that's what you want. The machinery of Congress and your Administration, including Secretary Gates the Department of Defense, must now come together before the Senate "don't ask, don't tell" hearing takes place this fall.

Now's the time to lead, Mr. President. Show us how to get there.

Read more at: http://www.huffingtonpost.com/aubrey-sarvis/rousing-speech-mr-preside_b_316552.html

Stand Up for Women in the Armed Forces at National Equality March

2009-10-09T16:22:52+00:00

This weekend thousands of Americans will come to Washington to demand that our government make some actual progress on guaranteeing our LGBT citizens' civil rights. I'll be one of them taking to the streets.

A colleague asked me why I would do this and what did I hope to gain by it. Answering the latter was very easy - I want our elected officials to shut up with the platitudes and rhetoric concerning my rights and actually get off their collective asses, grow spines (I'd like to say another anatomical part but I'm being polite), show some moral courage to do what they know is right, demonstrate some leadership, and pass legislation that makes real my rights as an American - to be able to serve my country honestly; to have my family recognized by our civil authorities with all of the attending obligations and privileges; and to be safe in my home, my person and my job from threats motivated by ignorant bigotry. Simply put, I want to gain those rights that I went to war to protect, those same rights that many other Americans take for granted, nothing more, and damn sure, nothing less.

As for the former question, I am marching because it is my duty as an American to do so. Not only as a member of the LGBT community but as a patriot and a veteran. Our first amendment guarantees our right to "petition the government for a redress of grievances." That right has meaning only if it is exercised and certainly there are grievances that need to be redressed and actions taken to repeal DADT, DOMA and pass ENDA and hate crimes protection. Thousands "peaceably assembling" to voice their opinion to their elected officials is exactly what our founders envisioned in writing the Constitution. The seal of the Department of the Army includes the motto, "This we'll defend." It means defending those American ideals and values that bind us as a nation. We only enjoy those rights we are willing to fight for and defend. If LGBT Americans want their rights they must be willing to fight for them - by marching in the street, by voting in the election booth, and by coming out of the closet and saying loudly, "Here I stand; I am an American and I'll be damned if you will treat me otherwise."

It is disheartening that the "Don't Ask, Don't Tell" law prohibits the 65,000 American patriots currently serving from standing up for themselves. This ignorant law demands that men and women remain in the closet - while defending our great nation and, if needed, sacrificing themselves as we are at war.

A further injustice is that this law disproportionately affects the women who answer the call to duty. Women make up roughly 14 percent of the personnel in the Army, for example, but reflect more than one-third - 36 percent - of those discharged under this law. This discrepancy exposes the insidious underpinnings of DADT and demonstrates that it is based on the bigoted perceptions and stereotypes of others. Continued coddling of these narrow-minded attitudes undermines our national defense and corrodes our Core Values. That such a law as DADT stays on the books reflects that we are far from attaining full equality. Sexism and homophobia will continue to poison our nation's laws unless we seize the moment to speak out against these infringements upon our liberty.

This Saturday, Oct. 10th, I will join supporters of "Don't Ask, Don't Tell" repeal for an SLDN reception at Nellie's Sports Bar in Washington, D.C. from 4-6 p.m. We will gather to prepare for the march and to discuss the uniquely harmful impact of this discriminatory law on our nation's brave service women. If you are in town this weekend, I hope you'll join us for some fellowship as we rally the troops before Sunday's National Equality March.

HuffPo: It’s Chow Time at the White House, Brother

2009-10-08T21:43:10+00:00

It's Chow Time at the White House, Brother
HUFFINGTON POST
October 8, 2009

The Servicemembers Legal Defense Network is joining Sunday's National Equality March in Washington because the patience of the LGBT community is running thin with what appears to be President Obama's inaction on issues of great importance to us.

What gays and lesbians are looking for--and will be marching for on Sunday--is nothing special, and that is exactly the point. It's what virtually every other American already has: equal treatment under the law, not just in the military but in every area of life to which such prejudicial laws as "don't ask, don't tell" and the Defense of Marriage Act extend.

"Justice delayed, is justice denied," Queen Victoria's Prime Minister William Gladstone famously said. We've been waiting for justice for a very long time and it cannot be delayed much longer. You can feel the momentum building, and as the momentum builds, the dominoes fall. Sunday's National Equality March is the sound of another domino falling.

The President's National Security Advisor General James Jones, his Secretary of Defense Robert Gates, and the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Admiral Mike Mullen have all played variations on those old songs: "when the time is right" and "President Obama has a full plate right now." But those arguments are not playing any more. You know the full-plate argument is finished when Jon Stewart says on national television, "It's chow time, brother. That's how you get things off your plate."

No one would deny that the president's plate is full to overflowing, and the enormous and urgent problems he faces would overwhelm most people: intractable wars in Afghanistan and Iraq and dissension within the Executive Branch (not to mention Congress) on how to deal with them; a fractious political debate going on over health care, the end result of which will affect the life of every one of us to a singular degree; the worst recession since the 1930s. But grave as these problems are, they cannot overwhelm the president. That's why we elected him, not to be overcome by the problems but to overcome the problems.

As Jon Stewart said on his "Daily Show" on Comedy Central, "Remember, you're the president of America. When your plate gets too full, you get up and get another plate."

You know the days of DADT are numbered when Elaine Donnelly's endlessly repeated arguments against gays in the military (all coming down to disrupting "unit cohesion") are demolished not only on Anderson Cooper's "360" but in the latest issue of the Pentagon's own flagship publication, Joint Force Quarterly. Ms. Donnelly is reduced to saying of Air Force Colonel Om Prakash's prize-winning essay, "It won a contest, that's all." Oh.

The two epigraphs to that essay nicely summarize Ms. Donnelly's arguments against open service. Here is a U.S. Senator: "There is no more intimate relationship . . . they eat and sleep together. They use the same facilities day after day. They are compelled to stay together in the closest association." And here is an Army general officer on the same subject. "Experiments within the Army in the solution of social problems are fraught with danger to efficiency, discipline, and morale."

The only problem with these arguments is that they were made by Senator Richard Russell (D-Ga.) and General Omar Bradley in opposition to President Truman's 1948 Executive Order to integrate the races in the military. That doesn't stop Ms. Donnelly, however, any more than did Colonel Prakosh's essay in the flagship journal of the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff.

You know the days of DADT are numbered when the president's inaction on opening up the military (among other things) makes it to NBC's "Saturday Night Live" and is the frequent object of ridicule on Rachel Maddow's show. Rep. Patrick Murphy (D-Pa.), veteran of Iraq and lead sponsor of H.R. 1283, which would repeal DADT, held a "Special Order Hour" in the House Tuesday night to highlight the law's impact on national security and to push for additional co-sponsors. (Check out his website, "Let Them Serve.") More dominoes down.

After reading Colonel Prakash's essay in JFQ, I wrote here last week that a fresh breeze was blowing through the Pentagon. That may be and let us hope that it is so, but the breeze seems to have barely ruffled a leaf on the White House lawn. It does not seem to have stirred a paper on the desk of General Jones. The President's National Security Advisor told John King on CNN's "State of the Union" Sunday that the president would take up DADT "at the right time. . . . I don't think it's going to be--it's not years, but I think it will be teed up appropriately." I think we've heard that before--but "not years"? Not a good sign. Not at all. (Perhaps President Obama will offer a clarification Saturday evening.)

I'm sure that General Jones' offhand remark provided no comfort to Lieutenant Colonel Victor Fehrenbach, a much medaled Iraq war hero and an SLDN active-duty client set to be discharged under DADT. "The president told me in June, 'We'll get this done,'" Fehrenbach said. When? In General Jones' time or in the time zone the rest of us live in?

President Obama will be speaking at the Human Rights Campaign's annual fund-raising dinner in Washington Saturday night. That seems a good time for the president to tell Colonel Fehrenbach what he's waiting to hear, "specifically when the president plans on working with Congress to reverse the law."

More than 65,000 LGBT patriots will be listening to what Obama has to say about repealing "don't ask, don't tell." I said in an SLDN statement released today, "the clock is ticking. A clear time line from this White House and Congress is urgently needed. On Saturday evening we hope the President will call on Congress to partner with him on repeal and send him the Military Readiness Enhancement Act that he can sign into law next year."

David Wochner, who serves on the Victory Fund's Campaign Board, which carries a lot of weight in the LGBT community and in Congress, told Politico that he sees the president's "appearance at the dinner as a show of good faith. I'm willing to go on that."

I'm willing to go on that, too, for the time being. But my "time being" does not feel at all the same as General Jones' "it's not years."

It's a lot closer to Jon Stewart's, "It's chow time, brother."

DADT on the House Floor

2009-10-07T20:44:28+00:00

For the first time in a very long time, "Don't Ask, Don't Tell" was discussed on the floor of the House of Representatives here in Washington, D.C. Last night, eight members of Congress joined Congressman Patrick Murphy of Pennsylvania for a late night "special order" to shed some light on the need to repeal DADT and lift the ban that is hurting our military.

Rep. Murphy was first joined by Congressman Tim Walz of Minnesota, a command Sergeant Major in the US Army, who served his country for 24 years. Rep. Walz spoke to the fact that sexual orientation as an issue is a fallacy, that DADT does not strengthen our military, nor does it reflect the values we hold dear as a nation. One by one, members stepped up to the podium. Rep. Capps and Woolsey from California spoke to the need of repealing DADT to build recruitment and retention. They addressed the need to keep repeal a priority and at the forefront of our conscience. Rep. Jared Polis of Colorado waved the newest issue of Joint Forces Quarterly to the cameras, extolling the sound research of Col. Om Prakash's article, "The Efficacy of Don't Ask, Don't Tell." Mr. Polis relayed a story of a soldier currently serving, wanting to know if DADT would be repealed. He said to the Congressman that if it is repealed he would re-enlist. However, if the law is not overturned, he could not keep serving under threat of being fired for simply being who he is as a person.

A number of personal stories were shared: Rep. Quigley of Illinois shared how DADT had affected both Lee Reinhardt and Second Lt. Sandy Tsao. Rep. Baldwin of Wisconsin took to the microphone and spoke of how she had met with Lt. Col. Victor Fehrenbach, who is facing a discharge that grows ever more imminent. Perhaps one of the most poignant moments of the night came from Rep. Chellie Pingree of Maine. She related the story of how a soldier, fighting in Iraq for our freedom and security, had found out that his partner had died back here in the U.S. Being gay, this brave warrior could not grieve for his loss, could not speak to his comrades or commanders about his pain for fear of being fired and sent home discharged. So he simply had to stay put, continue his mission and mourn silently. This is truly what this fight is about: To give our fighting men and women the opportunity to be themselves; to rejoice in times of happiness and grieve in times of tragedy; to be able to get the mission done safely and come home to their loved ones; to not have to lie about who they are and fear retribution.

SLDN thanks all the members of Congress who spoke out on the need for repeal last night. Your voices carry far and wide.

Watch Rep. Murphy Discuss DADT Tonight on C-SPAN

2009-10-06T20:22:17+00:00

Rep. Patrick Murphy (D-PA), the first Iraq War veteran to be elected to Congress, will host a special order hour tonight to discuss why "Don't Ask, Don't Tell" hurts our military. As a veteran, Rep. Murphy understands why all qualified service members - regardless of their sexual orientation - are needed to keep our military strong. He is a tireless advocate who, as lead sponsor of HR 1283 (the Military Readiness Enhancement Act), has helped bring on board 26 new co-sponsors to the bill since July for a current total of 176. During tonight's special order hour, Murphy will be joined by many of his House colleagues who will also offer comment on DADT repeal. Murphy's address is expected to start at 9 p.m. EST tonight but could be later. Check the C-SPAN calendar here for the exact time.

Mobilizing for Freedom and Equality

2009-10-05T20:45:21+00:00

I love our country and I am very proud of our military. I served in the US Navy for almost 30 years. For much of my career I went to work each day in fear that I might be outed and that my career would be ended. An estimated 65,000 U.S. service members are currently serving under those conditions because of the DADT law. These service members are willing to do whatever our country asks and to help ensure freedom across the globe, yet they are not free or equal in their own country. DADT is a counterproductive, outdated, and un-American law. More than two dozen countries now allow gays to serve openly. In these countries gay people, like everyone else, are judged on their ability and demonstrated performance.

I am joining the March in hopes that this event will help to educate the public and our lawmakers about the inequities that gay people face under laws like DADT, and encourage grassroots support in this fight for full equality. I look forward to joining you at the March on Sunday Oct. 11, and hope you participate in the many DADT-related activities that will be taking place the day before on Saturday, including SLDN's happy hour at Nellie's Sports Bar (9th and V, NW) here in DC from 4-6 p.m. This will be a great opportunity to meet LGBT veterans and allies as we gather to support the freedom to serve for all patriots.

A Humble Officer

2009-10-02T18:15:58+00:00

Aviator. Warrior. Patriot. Hero. Those are just some of the images that come to mind whenever I speak to Lt. Col. Victor Fehrenbach. I had the privilege of first being introduced to the Lieutenant Colonel back in the spring of 2008 - when he first called SLDN to ask for assistance. It was a story I was all too familiar with - a dedicated service member who wanted nothing more than to make the military his career so that he could serve his country was outed by a civilian for no apparent reason. During that initial conversation - it didn't take me long to realize that the service member I was speaking to wasn't simply a decorated Air Force Aviator - a Weapons Systems Operator if you want to get technical (and for those of you who need a pop culture reference - think Goose in Top Gun) - he had the Air Force running through his veins. Literally. Both of Victor's parents were officers in the Air Force. He was born on an Air Force base. His sister was in the Air Force. He went to Notre Dame on a full ROTC Air Force scholarship. The Air Force has been his life for as long as he can remember and his dedication and passion for what he was born to do - fly upside down at 500 miles an hour - is apparent to anyone who meets him.

I finally had the opportunity to meet Victor face-to-face just before he appeared on the Rachel Maddow show earlier this year. He is exactly how he appeared on that show - humble, proud and determined to serve his country. If he can't finish his service as an officer in the Air Force, then he's determined to serve in another capacity. Victor's story has opened the hearts and minds of so many people all over this country - and with the airing of this story on BBC just two days ago - he's now reaching a worldwide audience. What kind of image are we portraying to the world when we are waging two wars - where we claim to be fighting for democracy and civil rights for those who are oppressed - when we still have basic government-sanctioned and government-mandated discrimination going on right here at home?

Lt. Col. Fehrenbach continues to serve on active duty today. He goes to work each and every day and continues to serve his country - each day wondering if this will be the day when he receives his official notice of discharge. This man has nine Air Medals, one for Valor which he earned for a particularly heroic combat mission in Iraq. We have spent an estimated $25 million training him to defend his country. He's got more than 400 hours of combat experience. He wants to serve. His fellow Airmen want him to serve. He's ready and willing to deploy at any time. It's time to end the discrimination. It's time to repeal Don't Ask, Don't Tell so Lt. Col. Fehrenbach can go back to doing what he loves to do - what he's been trained to do - and what his country needs him to do.

DADT Events During National Equality March

2009-10-01T21:44:15+00:00

SLDN will be participating in the National Equality March on October 11. Here are some DADT-focused events to check out:

Repealing DADT: Lobbying Tactics
DADT trainings taught by lobbyists from LGBT Military Advocacy groups
Oct 10, 2009 - 10:00am-12:00pm

Wreath Laying at Tomb of the Unknowns
Arlington National Cemetery
Oct 10, 2009 - 12:00pm

DADT Protest & Memorial Service Honoring Leonard Matlovich
Speakers Span Four Decades of Fighting the Ban on Gays in the Military
Oct 10, 2009 - 2:00pm

Students for the National Equality March Flash Protest
Student-led protest calling for repeal of DADT
Saturday, October 10 - time TBA

Cadence Run
Run with LGBT service members and veterans military style, around the memorials/monuments
Oct 11, 2009 - 8:00am

National Equality March
March for Equality!
Oct 11, 2009 - 12 noon

For more information or to RSVP, click here.

We Need Your Voices

2009-10-01T20:07:26+00:00

On Thursday, Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid (D-NV) sent a letter to President Obama and Department of Defense Secretary Gates, in which he reiterated his support for the repeal of "Don't Ask, Don't Tell" (DADT), shared the plight of Lt. Col. Victor Fehrenbach and Lt. Dan Choi, and asked the President and the Secretary to provide recommendations on DADT.

Although President Obama repeatedly spoke of his support for open service as a candidate, he has been nearly silent on the issue since becoming president. As Commander in Chief, President Obama is in the best position to bring about repeal. As the Majority Leader said in his letter, while Congress works on enacting repeal, it would be extremely helpful to hear from both the President and Defense Secretary that, as we fight two wars, the administration understands the need to fix this broken law and strengthen our military. Mr. President and Mr. Secretary, respectfully, please speak up...Our country, our armed forces and our Congress need to see leadership and hear that this is a priority.

HuffPo: Fresh Breeze Blowing in the Pentagon

2009-10-01T17:26:48+00:00

Fresh Breeze Blowing in the Pentagon
HUFFINGTON POST
October 1, 2009

The 65,000 gays and lesbians in the military today, the 13,500 who have been discharged because of the law known as "don't ask, don't tell," my colleagues, and I have something we can really cheer about today: an Air Force colonel writing in the new issue of the "authoritative, official U.S. Department of Defense edition" of JFQ (Joint Force Quarterly) reiterates what we've been saying for a long time now: "It is not time for the administration to reexamine the issue; rather, it is time for the administration to examine how to implement the repeal of the ban."

That's the closest we've ever come to recognition in an official Pentagon publication that "don't ask, don't tell" has got to go, and go soon. Yes, there are the standard disclaimers--"the opinions, conclusions, and recommendations" are those of the author and "do not necessarily reflect the views of the Department of Defense"--but we can live with that. The Chairman of the Joint Chiefs, Admiral Michael Mullen, is, after all, the publisher of the scholarly quarterly that describes itself as "the Chairman's flagship joint military and security studies journal." Each issue begins with his own introductory column and the New York Times reports that his office reviewed the essay before publication.

The author of the prize-winning essay, Colonel Om Prakash, argues in four thousand forceful words against the ban on gays in the military and in favor of open service. It was written while he was a student at the National War College and it won the 2009 Secretary of Defense National Security Essay Competition--although, as I said earlier, it does not necessarily reflect Secretary Gates's views, either.

The Boston Globe broke the story Wednesday morning, and Elizabeth Bumiller followed up on the front page of the New York Times website Wednesday evening and inside its paper editions this morning.

Despite the standard disclaimers, the essay titled "The Efficacy of 'Don't Ask, Don't Tell' certainly sends a powerful signal that in Bob Dylan's words, "the times they are a-changin'." There seems to be a fresh breeze blowing in the Pentagon; now it has to blow through Capitol Hill and the White House.

Colonel Om cites five central issues in regard to the law. I am going to quote him in full. "First, [the law] has had a significant cost in both personnel and treasure. Second, the stated premise of the law--to protect unit cohesion and combat effectiveness--is not supported by any scientific studies. Strong emotional appeals are available to both sides. However, societal views have grown far more accommodating in the last 16 years, and there are now foreign military experiences that the United States can draw from. Third, it is necessary to consider the evidence as to whether homosexuality is a choice, as the courts have traditionally protected immutable characteristics. To date, though, the research remains inconclusive. Fourth, the law as it currently stands does not prohibit homosexuals from serving in the military as long as they keep it secret. This has led to an uncomfortable value disconnect as homosexuals serving, estimated to be over 65,000, must compromise personal integrity. Given the growing gap between social mores and the law, DADT may do damage to the very unit cohesion that it seeks to protect [italics mine]. Finally, it has placed commanders in a position where they are expected to know everything about their troops except this one aspect."

Colonel Om takes on each of these issues dispassionately and rationallly. He appears to be the ideal disinterested observer; that is, he follows the arguments wherever they lead and has no personal stake in the outcome.

The essay effectively demolishes the "unit cohesion" argument, the supposed reason for the ban in the first place and the driving force behind the rants of Elaine Donnelly from the Center for Military Readiness. "Furthermore . . .there is no scientific evidence to support the claim that unit cohesion will be negatively affected if homosexuals serve openly." In fact, the colonel notes, it's unlikely to make any difference.

The author splits unit cohesion into two elements, task cohesion--the shared commitment and motivation that make a unit effective in combat--and social cohesion, which is the emotional bond among members of the group. It boils down to whether the guys in the unit feel like hanging out together. Task cohesion is the more important element in combat effectiveness. Then the author comes to an interesting conclusion: "Almost counterintuitively . . . in some situations, high social cohesion is actually deleterious to the group's decision-making process, leading to . . . groupthink. This does not imply that low social cohesion is advantageous, but that moderate levels are optimal."

In countries where gays now serve openly--Canada, Britain, Australia, Israel, and twenty-something others -- no "mass exodus" occurred when the bans were lifted. There was no "mass coming-out," either. The cost of maintaining the ban over a ten-year period, which the Government Accountability Office in 1995 estimated to be at least $190.5 million, was actually $383 million, according to a study by a commission that included former Defense Secretary William Perry. The GAO had failed to include recruiting and separation costs, and neither report included the additional costs of losing prized specialists such as Arabic speakers. That may be a drop in the bucket of the Pentagon's billions, but it's real money to taxpayers.

In the end, it comes down to this: "in an attempt to allow homosexual servicemembers to serve quietly, a law was created that forces a compromise in integrity, conflicts with the American creed of 'equality for all,' places commanders in difficult moral dilemmas, and is ultimately more damaging to the unit cohesion that its stated purpose is to preserve."

Now that the Defense Department has gone--however unofficially--this far, it should be easier for both Secretary Gates and Admiral Mullen to go the rest of the distance and let the President, the Congress, and the country know that they get it, too. The logical next step would be a Defense Department endorsement of the recommendations in Colonel Prakash's essay. Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid, who supports repeal, wrote Secretary Gates and President Obama last week, asking them to bring to Congress their recommendations on DADT. "Your leadership in this matter . . . is needed at this time."

It certainly is. Over to you, Mr. President. Over to you, Secretary Gates and Admiral Mullen. And in the end, over to you, Members of Congress.

Read more at: http://www.huffingtonpost.com/aubrey-sarvis/fresh-breeze-blowing-in-t_b_306429.html

HuffPo: Who’s Leading the DADT Debate?

2009-09-30T18:27:49+00:00

Who's Leading the DADT Debate?
HUFFINGTON POST
September 30, 2009

One of the most disturbing questions in Washington today is just how much sway the military and the Pentagon have over the President in matters ranging from the number of troops in Afghanistan and the conduct and aims of that war to their eagerness -- indeed, their willingness -- to advance repeal of DADT.

Historically we know Congress and the Presidency have given considerable weight to the Pentagon's recommendations in military personnel matters--as well they should. But it is one thing to give the Pentagon considerable weight and another thing altogether to let it dictate the timing and terms of the debate, and the final decision.

This is true whether the debate is about repealing DADT, about getting an updated GI bill through Congress or sending more troops and treasure to Afghanistan. We want the Pentagon's recommendations, but do we really want the Pentagon to make the final decisions on matters that will deeply affect the welfare of the entire country? That is why we have the separation of powers and why the President commands the military, not the other way around.

Everything in Washington is politics, but what may be a political game in Washington is not a game to the country at large or, for that matter, to the world. The games we play in Washington make the reality beyond the Beltway.

When Secretary of State Henry Kissinger told President Nixon that if he wanted to get the thousands of war protestors, many of whom were students and their parents, off the streets, the draft should end. It did, in January 1973, and the demonstrations pretty much ended, too, while the war dragged on for another two years. Kissinger's intent was to strengthen the President's hand, not the hands of the Pentagon generals.

But that was not exactly what happened. A consequence of that decision was that very few of our Congressmen have worn the uniform of our country or have any real knowledge of how the Pentagon works. Our last three presidents have had no military experience. (I don't count President Bush's undocumented reserve duty as military experience.) Very few of our Congressmen have pulled guard duty on a freezing night or done a hardship tour or two or three in Iraq or Afghanistan, or seen a buddy die on the battlefield or in their arms. (Rep. Patrick Murphy (D-Pa.) is among the notable exceptions, and he is the House leader on the repeal bill, H.R. 1283.) Brief tours to combat zones accompanied by scores of security guards and brass to brief them do not count as military experience.

The era of the citizen soldier ended in 1973. The military went to an all-volunteer force coupled with enormous outsourcing to civilian contractors, a system the Pentagon now prefers. The diversity that universal military service--the old draft--brought to the ranks is sorely missed. By and large and with a few notable exceptions, you will not find the sons and daughters of the privileged classes filling the ranks of the military today. Neither they nor their parents feel they have the huge stake they once did in matters of war and peace.

President Truman was a decorated Army captain in World War II. President Carter was a nuclear submarine officer. The first President Bush was a decorated fighter pilot. They did not feel they had to earn their stripes with the brass and they did not feel intimidated by them. But we know Clinton was and it hurt him and us dearly. We are soon to find out about President Obama. The ultimate decision is his.

If President Truman had listened solely to the Pentagon, he would never have ended racial segregation in the armed services. If Congress had followed the advice of the opposing admirals and generals, women would never have been admitted to the military academies or had new career opportunities opened to them in the ranks. Likewise, Secretary Gates and Admiral Mullen are important in the DADT debate today but they are not the entire debate nor do they decide where it ends.

On a brighter note, in the forthcoming "official, authoritative Department of Defense edition" of DJoint Forces Quarterly, Colonel Om Prakash, USAF, who took first place in the Secretary of Defense National Security Essay Competition, argues forcefully for the abolition of "don't ask, don't tell" and the institution of open service. You can find this important report in pdf format here. It's on page 86.

More good news: Admiral Mullen seemed to be moving in the President's direction when he told the Senate Armed Services Committee two weeks ago that it was time for women to serve on submarines.

Welcome to the 21st Century.

Destroyed Billboard Featured Gay Marine

2009-09-30T13:49:33+00:00

Late last week a Clear Channel billboard in Memphis, TN that featured gay Marine Tim Smith was vandalized. Tim served from 2001-2005 until he was discharged under "Don't Ask, Don't Tell." The destroyed billboard showed Smith in uniform with the words, "I'm gay and I protected your freedom."

It was among five billboards that the Memphis Gay and Lesbian Community Center had posted throughout the city in mid-September to recognize National Coming Out Day on Oct. 11. The center will hold a rally this Sunday to protest the vandalism and plans to restore the billboard.

Reigniting a Fire

2009-09-29T18:52:56+00:00

Fall has once again returned with its spray of leaves, brisk mornings, football weekends, and back-to-school sales that represent a time of fresh opportunities. SLDN's march to the White House this summer reignited a fire in me to hold our nation's leaders accountable. The upcoming National Equality March is an opportunity for me as a gay American, and specifically, a gay American veteran, to tell our leaders that we expect swift legislative action on repeal of "Don't Ask, Don't Tell."

As a kid, I was taught the importance of community and the value of hard work, dedication, and especially selfless service to our country. I remember sitting on my dad's shoulders, waving a flag, lining the road for the return of the local Army Reserve unit from Desert Storm. The entire community hung the back page of the Sunday newspaper in their windows, a flag that faded through the months, but brought us together in pride. That kind of pride was my inspiration for enlisting in the Army as an Arabic linguist. The camaraderie and trust I found in the ranks with my fellow soldiers gave me something for which to stand. When DADT stripped away my freedom to serve and my Army family, I fortunately found a new strength and family in the SLDN community.

The National Equality March is a time to find common ground and stand up as one in the push toward equality. I can't wait to arrive in DC Oct. 10, and join other LGBT allies to recognize the contributions of ALL service members to our armed forces and the equal rights of ALL Americans under the law.

Two More

2009-09-24T18:40:27+00:00

Over the last week, two more members of Congress have cosponsored the Military Readiness Enhancement Act, showing their support for lifting the ban and strengthening our military readiness. Building upon those that signed on when Congress came back into session after the August break, the MREA now has 174 cosponsors.

In the next few weeks, SLDN staff will blanket Capitol Hill in an effort to educate more members of Congress and their staffs. This will lead into the Columbus Day weekend events scheduled here in Washington, DC, specifically around the National Equality March, and further down the road, the first "Don't Ask, Don't Tell" hearings in the Senate in more than 15 years.

Keep checking back with us for updates on cosponsorship, local events in your area and upcoming Congressional hearings. And, if you wish to get involved, please check out our Action Center to learn how you can make a difference.

Taking DADT Beyond LGBT

2009-09-23T21:51:42+00:00

Congress and the President need to see that it's not just LGBT folks who think repeal is worth making a top priority. 70 percent of straight America supports gay people serving openly.

When straight allies speak out, the hearts and minds of those who might not give a second thought to LGBT rights are reached from compelling perspectives. Champions like Rep. Patrick Murphy (D-PA), Rear Admiral Jamie Barnett (Ret), Admiral Ron Wilgenbusch, Jon Soltz of VoteVets and others should be thanked for standing up and setting a courageous example of leadership in the fight for open service.

To turn public support for repeal into action, we must expand the public conversation to include more allies. As we urge members of Congress to become co-sponsors of HR 1283, straight voices demonstrate how the freedom to serve for gay and lesbian patriots impacts freedom for all Americans. We can't win this one alone.

Talk to your friends, family, co-workers and neighbors to get them involved!

DADT at National Equality March

2009-09-21T18:54:44+00:00

With the Oct. 10th National Equality March quickly approaching I want to express why I think it is important to speak out about "Don't Ask, Don't Tell" and how the march is a good opportunity to do so.

As many of you know I served 5 years enlisted in the US Air Force before joining AFROTC so I could go back in as an officer. Unfortunately this never happened because I was outed by a fellow cadet and discharged from AFROTC. It didn't matter that I was ranked #1 in my class or that I had just received my pilot slot - under DADT, it only mattered that someone said I was gay. We all know how ridiculous this law is, but apparently Congress and the President think repeal can wait.

I attended a fundraising brunch for SMYAL this weekend where Judy Sheppard was the keynote speaker. She said that if we don't speak out, then who will? The march is an opportunity to tell the President and Congress that now is the time to repeal "Don't Ask, Don't Tell." More and more polls show a groundswell of public support for open service, even among conservatives. With more voices calling for repeal, Washington will eventually listen but we have to lead the way. See you at the march!

One Hundred Seventy-Two

2009-09-18T19:07:03+00:00

172: That is the number of cosponsors that have now signed onto the Military Readiness Enhancement Act (MREA). One hundred seventy-two. It's fantastic.

Yesterday, Representatives Jerry McNerny (D-CA), Steve Kagen (D-WI) and Richard Neal (D-MA) added their names to the growing list of strong allies in Congress who have said they will stand up and strengthen our military. By signing back onto the MREA, Rep. Neal has brought the entire Massachusetts delegation on board, another state at 100 percent (the sixth) for our map of the 218 initiative.

The MREA now has 23 more cosponsors than it did at the end of last Congress. It took almost two years to gather 149 cosponsors in the 110th Congress, and in just six months time we have bested that number and added significantly to it. Is this so surprising? It shouldn't be. Supporting the MREA should be quite logical. Look at what the bill does: it strengthens our military, gets rid of a tired, discriminatory law, and creates the opportunity for thousands in our ranks and thousands of civilians to serve and defend our great nation. Look at the polling on the issue: 58 percent of conservative Republicans and 60 percent of weekly churchgoers support open service. I'm pretty sure Congress would be overjoyed if they could get those kind of numbers on the health care debate.

This fight however is not about numbers and statistics. It's about all those service members who have been fired for being gay or lesbian. These folks fight for your freedom and mine every day, yet face the always lingering threat, and too-often cold, dark reality, of a needless discharge. This fight is about making a difference, making our military better, making our country greater. Make a difference: Call your member of Congress today and urge him or her to support the repeal of "Don't Ask, Don't Tell." Ask them to add their number, their voice and their vote to the list of allies.

HuffPo: Time for Mullen and Gates to Take a Clear Stand on DADT

2009-09-16T20:28:55+00:00

Time for Mullen and Gates to Take a Clear Stand on DADT

HUFFINGTON POST

September 16, 2009

Why am I troubled by Chairman of the Joint Chiefs Admiral Mike Mullen at his Senate confirmation hearing Tuesday? Not because he got only one question on "don't ask, don't tell" and to that one, from Senator Mark Udall (D-Colo.), he eagerly gave the standard quick response: I'll provide that to you in writing. No, what troubles me are the written responses he gave the Senate Armed Services Committee to their questions on gays in the military. They were released at Admiral Mullen's confirmation hearing after spending weeks on his desk. In a dense fog of words, the Chairman's noncommittal responses signify, well, nothing.

OK, not quite nothing. They did indicate a desire to kick this old can down the road yet again. Was it Napoleon who said if you want to bury something, appoint a commission to study it? No matter, that seems to be what the Pentagon wants to do here. Brush it under the table, kick it down the road, study it a little bit more. Someone over there seems to think that out of sight, out of mind applies to gays in the military. It doesn't.

No matter how much the admiral deflects or obfuscates, this is an issue that is not going away.

Admiral Mullen spoke of the sacrifices made by the 2.2 million families of our service members. He spoke of the 35,000 wounded, the 5,100 American dead--not to mention our allies' casualties, which he didn't, and the countless thousands of nameless Iraqis and Afghanistans brought down by war. Does he suppose none of these men and women who sacrificed a limb or a life were gay? What about the 13,500 service members already forcibly discharged under "don't ask, don't tell"? Didn't they--and their families--sacrifice something too? Are they not part of the "wounds of war" the admiral spoke of? Of course they are, but you'd never know it from his responses. Those responses are neither helpful nor clear; instead they are wobbly, but delivered with impeccable presence, like the admiral himself, the very model of a model navy admiral straight and true.

I am among those who believe it is a smart and sound strategy for the White House to work closely with Defense Secretary Gates and Admiral Mullen on repeal, to persuade them that the President's vision for open service is in the best interests of our military and our country. (We already know our strong allies in Congress support this approach.) I believe the White House is continuing to work this. But we need to see more evidence that this is in fact taking place, and we need to see clear signs of progress soon.

It was clear at his confirmation hearing that Admiral Mullen enjoys the enormous support and political good will of the entire Senate Armed Services Committee--and yet he didn't use one chit to help advance his Commander in Chief's objective of open service. Why not?

If Admiral Mullen and Secretary Gates are asked towards the end of the year, when the drafting of the next Defense Department budget bill begins in earnest, whether they are prepared to sign off on repeal language, what will their answers be? The written responses that Chairman Mullen dropped on the committee this week clearly show that he is not there yet. How long can we and the White House wait for him and Secretary Gates to get with President Obama's program? Will they be there in the next 30 to 45 days, when another Senate hearing could be taking place? We need to know whose team Admiral Mullen and Secretary Gates are playing on. Is it President Obama's White House team, or is it some other team that's playing against their Commander in Chief?

We need an answer to that, and well before that Senate DADT hearing takes place.

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/aubrey-sarvis/time-for-mullen-and-gates_b_288960.html?view=print