Thy Kingdom Come

Final Post

2009-08-20T06:54:00.000-07:00

It was suggested to me last night that I should "butt out." I am not a military person and therefore should not be involved! WTF? Why do we have to fight with each other? Isn't the idea to end DADT and to end all hate?

It was actually suggested that I was doing this blog just to get close to a certain military person who was being kicked out under DADT - NOT TRUE FOLKS! That could not be farther from the truth. I write this because I believe in justice for ALL.

I was told to mind my own business. That "people like me" did more to hurt the cause than to help! Well I don't believe that for a second and I will always vote for the fair candidates and I will continue to march and speak out and write letters and do whatever I can. I will however discontinue this blog. I certainly don't want to contribute to anything that will not be a positive venue for change. Even though I will not write here any more, I will

NEVER GIVE UP!

fundraiser tonight

2009-08-19T05:21:00.000-07:00

Hope you can be with us tonight in San Francisco for the Forward March fundraiser! Bring your friends too.

Death: the great equalizer

2009-08-18T05:19:00.000-07:00

We should be treated equally in LIFE

Give me one good reason

2009-08-17T05:05:00.000-07:00

Give me one good reson why Dan Choi cannot serve.

How about Steven Funk.

How about Victor Fehrenbach.

How about any of the others who have been kicked out do to DADT - why can they not serve?

Come on, give me one good reason - not a tired excuse, but a good reason.

Of course, you cannot.

THERE IS NO GOOD REASON!

Forward March

2009-08-16T05:02:00.000-07:00

It's not just a command - it's also a fundraiser! If you are in Northern California, come and be with us this coming Wednesday the 19th - TRIGGER 2344 Market Street, San Francisco. This is another way you can help!

Let's raise some money and send a message that gays and lesbians have the right to serve in our military!

Join Guest of Honor Lt. Dan Choi, Supervisor David Campos and Military Veterans Joseph Rocha, Brandon Clark and John Forrett, Commander of Alexander Hamilton Post 448, the only Congressionally recognized LGBT American Legion Post in the United States.

Hosted by the fabulous Donna Sachet!

Complimentary wine, champagne and appetizers. Raffle, DJ and much more.

Reception from 6:00pm to 7:30. Program begins at 7:30pm.

Tickets: $20.00

Tickets will be available at the door or purchase in advance at either Gold's Gym location, Center Studio at Sanchez/16th Street or Mr S Leather. Hope to see you!

Hey if you are far away, consider doing a fundraiser where you are and helping out that way.

Wearing the "colors"

2009-08-15T05:57:00.000-07:00

Notice the shirts that Dan and I are wearing? (This is from the SF Pride parade back in June). Today I wore my shirt to a prayer service for Marriage Equality and got a lot of comments. Rememeber when I mentioned things that anyone can do? That is another one. Wear your "colors" proudly! Be who you are! These shirts made by Dan's sister Grace are available for anyone to wear and help identify the cause.

Be visible - DON'T HIDE!

It's about justice!

2009-08-14T05:45:00.000-07:00

We should all have the same opportunities. DADT does not allow that. It needs to be repealed!

It's about justice!

Where it began

2009-08-13T18:08:00.000-07:00

Don't restrict based on sexual orientation

2009-08-12T05:33:00.000-07:00

All who volunteer and are fit physically should be able to serve!

Don't restrict based on sexual orientation!

Give love a chance

2009-08-11T05:31:00.000-07:00

Give love a chance -

after all, that's what it's all about.

We WANT to serve! Let us!

2009-08-10T05:30:00.000-07:00

You have seen this picture before - LET US SERVE OPENLY. That's the deal folks! DADT is wrong. We should not have to hide or to lie! We WANT to serve! Let us!

How many reasons are good ones to discriminate?

2009-08-09T05:18:00.000-07:00

We will not hide - We will not be silent!

2009-08-08T05:27:00.000-07:00

I have no intention of ever being silent

I have no intention of hiding

Nobody should ever have to!

Out and proud

2009-08-07T05:25:00.000-07:00

The other day, The Washington Post brought us again the case of Air Force Lt. Col. Victor Fehrenbach, a decorated 18-year veteran who has flown combat missions in F-15E fighters and other aircraft over Afghanistan, Iraq and Bosnia, and now serves as assistant director of operations for an Air Force squadron in Idaho. After the 9/11 terrorist attacks, Fehrenbach was specifically chosen to help protect NYC airspace.
The problem it seems is that last year a civilian reported that Fehrenbach is gay and so the Air Force began legal proceedings that will soon force him out of the service, two years before he is eligible for retirement benefits of nearly $50,000 a year! Isn't this ridiculous?

Why is it that DADT even exists? Why can't we all be who we are - openly and with pride? WHY???

Which coffin contains the GAY soldier?

2009-08-06T05:23:00.000-07:00

Think about this for a minute.

We all bleed the same color!

When they kill us, we are just as dead!

We should be able to serve the same way!

No H8

2009-08-05T05:10:00.000-07:00

The same day this picture was taken, many of my friends had this on their face too. NO H8.

Together we can make a difference!

Don't hide!

More about Dan

2009-08-04T05:18:00.000-07:00

I have said here in the past that it was hearing from Dan Choi on television, that got me excited enough to say something and to change the focus of my blog to seeing an end to DADT. A lot has been written about Dan. The following is from Wikipedia (you know you are making a difference when you are written about in Wikipedia).

Daniel Choi (born 1981) is a United States Army combat veteran of the Iraq war who served as an infantry officer. He has become known for challenging America's policy regarding gays serving in its military when he came out of the closet on March 20, 2009 in an appearance the The Rachel Maddow Show.[1][2] Since the show, he has become an LGBT rights activist.

Contents [hide]
1 Education and Career
2 Gay rights activist
2.1 Challenging Don't ask, Don't tell and consequent fallout
3 Personal
4 References

Education and Career
Choi graduated from the United States Military Academy in 2003 with degrees in Arabic and environmental engineering. [3] He was one of the founding members of West Point's LGBT support group, Knights Out.

Choi served as an infantry officer in Iraq in 2006 and 2007. In June 2008, he transferred from active duty Army to the New York National Guard.

Gay rights activist

Daniel Choi at a pride rally in Bryant ParkSince coming out, 1LT Choi has spoken at numerous gay rights events, including a march in Los Angeles following the California Supreme Court's affirmation of Proposition 8. On May 27, 2009, he addressed a demonstration of gay activists outside the Beverly Hilton Hotel, where President Barack Obama was speaking at a Democratic National Committee fund raising event[4]. In addition, Choi spoke at the 2009 Pride Rally in New York City and will serve as a Grand Marshal in San Francisco's 2009 Gay Pride Parade.

On July 16, 2009 Choi was in Culver City, California to introduce the premiere of an Abe Forman-Greenwald documentary called Silent partners.[5] The documentary is the fourth episode of the In Their Boots series, with the episode focusing on the partners of LGBT soldiers deployed to Iraq and Afghanistan.

Challenging Don't ask, Don't tell and consequent fallout
Following his appearance on the The Rachel Maddow Show, in which he came out of the closet, Choi received his discharge letter. In response, Choi penned an open letter to U.S. President Barack Obama and the United States Congress. [6] In the letter, Choi challenged the morality and wisdom of the Don't ask, don't tell policy, by writing that the policy is "a slap in the face to me. It is a slap in the face to my soldiers, peers and leaders who have demonstrated that an infantry unit can be professional enough to accept diversity, to accept capable leaders, to accept skilled soldiers."

Despite his appeal and a Courage Campaign petition signed by almost 162,000 people, on June 30, 2009, a panel of New York National Guard officers recommended that Choi be discharged from the military.[7] The final decision, to be made by the commander of First Army and the chief of the National Guard Bureau, is still pending.

Personal
Choi is the son of a Korean American Baptist minister.[8]

it is WRONG!

2009-08-03T05:16:00.000-07:00

DADT

It's wrong

'nuff said

The 218 Initiative

2009-08-02T05:20:00.000-07:00

Is your Representative a cosponsor of H.R. 1283? If not, then urge him or her to do so now! Call, visit, write a letter or send an email. We need 218 members of the House to cosponsor this legislation ending DADT.

Do you know how your representative feels? Find out and let them know how YOU feel!

What is the cost

2009-08-01T05:07:00.000-07:00

Do you ever wonder how many people have been hurt by this stupid law? Just exactly what is the cost of hate?

What can I do?

2009-07-31T05:15:00.000-07:00

What can you do?

Not in the military - Maybe not even gay - Why should you care? Well when one person's rights are trampled on then ALL of our rights are trampled on! You can make a difference and it starts just by speaking up and saying ENOUGH! THIS HATE MUST STOP!

There are tons of other things you can do though. Read this blog daily and tell your friends about it too. Click on the links here and read the information there as well and follow the suggestions.

You CAN help make a difference! Get involved!

Names

2009-07-30T05:54:00.000-07:00

Last Thursday I printed a list of famous gays in the US military (which we reprint here below, after which I have a question for all of you dear readers).

7 Famous Gay Men Who Served in the US Navy -
Craig Claiborne (b. 1920), NY Times food critic
Rick Donovan (b.1963), porn star
Allan Gurganus (b. 1947), writer
Rock Hudson (1925-1985), actor
Armistead Maupin (b. 1944), writer
Harvey Milk (1930-1978), politician and Gay rights activist
Frank O'Hara (1926-1966), poet

2 Famous Gay Men Who Served in the US Air Force -
Leonard Matlovich (1943-1988), gay rights activist
Larry Townsend (b. 1935), writer

17 Famous Gay or Bisexual Men Who Served in the US Army -
Samuel Barber (1910-1981), composer
James Beard (1903-1985), food connoisseur and writer
William S. Burroughs (b. 1913), writer
John Cheever (1912-1982), writer
George Cukor (1899-1983), film director
Malcolm Forbes, Sr., (1919-1990), businessman and magazine publisher
Andrew Holleran (b. 1946), writer
James Ivory (b. 1928), film director
Larry Kramer (b. 1935), writer
Rod McKuen (b. 1933), poet
James Merrill (1926-1995), poet
Merle Miller (1919-1986), writer
Peter Orlovsky (b. 1933), poet
Rev. Troy Perry (b. 1940), founder Metropolitan Community Church
John Rechy (b. 1934), writer
Gore Vidal (b. 1925), writer
Dr. Tom Waddell (1937-1987), decathlon athlete and gay rights activist

3 Famous Gay or Bisexual Men Who Served in the US Marine Corps -
Dave Connors (1945-1985), porn star
Tyrone Power (1913-1958), actor
Oliver Sipple (1942-1989), thwarted the 1975 assassination attempt by Sara Jane Moore on President Ford

These are people whose names you may have heard. Can we add additional names though? Of course we can! Think of all the men and women who have served in silence and in secret. Add their names.

End DADT so that they no longer must serve in secret and in silence!

Support gays in the military!

2009-07-29T05:17:00.000-07:00

There haven't been a lot of comments written here in a while. Please know that I do welcome your thoughts! Tell your friends about what we write here too so that everyone will know that 1)DADT is a bad policy and 2)DADT MUST be ended. Support gays in the military. It's the only fair thing to do!

LGBT Military folks

2009-07-28T05:09:00.000-07:00

I wonder just how many lgbt servicemembers there have been in the USA. We know of the ones who came out. We know of the ones who were kicked out. What about the others though? Even before DADT, there were gay, lesbian, bisexual, and transgender servicemembers and I would suspect that they would go all the way back to our earliest army and navy. How many would you guess served? Remember now that they had to do it is silence - just like today. They had to hide and to lie.

Take a second and think about all the men and women who have served our country honorably but who we kicked out because of their sexual orientation. Focus on the ones we know of, if it helps. Isn't it sad that this has happened in our country? Isn't it sad that it continues?

Folks, DADT is a prejudiced policy. DADT MUST be ended!

Do it for Dan!

2009-07-27T05:39:00.000-07:00

Do you know who this is?

This is another reason to end DADT!

Do it for Dan!

Right thing to do

2009-07-26T05:23:00.000-07:00

President Harry S. Truman 1) recognized Israel immediately; 2) racially integrated the US armed forces; 3) fired General MacArthur to prevent WWIII and to preserve the constitutional principle that the President is Commander-in-Chief; 4) conceived of Medicare (later enacted by LBJ); 5) created NATO. He did these because they were the RIGHT thing to do, not because of polls or advice.

President Obamado - get rid of Don't Ask/Don't Tell! It's the RIGHT thing to do!

What's next?

2009-07-25T05:37:00.000-07:00

Later today I will be at the funeral of a friend. He was a gay man who served in our US military. This week I posted a list of famous gays in the military. He wasn't famous, but he served as so many others have. Can gay men and women continue to serve? What is the next chapter in this struggle?

Lawrence J. Korb, Sean Duggan, and Laura Conley have laid out a five-step solution to repealing Don't Ask/Don't Tell that starts with the Obama administration setting the agenda - Sign an Executive Order banning further military separations based on DADT and send a legislative proposal on DADT repeal to Congress; Form a presidential panel on how to implement the repeal; Repeal DADT in Congress and change the Uniformed Code of Military Justice; Change other necessary military guidelines to conform to the new policy; and finally follow-up to ensure that the armed forces implement the policy changes.

The report also says that "careful examination of the laws outlining the president's powers as commander in chief show that the executive branch has the authority to suspend homosexual conduct discharges without legislative action." This provision, commonly known as a "stop loss" order, grants the president authority to suspend the release of military members during any period of national emergency in which members of a reserve unit are serving on active duty. But because Congress originally passed the ban, an executive suspension will have to be followed up with legislative action that reverses DADT.

Each day we continue to write about it here, but is that enough? Have our words served to inform anyone or to change anyone's mind? Have we brought you to conversation or caused you to send any emails or write any letters? We will continue to write here of course, but we would love your suggestions as well. What else can we do? What can others do? How can we more quickly see justice for all? How can we more quickly see an end to DADT?

What to YOU think?

About Don't Ask/Don't Tell

2009-07-24T05:40:00.000-07:00

Are you reading this for the first time? Any idea what we do here? Let me tell you.

Don't ask, don't tell is the common term for the policy about homosexuality in the U.S. military mandated by federal law Pub.L. 103-160 (10 U.S.C. § 654). Unless one of the exceptions from 10 U.S.C. § 654(b) applies, the policy prohibits anyone who "demonstrate(s) a propensity or intent to engage in homosexual acts" from serving in the armed forces of the United States, because "it would create an unacceptable risk to the high standards of morale, good order and discipline, and unit cohesion that are the essence of military capability." The act prohibits any homosexual or bisexual person from disclosing his or her sexual orientation or from speaking about any homosexual relationships, including marriages or other familial attributes, while serving in the United States armed forces. The "don't ask" part of the policy indicates that superiors should not initiate investigation of a service member's orientation in the absence of disallowed behaviors, though mere suspicion of homosexual behavior can cause an investigation.

For the past few months this blog has been looking at DADT and the reasons why it should be repealed. We have urged action on the part of you our readers. We have mentioned numerous other resources. We have commented on specific cases of gays in the military. We hope you will continue reading here and tell your friends. Tell us too, especially if you have comments or suggestions, or even corrections.

Speaking of corrections, as I was talking about media, I neglected to mention much about the motion picture I mentioned, and someone asked me about one of them, so here is a bit more information: "Serving in Silence: The Margarethe Cammermeyer Story" is the true story of a decorated officer's legal challenge to her involuntary discharge when she admitted she was a lesbian. Lead actress Glen Close and supporting actress Judy Davis both won Emmy Awards for their performances in the made for TV movie and Allison Cross won an Emmy for outstanding individual achievement in writing for a miniseries or a special. I saw it at the time and have seen it since, and find it outstanding. Check it out!

Check us out every day too and help put an end to injustice. End DADT!

Famous Gays In the Military

2009-07-23T05:29:00.000-07:00

The list below comes from The New Gay Book of Lists, by Leigh W. Ruttledge. The book is published by Alyson Publications.

7 Famous Gay Men Who Served in the US Navy -
Craig Claiborne (b. 1920), NY Times food critic
Rick Donovan (b.1963), porn star
Allan Gurganus (b. 1947), writer
Rock Hudson (1925-1985), actor
Armistead Maupin (b. 1944), writer
Harvey Milk (1930-1978), politician and Gay rights activist
Frank O'Hara (1926-1966), poet

2 Famous Gay Men Who Served in the US Air Force -
Leonard Matlovich (1943-1988), gay rights activist
Larry Townsend (b. 1935), writer

17 Famous Gay or Bisexual Men Who Served in the US Army -
Samuel Barber (1910-1981), composer
James Beard (1903-1985), food connoisseur and writer
William S. Burroughs (b. 1913), writer
John Cheever (1912-1982), writer
George Cukor (1899-1983), film director
Malcolm Forbes, Sr., (1919-1990), businessman and magazine publisher
Andrew Holleran (b. 1946), writer
James Ivory (b. 1928), film director
Larry Kramer (b. 1935), writer
Rod McKuen (b. 1933), poet
James Merrill (1926-1995), poet
Merle Miller (1919-1986), writer
Peter Orlovsky (b. 1933), poet
Rev. Troy Perry (b. 1940), founder Metropolitan Community Church
John Rechy (b. 1934), writer
Gore Vidal (b. 1925), writer
Dr. Tom Waddell (1937-1987), decathlon athlete and gay rights activist

3 Famous Gay or Bisexual Men Who Served in the US Marine Corps -
Dave Connors (1945-1985), porn star
Tyrone Power (1913-1958), actor
Oliver Sipple (1942-1989), thwarted the 1975 assassination attempt by SJMoore on Pres.Ford

That is their list. I'm sure there could be more, but of course there has always been secrecy, se we may possibly never have a complete list. Another reason of course to end DADT! We can probably already add our friend Daniel Choi to this list for he has become a famous gay rights activist and is working not only to end DADT but also to end DOM.

Back to the bookshelf

2009-07-22T05:12:00.000-07:00

A few days ago I mentioned the book Conduct Unbecoming Gays and Lesbians in the U.S. Military (1993) by the late Randy Shilts. There are tons of other books that you might want to pick up to get more background on this subject of lgbt persons in the military. May I also suggest Out in Force: Sexual Orientation and the Military by Gregory Herek, The Many Faces of Gay: Activists Who Are Changing the Nation by Arthur D. Kahn, Exclusion: Homosexuals and the Right to Serve by Melissa Wells-Petry, and Don’t Ask: A Reader’s Guide to the Military’s Anti-Gay Policy, by Janet Halley. Also, Lifting the Ban on Gays in the Civil Service: Federal Policy toward Gay and Lesbian Employees since the Cold War, in Public Administration Review by Gregory B. Lewis, Gays and Guns: The Case against Homosexuals in the Military by John Eidsmoe , and The Rights of Lesbians and Gay Men: The Basic ACLU Guide to a Gay Person's Rights by Nan D. Hunter, Sherryl E. Michaelson, Thomas B. Stoddard.

Of course reading is not the only way to get information, but it is a start. After doing some reading, I hope you will also do some sharing. Talk to your relatives and to your coworkers, and to your friends. Let them know that you think it is high time lgbt were treated fairly in the workplace. DADT must be repealed! It is the only fair thing to do!

DADT Discriminates

2009-07-21T05:05:00.000-07:00

An estimated 65,000 LGBT Americans serve in the US armed forces. Of course they have to stay silent - they have to lie - they have to hide. Don't Ask/Don't Tell discriminates. It says that some people will be excluded from service, not because of anything they do, but simply because of who they are. We no longer think it is right and proper to exclude women or people of different races, so why this group of people? Why do people think it is right to exclude gays and lesbians? Discrimination is always wrong.

Discrimination toward or against a person of a certain group is the treatment or consideration based on class or category rather than individual merit. Discrimination is always a behavior that promotes a certain group at the expense of another. Discrimination is never a good thing. Wherever we see it, discrimination must be ended!

My friends, do not remain silent. Do not lie or hide. Be open. Be proud! God created us just as wonderfully as he did our non-lgbt sisters and brothers. We all should be able to rejoice in who we are and to use the gifts God has given us for the benefit of others.

Don't Hide

2009-07-20T05:20:00.000-07:00

Yesterday I was a participant in AIDS Walk SF once again, and instead of wearing one of the AIDS Walk shirts, I wore a Don't Hide shirt. Someone said, "Oh that's for the repeal of Prop 8." Well it got us talking. The shirt was made actually to support Lt. Dan Choi (and yes, it is he who is wearing it in the picture here, not me) and it is about ending Don't Ask/Don't Tell. As I got to thinking about it though I realized it can be so much more. Thanks to Dan's wonderful sister Grace for making these shirts and also making some people yesterday think and talk.

DADT says gays can serve IF they lie and IF they hide. We say NO! We should be able to be who we are! We should not have to be dishonest. (Do we really want to teach people to lie anyway)? We should not have to hide!

One more reason to end DADT - it's the honest thing to do!

In the media

2009-07-19T05:54:00.000-07:00

One of the first people I met when I moved to San Francisco was Randy Shilts who is perhaps best known for his book And the Band Played On. Randy also wrote Conduct Unbecoming Gays and Lesbians in the U.S. Military (1993). His book though is not the only reference to gays in the military. Here is a list of some of the films that you might want to check out: Across the Universe (2007), Any Mother’s Son (1996), Ask Not (2008), Courage Doesn't Ask (2007), Coming Out Under Fire (1994), Five Lines (2000), Gays in the Military (2000), Serving in Silence (1995), In & Out (1997), Licensed to Kill (1997), Regarding Billy (2005), and Time Regained (2000). There is also a pretty old documentary that I tried to find yesterday (but was not successful). I saw it years ago and then again last year as part of a film festival. A great job of showing how gays and lesbians have always served, but how we had to serve in silence - how we had to hide and lie.

Of course there is a lot more media coverage these days of DADT. This blog is just one example. Check out the links too to the Knights Out site for a lot more news and check your own local newspaper on a regular basis. Finally the spotlight is being shown on the injustice that still exists, but that will hopefully soon end.

Any articles, books, films, television programs, or other media that you think we should take a look at? Leave a comment! By communicating we can end DADT!

By the numbers

2009-07-18T05:39:00.000-07:00

I was tempted to bring you some graphs and pie charts, but settled instead to just mention some numbers. First of all, the public now gives two-to-one support for allowing gays in the military - a margin of 60 percent to 32 percent. This represents significantly broader support for this inclusive policy than in 1994, when 52 percent favored allowing gays to serve openly and 45 percent were opposed.

I can break that down a bit. Support has grown in most segments of society, particularly among young people (those under age 30) who are in favor of an open policy by three-to-one (72 percent to 23 percent). But the balance of opinion has shifted in favor of allowing open service across all age groups. We are learning. We are becoming more fair.

Do you know where the biggest growth has come from? The South! In 1994 the South was the only region in which a majority of residents (55 percent) opposed allowing gays and lesbians to serve openly. Today, just 35 percent in the South take this position, while 58 percent support open service. Big difference, huh?

Politically there are differences. Republicans are divided with 46 percent favoring allowing gays to serve openly and 46 percent are opposed. A majority of conservative Republicans oppose such a policy, while moderate and liberal Republicans favor it by a wide margin (62 percent-29 percent). Democrats of all ideological groups tend to favor allowing gays in the military, though liberal Democrats are nearly universal in their support (85 percent-9 percent). Independents also favor the policy by a 66 percent-to-30 percent margin.

So the bottom line here is that a majority of Americans favor an end to Don't Ask/Don't Tell. So, why don't we do it? Why don't we end it now and bring fairness to all?

Okay and speaking of numbers, 77 Members of Congress have joined with Knights Out in Calling on President Obama to Sign an Executive Order Suspending DADT. See if your congressperson's name is on this list. If it is, call them and thank them. If it isn't, call them and ask why not? The signers are:

Alcee L. Hastings
Barney Frank
John Conyers, Jr.
Fortney “Pete” Stark
Edward J. Markey
Gary Ackerman
Louise Slaughter
Eliot Engel
Jim McDermott
Ileana Ros-Lehtinen
José Serrano
James Moran
Jerrold Nadler
Eleanor Holmes Norton
Ed Pastor
James Clyburn
Anna Eshoo
Bob Filner
Luis Gutierrez
Eddie Bernice Johnson
Carolyn Maloney
Robert “Bobby” Scott
Bennie Thompson
Nydia Velázquez
Melvin Watt
Lynn Woolsey
Lloyd Doggett
Chaka Fattah
Jane Harman
Lois Capps
Donna M. Christensen
Diana DeGette
Bill Delahunt
Carolyn Cheeks Kilpatrick
Dennis Kucinich
Barbara Lee
James McGovern
Brad Sherman
Robert Wexler
Tammy Baldwin
Shelley Berkley
Michael Capuano
Joseph Crowley
Rush Holt
John Larson
Grace Napolitano
Jan Schakowsky
Anthony Weiner
David Wu
William Lacy Clay
Mike Honda
James Langevin
Betty McCollum
Diane Watson
Tim Bishop
Raúl Grijalva
Linda Sánchez
Emanuel Cleaver
Doris Matsui
Gwen Moore
Debbie Wasserman Schulz
André Carson
Kathy Castor
Yvette Clarke
Donna F. Edwards
Keith Ellison
Marcia L. Fudge
Phil Hare
Mazie K. Hirono
Laura Richardson
Joe Sestak
Niki Tsongas
Peter Welch
Alan Grayson
Jared Polis
Mike Quigley
Gregorio Sablan

Gays in Israel's military

2009-07-17T05:18:00.000-07:00

The nation of Israel has had no restrictions on military service by gays since 1993. Major Yoni Schoenfeld, a gay officer who is the editor of the military magazine, Bamahane, said there was little friction in the ranks related to gay soldiers. Schoenfeld is pictured here listening to his partner. His magazine has reflected the evolving attitudes over the years. In 2001, it was shut down briefly after featuring an interview with a retired colonel who had come out of the closet. Yet this year, there was no negative reaction to the cover picture of two male soldiers embracing. Times change.

Perhaps it is just taking time here in the US. Perhaps an end to DADT is just around the corner and then we can be like our friends in Israel. Perhaps. In that country, gays were permitted to serve even before 1993, but not in certain intelligence positions where, at the time, they were deemed possible security risks vulnerable to blackmail. Now, gays and lesbians serve in all branches of the military, including combat duty. In fact, the Israeli military provided the backdrop for the 2002 movie "Yossi & Jagger" about two Israeli combat soldiers who fall in love on the front lines. It was even screened on military bases where it was deemed a hit.

Mr. Obama: bring us to the same place. Carry through with your promise and let Americans have the same equal treatment!

Showering with other men

2009-07-16T05:45:00.000-07:00

One of the things I have heard several times is that gays cannot serve in the military because the nongay members would feel uncomfortable in the showers with them. Huh? Can anyone really be serious about this?

Yesterday I noted here that before Canada lifted its gay ban, a survey of 6,500 male soldiers found that 62% of them said they would refuse to share showers, undress or sleep in the same room as a gay soldier. The interesting thing though is that after the ban was lifted, follow-up studies found no increase in disciplinary, performance, recruitment, sexual misconduct, or resignation problems. It just didn't happen. If it can work for our neighbors to the north, why not here?

How many of you played sports in school? How many of you had physical education classes? Was it not common for you to shower with the other guys? Was there any distinction made between the gay guys and the ones who were not gay? How about at public gyms or health clubs - is there a shower room for gay members that is separate for the nongay members? I think not. My point here is that people think there will be a lot of uncomfortable folks. That is not necessarily the case. And even if it is, let's get over it! Let's grow up people!

There is no good reason for excluding gays from the military - no, not one! The whole showing with other men idea is simply ridiculous.

Gays in the military around the world

2009-07-15T05:52:00.000-07:00

First of all before writing anything else, let me tell you that this blog will continue to advocate for an end to DADT - the only change is we are ending the count of days, since it really served no purpose. We were counting the number of days of our participation, not any kind of official number regarding the military or the ridiculous DADT policy.

Most Western military forces have now removed policies excluding sexual minority members. Of the 26 countries that participate militarily in NATO, more than 20 permit open lesbians, gays, or bisexuals to serve and of the permanent members of the United Nations Security Council, two (United Kingdom and France) do so. China bans gays and lesbians outright and Russia excludes all gays and lesbians during peacetime but allows some gay men to serve in wartime.

In Canada, the decision was made way back in 1992 to allow homosexuals to serve openly in its armed forces, and studies show that indeed, military performance has not declined. The percent of military women who experienced sexual harassment dropped 46% after the ban was lifted. While there were several reasons why harassment declined, one factor was that after the ban was lifted women were free to report assaults without fear that they would be accused of being a lesbian. Before Canada lifted its gay ban, a 1985 survey of 6,500 male soldiers found that 62% said that they would refuse to share showers, undress or sleep in the same room as a gay soldier. After the ban was lifted, follow-up studies found no increase in disciplinary, performance, recruitment, sexual misconduct, or resignation problems.

Here in the United States we are technically permitted to serve, but only in secrecy and celibacy. We have to lie and hide! I say “be honest about who you are! Don’t hide.” (I seem to have seen that message on a shirt somewhere).

What is the reason for this Don't Ask/Don't Tell policy? Well it was originally designed to help us, believe it or not! It was a blunder from day one though and has caused nothing but problems! The time has come (long ago) for DADT to be repealed!

Recently I met (via the internet) some gay men who serve in other countries. The have been reading this and urge me to continue writing. I will!

DAY 57: DADT Update

2009-07-14T05:34:00.000-07:00

Over the weekend hs was on CNN and Anderson Cooper asked why his administration had not moved on that promise that it would overturn the DADT policy begun back during the Clinton years.

OMABA: "I've had conversations with Bob Gates as well as Admiral Mullen about the fact that I want to see this law change. I also want to make sure that we are not simply ignoring a congressional law. If Congress passes a law that is constitutionally valid, then it's not appropriate for the Executive Branch simply to say we will not enforce a law. It is our duty to enforce laws. But look, the bottom line is, I want to see this changed, and we've already contacted congressional allies. I want to make sure that it's changed in a way that ultimately works well for our military and for the outstanding gay and lesbian soldiers that are both currently enlisted or would like to enlist."

COOPER: "Do you personally have a timetable in your mind of when you would like to see [the law] changed?"

OBAMA: "I'd like to see it done sooner rather than later, and we've got a process to not only work it through Congress, but also to make sure that the Pentagon has thought through all the ramifications of how this would be most effective."

Notice that Obama is saying change, not repeal. Obama also seems to now be saying he thinks the military's discrimination and bigoted DADT policy is constitutional. (Remember that in the anti-gay DOMA brief he also said that DOMA is constitutional).

I am NOT a legal expert, but I strongly believe (and experts have also said this) that the president has the authority to suspend "Don't Ask/Don't Tell" with the stroke of a pen. Obama could simply issue an Executive Order. Congress could of course end it too. So far though: NOTHING! The president, back when he was campaigning, indicated he would end it. He hasn't. He has been in office for six months!

My suggestion: keep spreading the word. Talk to the common folks you come in contact with and also write letter to friends and family. Tell them you think DADT is unfair and unjust. (How about just plain wrong?)

DAY 56: DADT Update

2009-07-13T05:35:00.000-07:00

Lieutenant Dan Choi, as you all know, is fighting the military's 'Don't Ask/Don't Tell' policy. Choi said he was gay earlier this year, and that the only thing that could have saved him from having to leave service would be to lie.

In the United States, more than 12,000 service members have been dismissed since 1994 because it became known they were gay. Air Force Lt. Col. Victor Fehrenbach is another one of them.

Many countries, including 28 NATO allies, have revoked 'Don't Ask, Don't Tell' policies, and Choi believes that anyone who thinks fellow soldiers would be uncomfortable or unable to deal with gays in the military are actually insulting those who serve.

Back in 1992, Anita Van Der Meer was threatened with discharge from the Australian Navy for being a lesbian. She denied the charge to save her job and later that year the military's ban on gays and lesbians in that country was lifted. This year, Van Der Meer marched proudly with more than 100 other service members in Sydney's annual Gay and Lesbian Mardi Gras Parade under an Australian Defense Force banner with even a general marching with them!

This year here in San Francisco, I was very privileged to walk in our LGBT Pride Parade with Lt. Choi and members of Knights Out, an organization of OUT Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender West Point Alumni and their supporters. Next year how about an official US Army contingent walking in the parade when DADT is a thing of the past? It CAN happen! It should happen!

Gays have always served in this country's military, often with distinction. We serve openly in many other nations of the world, why not here? Polls say the DADT policy should be ended. The latest Gallup poll shows that even a majority of Republicans (58 percent) and weekly churchgoers (60 percent) agree. This is an issue of basic civil rights. Help spread the word!

DAY 55: DADT Update

2009-07-12T05:43:00.000-07:00

"In telling young service members that there is this legislation of 'Don't Ask/Don't Tell' you are legitimately encouraging the idea that there is something wrong with homosexuality." -Joseph Christopher Rocha

My sisters and brothers - the time has come! Let us put an end to hate! Let's get rid of DADT!

The San Jose Mercury News agrees with us. Last Monday in an editorial they wrote "There's no humane way to enforce an inhumane law." Indeed! The paper went on to say "President Harry Truman ended segregation in the military after World War II, and the armed forces proudly paved the way for civil rights advances throughout the nation. It's Obama's turn to stand up for what's right."

DAY 54: DADT Update

2009-07-11T05:50:00.000-07:00

Don't Ask/Don't Tell has got to be ended! There is no good reason for keeping this policy!

I want to update you on Lt. Dan Choi, just in case you don't read this every day, or if you are the one person in this country who doesn't even know who he is. He came out back in March on national television and since then has spoken publically at various lgbt events, including serving as Grand Marshall at the San Francisco Pride Celebration. Two days after that, in Syracuse, NY Choi when before a hearing to show why he should be kept in the military. They apparently were not listening though because very quickly afterward they recommended that Lt. Daniel Choi be discharged from the New York Army National Guard for publicly stating that he is gay - not for doing anything wrong mind you, simply for speaking the truth! Choi is a graduate of West Point, an Arabic linguist, and an Iraqi vet. He is a born leader - I witnessed that first-hand. Anyway, the recommendation must now wind its way through the military chain of command, which must decide whether or not to accept that recommendation. The Commander-In-Chief (that would be President Obama) could get involved and back up his earlier words with some real real action. Stay tuned!

Meanwhile, there is always an opportunity for you to get involved. I say this just about every day, but it is still true. Let people know how you feel. Write letters. Send emails. Make telephone calls. If you are able to, donate money. DADT is just one of many forms of discrimination against lgbt people. NO DISCRIMATION SHOULD BE ALLOWED! We should be free to love whom we choose, and that is really at the heart of what this is all about - LOVE. Love is a good thing folks. Let us embrace it and put an end to Don't Ask/Don't Tell!

DAY 53: DADT Update

2009-07-10T05:53:00.000-07:00

Every day we write things here about DADT. Yesterday I invited a ton of folks to look in on these daily posts here and also to add their comments so we will have an idea of what people are thinking. Tell your family and friends too!

Testerday here I mentioned the Servicemembers legal defense Network. I also want to mention that Lt. Dan Choi could use some financial help in his fight too. One great way to help is to get a Don't Hide shirt. Go to http://www.donthidetm.com/ to see the shirt and to order one!

DAY 52: DADT Update

2009-07-09T05:44:00.000-07:00

What two men or two women do in their private time should have no bearing on their job - REGARDLESS of what that job is! If you work in a drugstore or in a factory or in a hospital, can your employer tell you how to love?

NO. Of course not! Why can they then in the military?

DADT is bad and needs to be ended!

Servicemembers Legal Defense Network is working to see and end to DADT (among other things). You can help them by making a secure online donation HERE

DAY 51: DADT Update

2009-07-08T05:15:00.000-07:00

Congressman Patrick Murphy, an Iraq War veteran who earned a Bronze Star, has become the lead sponsor of a bill that would finally lift the ban on openly gay personnel serving in the military and put an end to DADT. "It is vital to our national security," he said to The Morning Call newspaper. "We have troops that are fighting in two wars and we need every qualified able-bodied individual who is able to serve."

Congresswoman Ellen Taucher, who is leaving Congress to take a position with the Obama administration, was the leading sponsor of the bill when it was reintroduced to Congress earlier this year. It currently has 150 cosponsors in the House. The President has said he does not want to repeal the ban by Executive Order (although he didn't exactly say that during the campaign), but he does say he wants it ended, so we can assume he will sign this bill.

Let your congressperson know how YOU feel! Write letters my friends! I keep saying this, but it really does make a difference!

A recent Gallup poll shows that more than two thirds of Americans - 69% in fact, favor lifting the ban; 26% remain opposed. Bisexual reality TV star Tila Tequila recently wrote in her blog that DADT should be ended. A 29-year-old gay sailor was found dead at California's Camp Pendleton last week - nothing has indicated whether or not DADT played any role in his death. Lt. Dan Choi continues his quest to keep his job after coming out on national tv. Virtually everyone who meets Dan or hears him speak, is supportive.

There is overwhelming reason to end DADT. What are we waiting for?

DAY 50: DADT Update

2009-07-07T05:34:00.000-07:00

If this is your first time reading this, DADT stands for Don't Ask/Don't Tell, the ridiculous policy of our US military that excludes gays and lesbians. This policy needs to be repealed and that is what we write about here each day. We have written in particular here about Lt. Daniel Choi. Your support for him has been amazing - 162,741 people signed Lt. Choi's letter to the Army and then 141,262 people signed Lt. Choi's letter to President Obama. Combined, more than 300,000 signatures were collected on his behalf and were submitted as "Exhibit E: Courage Campaign" to the Army. I think that is pretty great! Lt. Choi needs some more help though and so I hope you will sign once again, if you have not already - this time to the Speaker of the House. Click HERE to do that.

We need to keep up with this, and not just for Dan. We need to let our President and our Congress know how we feel. Even if you have already signed petitions, have you written any letters? Have you spoken to your senators and congressperson? Have you talked to friends and realtives and asked them to write? The more we communicate, there better the chance is!

"Nothing is more infuriating than Obama's refusal to act on Don't Ask/Don't Tell . . . discrimination in our armed forces carries a potent symbolism: It tells an entire class of people that the country is not interested in their service." -The New Republic in an editorial this week.

Keep it up my friends!

DAY 49: DADT Update

2009-07-06T05:36:00.000-07:00

General Colin Powell, who helped craft Don't Ask/Don't Tell in 1993 after thwarting President Bill Clinton in his efforts to open the military to out gay soldiers, said yesterday on CNN's State of the Union, that the policy should be reviewed, but would not say that is should be repealed.

"The policy and the law that came about in 1993 I think was correct for the time. Sixteen years have now gone by, and I think a lot has changed with respect to attitudes within our country. And therefore, I think this is a policy and a law that should be reviewed," said Powell.

He also seemed to dispute the notion (as interpreted from President Obama's recent remarks) that the policy exists only because of a generation gap. The retired general and former Secretary of State said "It is not just a matter of old generals who, you know, are just too high-bound. There are lots of complicated issues with respect to this, and I think all of those issues should be illuminated. And I hope that the Joint Chiefs of Staff and the commanders working with the Secretary of Defense will give this the greatest consideration and make their recommendation to the president and to the Congress."

Admiral Michael Mullen, the chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff was also on that program and he said "It's very clear what President Obama's intent here is. He intends to see this law change." "I've had conversations with him about that. What I've discussed in terms of the future is I think we need to move in a measured way."

Adm. Mullen appeared to be distancing himself from President Obama and the possible repeal of the policy. He used the word change rather than repeal too. It just felt bad. I really cannot describe it. I did not get a very positive feeling from the program.

I never thought it would be easy. I give thanks for the great courage of the many who keep coming out and being honest. Don't Hide! Never give up!

DAY 48: DADT Update

2009-07-05T05:42:00.001-07:00

Last Tuesday, a military board told Lt. Dan Choi (whom we have mentioned here often) that it was recommending his discharge from the Army for "moral and professional dereliction" under the military's "Don't Ask/Don't Tell" policy. This folks should be reason enough to end DADT! The news from the hearing was not good, but despite this setback, Lt. Choi is not giving up. Bolstered by more than 300,000 signatures to letters of support calling for the repeal of DADT, he is now taking his fight to repeal the discriminatory "Don't Ask/Don't Tell" policy to Congress and he needs our help - ALL of us! The sooner DADT is repealed, the sooner he can return to service. Also, the sooner our lgbt sisters and brothers can stop hiding!

I signed a letter to Speaker Nancy Pelosi that Lt. Choi is going to personally deliver to her. The letter is being launched on Lt. Choi's behalf by the Courage Campaign, Knights Out and the Servicemembers Legal Defense Network. We need Speaker Pelosi to take leadership now and speak out publicly in favor of current legislation in Congress that would repeal the "Don't Ask/ Don't Tell" policy. I am not the only one to have signed Lt. Choi's letter - thousands of others have! Will you join me in signing it too, and urge your friends to do the same? Just click HERE to add your name.

Keep reading our updates here every day too and tell your friends! We should not have to hide any more!

DAY 47: DADT Update

2009-07-04T05:23:00.000-07:00

Today is Independence Day. How many lgbt Americans are really independent? How many of us are truly free? There have been lgbt soldiers throughout our country's history, but in order to service in the military, they have always had to hide.

We have to stand up for what we believe in like MTV’s Tila Tequila did when she told President Barack Obama that he needs to repeal “Don’t ask/Don’t tell.” In a blog that Tequila wrote yesterday , she calls Lt. Dan Choi, “a hero to many of us in the human rights movement,” who was kicked out of the Army after publically announcing that he was homosexual. “Being an openly bisexual woman myself and having a lot of close gay friends, I have always HATED that policy,” Tila tells.

Right on Tila! We need more folks like this to speak the truth! On this Fourth of July let us all say ENOUGH! If we truly believe that all are created equal, we need to show it! Don't Ask/Don't Tell MUST end! Discrimination against lgbt people MUST end! Everyone must be treated equally!

Let freedom ring!

DAY 46: DADT Update

2009-07-03T05:08:00.000-07:00

President Obama's deputy campaign manager, Steve Hildebrand, who is himself openly gay, penned a piece for the Huffington Post this week that delineates the three "gay" priorities that Congress should focus on: safe schools; hate crimes; and ENDA. There is no mention of DADT. None at all! (There is also no mention of DOMA either which he also campaigned on).

The fight is not over. There is so much to do. We are talking about justice and doing what is right - for ALL people! It may seem like it has been a long fight, and it has been, but NEVER GIVE UP! Don't lie. Don't Hide. We all have to be who we are!

Love is a good thing!

As you read this each day, you are more than welcome to add your comments! Let me (and our readers) know what you think! If you have specific DADT news, you can also email me privately and ask that I post it. It is also interesting to know how many people read this, so do feel free to subscribe and we will see a number.

DAY 45: DADT Update

2009-07-02T05:46:00.000-07:00

I've been talking a lot about Dan Choi here and will continue to keep you updated, but I wanted to let you know about other areas of DADT as well. Later today, U.S. Rep. Patrick Murphy (D-PA), a veteran of the Iraq war, the Human Rights Campaign and Servicemembers United, will announce the launch of a national tour urging the repeal of "Don't Ask/Don't Tell." He will be joined by gay, lesbian and straight veterans, including Eric Alva, the first wounded veteran in the Iraq War; Jarrod Chlapowski, a former U.S. Army Korean linguist who opted to not re-enlist because of DADT and is currently a public policy advocate at the Human Rights Campaign; and Alex Nicholson, a U.S. Army veteran fluent in Arabic discharged under DADT and current executive director of Servicemembers United. More details on that later in the week.

Do you realize that "Don't Ask/Don't Tell" is the only law in the country that forces people to be dishonest about their personal lives or be fired or possibly imprisoned? How can someone be taught to be open and honest and then told they have to lie and hide? Lt. Choi has it right when he says: "Don't lie. Don't Hide. Never Give Up!"

My friends, there is still much to do. Get those letters written. Make those telephone calls. Let people know how you feel. Let the know that DADT is a BAD policy!

DAY 44: DADT Update

2009-07-01T05:21:00.000-07:00

As most of you know, Lt. Choi appeared yesterday morning in Syracuse, NY before the Federal Recognition Board, and they later in the day issued their recommendation that he be fired (discharged) from the Army for "moral and professional dereliction" under the stupid "Don't Ask/Don't Tell" policy. I was stunned when I heard the news . . . and then I cried. Dan is much stronger and I though folks and the board's decision to fire him is not the end. He will keep on fighting.

This is just one chapter too. Even if Dan had prevailed yesterday, we still need to see an end to DADT! I will always be on Dan Choi's side, but regardless of what happens in in his case, it is important to remember - this is NOT about Dan Choi - it is about ending a bad practice. It is about ending DADT. It is about doing the right thing.

The picture above, by the way, is me and Lt. Choi clowning a bit after the Mayor's press conference at SF Pride this past Sunday.

Don't lie! Don't hide! Never Give up!

DAY 43: DADT Update

2009-06-30T05:08:00.000-07:00

Sunday was quite possibly one of the best days in my life. (That's me walking beside the car with SF Pride's Grand Marshall Lt. Dan Choi riding inside). So many people came up to Dan and told him how proud they were of him or how much they respect him. Let's hope the government can do the same!

Just about now in Syracuse, NY a hearing is beginning to determine what is next. Will they keep him or will they fire him?

Folk, I hope they can do the right thing - not only for Dan, but for our future. I bid your prayers.

DAY 42: DADT Update

2009-06-29T05:37:00.000-07:00

This past week, Councilman Bill Rosendahl and LA City Council honored the new leaders and growing diversity of the lgbt movement including Daniel Choi.
Saturday Dan was at the Pink Triangle dedication and yesterday he served as Grand Marshall in San Francisco's Pride Celebration. (I was honored to spend some time with him too).

THERE IS NO WAY IN HELL THAT THIS MAN DESERVES TO BE FIRED FROM HIS JOB! Tomorrow, a hearing in Upstate New York will decide whether to discharge him. It is not to late to speak up and let YOUR voice be heard. Let people know you think DADT is a ridiculous policy that needs to be ended NOW!

And keep Lt. Choi in your thoughs and prayers!

DAY 42: DADT Update

2009-06-28T05:13:00.000-07:00

Pride Weekend continues here in San Francisco. Lt. Dan Choi is among the Grand Marshalls in the parade which begins at 10:30am. Click HERE for more on the parade.

If you read the comments for this blog you might have already noticed the comment left by a reader yesterday, but I particularly want to call your attention to the Servicemembers Legal Defense Network which protested at the White House yesterday. There is youtube video HERE.

Over the weekend I have had a chance to meet some of the OUT West Point grads and I could not be more proud of them for their honesty. The honor code that is taught is sacred and it is heartwarming that so many of them take it seriously and had to be honest and not hide. Let us be supportive of this bravery and this honesty! Let us demand an end to DADT!

Tuesday Dan Choi has his hearing. Keep him in your thoughts and prayers.

DAY 41: DADT Update

2009-06-27T05:30:00.000-07:00

It is Pride Weekend here in San Francisco where I am and a lot of people here will be talking this weekend about an end to DADT.

On Thursday, THE SAN FRANCISCO CHRONICLE wrote:
When Army National Guard Lt. Dan Choi fell in love, he couldn't stop talking about it.
Except for one tiny lie. Matthew, his beloved, became "Martha."
Choi lived in a "don't ask, don't tell" world, an Arabic-speaking West Point graduate and combat veteran of the Iraq war, whose future career, health and housing benefits depended on a smooth relationship with the military.
Caught between fear and freedom, Choi finally couldn't take it anymore. In March, the 28-year-old Harvard student and his friends formed a support group for gay West Point graduates called Knights Out, and a week later, he put on his uniform and went on MSNBC's "Rachel Maddow Show".
Cameras rolling, he said three words that would rocket him to the front of the gay rights movement and earn him an invitation to be one of six celebrity grand marshals in Sunday's Gay Pride Parade:
"I am gay."
Then, his microphone cut out. It remains a technological mystery.
But the roar he created has not died down.
The New York Army National Guard sent Choi a letter in May telling him proceedings had begun to remove him from the military for "moral and professional dereliction." And two days after Choi appears in the Pride Parade, he will have to defend himself in military court.
"I have to prove it's not immoral to tell the truth," he said.
Members of his military unit have written letters of support and offered to testify on his behalf. More than 70 West Point graduates came out of the closet and joined Knights Out.
Many supporters
Since appearing on Maddow's show, Choi has seen his in-box crowded with e-mail calling him a hero. Although he came out to his parents months before going on television, his mother and his Southern Baptist preacher father in Orange County continued to tell him he was shameful.
Choi took a leave from his Middle East and Religious Studies master's degree program at Harvard to do media interviews, and to take a trip to Italy to celebrate out loud with Matthew, a sales executive for Gucci.
"Coming out has turned into a full-time job," he said.
Choi has never been to a gay pride parade before, and he's thrilled to be part of one of the largest ones in the country. Hundreds of thousands are expected to watch more than 200 floats cruise down Market Street, ushered in by a celebrity grand marshal court that includes Oscar-winning actress Cloris Leachman and "Milk" movie producers Bruce Cohen and Dan Jinks. His San Francisco visit will be life changing - but brief. On Tuesday Choi is due back at the New York National Guard Armory in Syracuse at 8 a.m., to stand trial before a panel of colonels who will decide whether to kick Choi out of the military.
He's prepared for whatever comes. Nothing is worse, he said, than living a lie.
"National security means many things, but the thing that makes us secure in our nation and homes is love - what makes me a better soldier, leader, Christian and human being is love and I didn't want to keep hiding it," Choi said.
Choi will be joined in the parade by his younger sister, one of the first family members he confided in. Twenty-eight members of Knights Out are flying in from around the country to walk behind his car in the parade.
"Living in San Francisco, we can think that all the LGBT rights have been won, but Choi's story shows there is still workplace discrimination where people are frightened to come out and live authentically," said Lindsey Jones, executive director of the Pride Parade.
At least 12,500 discharged
At least 12,500 gays and lesbians have been discharged from military service for violating the "don't ask, don't tell" policy, a political compromise forged when Bill Clinton was president. An estimated 65,000 are believed to be currently serving in the military.
Barack Obama campaigned for the presidency on a promise to repeal the ban on gays in the military, but has yet to take action. On Monday, 77 members of Congress signed a letter to Obama urging him to repeal the ban. In it, they cited Choi's exceptional service and dedication and a May Gallup poll that found 69 percent of Americans - including 58 percent of Republicans - favor allowing openly gay men and lesbian women to serve in the military.
Becky Kanis, who kept her lover a secret until after she graduated from West Point in 1991, will be marching in the Knights Out contingent behind Choi.
It's the first time West Point graduates have ever marched in a gay pride parade - a little historic push toward making the country a more honorable place, she said.
"Having to lie about who you are dating is what hurts unit morale," she said. "People can sense when you are hiding something, and it builds distrust."
During his 15 months in combat in Iraq, Choi helped rebuild hospitals and return soccer stadiums from torture arenas to playing fields. Because he could speak Arabic, he was vital to negotiating between the military and local governments.
And he told several members of his military unit that he was gay. None, he said, had a problem with it, especially other gay soldiers.
"If I lose all my medical benefits, I won't get health care America," Choi said. "But we rebuilt hospitals in Iraq and the doctors I met there would help me. So we have to take a harder look at this issue of morality."

Keep checking here every day for updates. Talk to your friends and you family too. Keep us in your prayers.

DAY 40: DADT Update

2009-06-26T05:48:00.000-07:00

While this blog used to be about me, it no longer is. It is about seeing an end to DADT. It is also not about Daniel Choi. We mention him of course because he has become a symbol of the fight. He is a man who is being kicked out of the military, although enormously qualified, simply because he admitted being gay.

I want to mention that Dan will be in San Francisco this weekend to be one of the Grand Marshalls in the annual LGBT Pride Celebration Parade on Sunday morning. Members and allies of Knights Out will be marching with him. If you are in the SF Bay Area, come on by and show your support! (More information on the parade is at http://sf-pride.org/ and more information about Knights Out can be found at http://knightsout.org - Knights Out is an organization of OUT LGBT West Point Alumni, along with their Straight West Point Alumni, Staff, and Faculty counterparts, who are united in supporting the rights of LGBT soldiers to openly serve their country).

I also want to remind you to write those letters of support. The hearing is next Tuesday. There is more on that on the Knights Out site also.

DAY 39: DADT Update

2009-06-25T05:09:00.000-07:00

If you have just begun reading this let me fill you in on what I am doing here. DADT stands for Don't Ask/Don't Tell and it is the ridiculous policy that ends the careers of gay men and women in the US military. Although I have always fought for social justice for ALL people, I never spent a particularly large amount of time on DADT. This blog was always different and I spoke here of many different things. Thirty nine days ago that all changed. After having heard about Lt. Daniel Choi, I was inspired to read more and then I was inspired to write. I do that every single day now. If you want to keep up to date here, you might want to become a follower.

The document above is the first page of the action against Lt. Choi that will be heard next Tuesday. You can find out more by reading back through some of the past entries here in this blog. You can also go to the website that Lt. Choi just began a few days ago at http://www.ltdanchoi.com/

What else can you do? Tell your friends and your family how you feel. Write letters. Leave comments here. Ideas? Let us hear them too!

DAY 38: DADT Update

2009-06-24T05:56:00.000-07:00

At a press conference Monday, at the offices of Equality Illinois, Senator Roland Burris, said that he opposes the military's “Don't Ask/Don't Tell” policy and that the federal law should be repealed by Congress. With veterans and their supporters standing behind him, Senator Burris addressed a press pool of about 20 people.

Burris is not the only member of Congress to be supportive, just one of the most recent ones. If you have not yet written to your senators and representatives, now would be a great time!

In the last five years the military has discharged almost 800 mission-critical troops and at least 59 Arabic and nine Farsi linguists under DADT. Almost 13,000 service members have been discharged since 1994.

We have been telling you here how you can help and letter writing is certainly an easy way. Don't you think it is ridiculous to be firing these qualified men and women based on their sexual orientation? If this was the public sector, it would be totally illegal!

DAY 37: DADT Update

2009-06-23T05:26:00.000-07:00

You can help Lt. Choi in another way. As most of you know, next Tuesday the Army National Guard will decide to discharge him (fire him from his job) based solely on his truthful statement that he is gay and that he chose to stand trial so he could fight to stay in the service. This happens at the Thompson Road Armory in Syracuse, NY beginning at 8am next Tueday the 30th of June. Send a letter to them and show your personal support.

You can get more information about this and other ideas of how you can help on his website at http://www.ltdanchoi.com/ I have been saying all along that we can all make a difference. Write a letter. Get your friends to write too! In addition, don't just tell the military they need to keep him, also tell the President!

This is just a week from now, so don't wait! I'll keep you posted.

DAY 36: DADT Update

2009-06-22T05:06:00.000-07:00

I'm in Arizona and besides having a good time, I've been looking at a lot of history. In one place I visited, there were tons of old newspapers and magazines. One of them was of a TIME issue that I actually remembered. The cover story was about Leonard Matlovich. (This folks was way before DADT).

Technical Sergeant Leonard Matlovich (1943–1988) was a Vietnam War veteran, race relations instructor, and recipient of the Bronze Star and the Purple Heart. He was also perhaps the best known openly gay man in the US back in the 1970s. His fight to stay in the US Air Force after deciding not to hide and to come of the closet became a cause around which the gay community rallied. Some of you who were alive back then might even remember the television movie.

The above picture is from the September 8, 1975 issue of TIME magazine. Since his death he has been honored several times and to many in our military he too is a symbol of pride.

As we continue to look for an end to DADT, let us remember all who were booted from the military as a result of this policy and all those who were kicked out for being gay, even before then.

DAY 35: DADT Update

2009-06-21T05:32:00.000-07:00

Don't Hide is what it says on those shirts I have spoken of a few times here and it, as I have said is also a good motto for all of us. Now five months into his presidency I might also say to Mr. Obama "Don't hide. Stay true to your promises."

Continuing my vacation here in Arizona, I have to tell you about some Army guys I ran into on a day trip to the Grand Canyon. I thanked them for their service, and then I asked them what they thought about Don't Ask/Don't Tell. All three of them opposed it and did not hesitate to say so! (I didn't ask, but don't think any of the three are gay).

I visited a church in Sodona, AZ this morning and in their newsletter was the following prayer:

Almighty God, we commend to your gracious care and keeping all the men and women of our armed forces at home and abroad. Defend them day by day with your heavenly grace; strengthen them in their trials and temptations; give them courage to face the perils which beset them; and grant them a sense of your abiding presence wherever they may be; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

(please note that it does not say no gays or lesbians - the prayer comments ALL men and women serving)

Oh and by the way, happy Pride Month to you all. There are celebrations all over the world. I'll be marching in the San Francisco one when I get home - Lt. Choi is Grand Marshall in that one. If you are in the SF area, come out and show your support!

DAY 34: DADT Update

2009-06-20T05:28:00.000-07:00

I want to let you know that this is not a one soldier issue. I have often spoken of one man, because he has been so visible and has been interviewed by the media. In fact it was on a television program that he spoke the words that ended his military career. I printed a list a while back of others who have come out, but that is so very incomplete. If you are looking at just those who have been discharged since the beginning of DADT, we are already speaking of thousands of people. There were so many before. Gay many and women have been kicked out of the US military, despite their fine service, throughout history. At the same time, other countries allow gays to serve.

I personally have known gay service personnel. When I first came to San Francisco, I dated a guy who was in the Army. More recently I have gotten to know a man who served in our military and who now is in a relationship with a man in another country’s military. Although I never served in the armed forces myself, I am personally committed to seeing justice for all. If this was the private sector it would have already been solved. What is taking so long? Why is it so hard to do the right thing?

It’s wonderful to see the men and women who have been discharged standing up and speaking out, not just for themselves, but for everyone. I have heard them speaking about more then just the end of DADT. They are speaking out for marriage equality too which also needs to happen! Keep up the good work everyone! Fight the good fight! The day will come.

DAY 33: DADT Update

2009-06-19T05:06:00.000-07:00

Some of you who read this may know me from other places. On facebook I told everyone I would be on vacation, and indeed I am. (I have been for several days, as a matter of fact).

Anyway, the blog continues and I want to repeat something I said the other day. It’s about the shirts. Good idea huh? I love T shirts and these ones send a message: Don’t Hide! Another thing I like about them though is it is a grass roots kind of thing. Lt. Choi’s sister created them. The money goes to help the cause. It’s one of those great win-win kind of situations. Here’s the URL again if you want to go and place an order for one. In fact, if you are going to be part of the March on Washington this fall, order one to wear then and one for all the folks who will be going with you!

I mentioned comments the other day. Please feel free to add your thoughts to any of these posts folks. If you have suggestions or words of encouragement, do share them! They can only help. And do keep the lgbt men and women in our military in your prayers.

DAY 32: DADT Update

2009-06-18T05:23:00.000-07:00

As many of you know, this blog used to change subjects just about every day. I posted mostly about Scriptures and church life, but occasionally got political and often stuck in small glimpses of me and my family and friends. Back in March Lt. Daniel Choi caught my attention and the more I heard the more I wanted to do something. A single post about ending Don’t Ask/Don’t Tell, became a daily crusade.

I have posted news items as they happen. There have been pictures every day, many of them of Lt. Choi. I have made suggestions about how you can help. I’ve even gotten a few comments here. (You can to keep up to date even more with what I write here if you like by registering as a follower and automatically get updates.

The blog may not be much, and I really have no idea how many are reading this, but I have to do something more and hopefully I will reach at least a few people. I have also written to President Obama and to my senators and congresswoman. I also take every opportunity to talk about this to friends. DADT is bad. There is no wiggle room here. It is bad. It needs to end.

And so, I will continue to write about it being ended. Stay tuned!

DAY 31: DADT Update

2009-06-17T05:43:00.000-07:00

The Obama administration yesterday announced that there would be an extension of some benefits to the same-sex partners of federal employees, but stopped short of offering full healthcare coverage. (The actual signing of the document is expected to happen tonight, so details are not complete). Did the President forget we are here? Last week, the Obama administration filed a legal brief defending the law forbidding federal recognition of same-sex marriage, even though Obama opposed it during his presidential campaign. (In a statement the day of the filing, administration attorneys said Obama considered the marriage ban discriminatory and wanted it rescinded, but was legally obligated to defend the law as long as it remained in force). As a candidate, Obama was a staunch supporter of gay and lesbian rights. Since taking office, however, he has disappointed many gay activists by defending some of the policies he criticized. He said he could end Don’t Ask/Don’t Tell, but as we have been saying here, he has done nothing yet.The administration in fact intervened with the Supreme Court and opposed efforts to overturn the "Don't Ask/Don't Tell" policy. The justices sided with the president, declining to hear a constitutional challenge. White House officials say they want Congress to repeal the policy outright instead of having to intervene on a case-by-case basis. What is being done though in Congress? Why is it taking so long? Our men and women in service to our country should not have to keep hiding.

Oh and speaking of don’t hide, check out the shirt Lt. Dan Choi is holding up above. His sister is making them and you can get one! They are using proceeds to fund future legal battles! Go to www.donthidetm.com to place an order. You were looking for ways you could help, here is a way to make the fight more visible and also to put a little money back into the cause.

Today, nearly 70% of Americans favor military service by openly gay men and women. Let’s put an end to DADT now!

DAY 30: DADT Update

2009-06-16T05:27:00.000-07:00

Do you know who Stephen Colbert is? Well it was Stephen Colbert vs Stephen Colbert debating the "Don't Ask/Don't Tell" policy during a taping of his television show with active duty troops in Iraq. The newly-shaved-head comedian had the soldiers practically rolling in the aisles. Wearing a specially designed army fatigue dress suit, Colbert referred to being angered by the recent discharge of Lt. Dan Choi (pictured above from a recent protest)before launching into an extended riff on DADT.

Here's is the transcript of the "debate":
Colbert 1: (holding up a muffler he said was meant to be a gun purchase) "There was a little mix-up - my Arabic translater was kicked out under Don't Ask Don't Tell."
Colbert 2: "Another Arabic translator? That makes 59 in the last 5 years!"
Colbert 1: "Hey, that's the way the military career crumbles. I'm not happy about it, but it's not my responsibility, and it's not the military's responsibility. It is Washington's responsibility. This is a political decision."
Colbert 2: "But in the meantime, people like Lt. Col. Victor Ferenbach are being discharged, after serving 18 years in the Air Force, even though he has 9 Air Medals including one for Valor."
Colbert 1: "Yeah, but he got those medals before he was gay. We have no idea how he would fly now."
Colbert 2: "Well the idea that openly gay service members hurts morale makes no sense to me."
Colbert 1: "Ooooh, it makes no sense to YOU. Have you served in the military?"
Colbert 2: "No, but I've been to Camp Victory."
Colbert 1: "Hey, I've been to the circus but I don't tell bears how to ride bikes. The military depends on unit cohesiveness and maintaining focus on the mission."
Colbert 2: "But how would someone being gay affect that?"
Colbert 1: "Imagine one of us is gay, and ... problem solved."
Colbert 2: "What problem?"
Colbert 1: "I don't know, do you have a problem?"
Colbert 2: "What are you asking me?"
Colbert 1: "I'm not asking you anything. Are you telling me something?"
Colbert 2: "No."
Colbert 1: "Good."
Colbert 2: "Good."
Colbert 1: "See how cohesive we are now? All because I don't know that you're gay."
Colbert 2: "I'm not gay!"
Colbert 1: "(putting fingers over ears) Don't tell me!"
Colbert 2: "Fine. But how could it hurt a military mission?"
Colbert 1: "Consider this scenario. We're a team on a secret mission into enemy territory. North Korea."
Colbert 2: "Oooh, commando stuff. Black ops. Rasberry berets."
Colbert 1: "Yes. Under cover of darkness we sneak through a building full of sleeping guards. As we complete the mission, you turn to me and say, 'for the record, I'm gay'".
Colbert 2: "I'M NOT GAY!"
Colbert 1: "SSHHH!!! NOW YOU WOKE UP THE GUARDS!"
Colbert 2: "NOOOOOO!!!"
Colbert 1: (making machine gun sounds) Get the Americans!"
Colbert 2: "I TAKE IT BACK!"
Colbert 1: "Too late. We're captured and forced to do show tunes for Kim Jong Il."

One more thing: The U.S. Conference of Mayors passed a resolution yesterday calling for full equality of LGBT Americans, including the ability for gays and lesbians to serve openly in the military. Our country's mayors endorsed legislation in Congress (The Military Readiness Enhancement Act) that repeals "Don't Ask/Don't Tell" and replaces it with a policy of nondiscrimination. This is yet another sign the American people, from coast to coast, liberal and conservative, are ready for repeal of this ridiculous policy! Let them know you are happy with their action. Write to your mayor!

DAY 29: DADT Update

2009-06-15T05:09:00.000-07:00

Yesterday I asked if anyone read this. Well someone does, but apparently isn't happy that I don't talk about a variety of topics. He commented on my Saturday post "Its a shame this has become a one-issue blog. I rarely read it anymore." He didn't indicate if he was troubled by the issue, just that there was only one issue.

Well folks, ending the "Don't Ask/Don't Tell poilcy is important! It is something we should all be talking about! Yes, there are other things happening, but most of them are getting attention. (And yes, I know that DADT is getting some attention in other places as well, but I want to keep the spotlight). I'm sorry one of my readers rarely reads this anymore, but I hope he doesn't disappear all together!

Anthony Woods is running for Congress! Who, you ask? Well Anthony is not someone you might have heard of, but I would guess that I will be posting about him here for some time. Raised by a single mother, he went on to serve his country in two tours in Iraq, receive an education at Harvard and a Master's degree from the Kennedy School of Government. He was a co-recipient of the Robert F. Kennedy Public Service Award and organized missions to help rebuild hurricane-ravaged New Orleans. He also spent a summer biking across the country to raise money for Habitat for Humanity. Oh yeah and one more thing: He was kicked out of the military because he is gay! Woods wanted to serve his country on a third tour of Iraq, but then the old DADT reared its ugly head. Are you convinced yet that it should be ended?

Stay tuned!

DAY 28: DADT Update

2009-06-14T05:06:00.000-07:00

As you know I write this every day. What I am curious about is, does anyone read it? There are two people listed as followers of this blog and several people have left comments, so I know that folks read it at least on occasion, but still I wonder how much regular attention it gets. I'm also wondering if I make a difference at all. I hope so. I hope this is helping you think - and getting you involved.

We CAN make a difference! We really all need to act together and with love and affection for each other. I bid your prayers and I ask you to help. Write letters and talk to your friends and your co-workers and your families.

Justice for ALL!

DAY 27: DADT Update

2009-06-13T05:29:00.000-07:00

In April of last year, Barack Obama said he's confident he could end the "Don't Ask/Don't Tell" policy for gays in the military, but he won't make it a criteria for serving on the Joint Chiefs of Staff. "I would never make this a litmus test for the Joint Chiefs of Staff," Obama said during an interview with The Advocate. "What I want are members of the Joint Chiefs of Staff who are making decisions based on what strengthens our military and what is going to make us safer, not ideology," he said.

Of DADT he said ending the policy, is something he could "reasonably" get done if elected. (Reasonably?? What does that mean??) "There's increasing recognition within the armed forces that this is a counterproductive strategy - ya know, we're spending large sums of money to kick highly qualified gays or lesbians out of our military, some of whom possess specialties like Arab-language capabilities that we desperately need. That doesn't make us more safe," he said.

Nothing seems to be happening though. Over a year later it's a case of if you are gay, then stay away (from the military).

DAY 26: DADT Update

2009-06-12T05:15:00.000-07:00

For almost a month now, we have been dedicating this blog completely to the end of DADT. If this is the first time you are reading this, take a look back at some of our previous entries.

Here are some numbers: Most allied forces working alongside U.S. troops in Afghanistan and Iraq allow individuals to serve openly regardless of sexual orientation. Studies of the militaries of Australia, Israel, Great Britain and Canada have shown open service to have no effect on enrollment or retention. The total number of countries allowing openly gay service is 26. The US and Turkey are the only two original NATO countries that still have bans in place. Today, there are at least 65,000 gay Americans serving on active duty and 1 million gay veterans in the United States, according to the Urban Institute. Under the law, at least one individual per day on average is fired because they are gay or lesbian. (Based on SLDN calculations of Pentagon data, 1993-2007). Almost 13,000 service members have been discharged since 1994.

Any thinking person will easily see that this is a bad policy and that it should be ended. President Obama said he would do just that. He didn't say when though. I guess that's what we need to be asking him - When Mister President? When?

DAY 25: DADT Update

2009-06-11T05:47:00.000-07:00

The Santa Barbara Independent recently spoke with Professor Aaron Belkin, director of UCSB' Palm Center, a think tank devoted to researching sexual minorities and the military. Belkin is featured in ASK NOT, a documentary about the military’s Don’t Ask/Don’t Tell policy, which premieres on PBS on June 16.

Belkin told the paper "I would never encourage anyone to break the law, although coming out of the closet in the military isn’t breaking the law, it’s just announcing that you’re willing to be discharged. On the one hand, we have polling data that shows that many people in the military already know a gay person in their unit and the majority of those people don’t have any problem with it. On the one hand, Dan Choi and Darren Manzella are doing what tens of thousands of gays and lesbians are already doing, and straight people are more than professional enough to handle that. On the other hand, it does personify the issue in quite a striking way when an Arabic linguist with Iraq combat experience like Dan Choi says, 'I want to serve. I don’t want to be fired, but I shouldn’t have to live a lie, and it hurts the mission when the government makes me live a lie.'"

The paper's preview of the film is HERE. You can view clips from it HERE.

Stay tuned folks! More and more people are getting involved and speaking out! Hang in there!

DAY 24: DADT Update

2009-06-10T05:13:00.000-07:00

A bit of a clarification on what the Supreme Court did concerning DADT - they had been asked to review a lower court's ruling that threw out a challenge to the military's "Don't Ask/Don't Tell" policy on gay service members. They refused to. That's not really that surprising. The court only accepts just about one percent of the cases presented to it. The Obama administration didn't want it to and even some of the challengers didn't want it to. Looking at the Court as if it did some horrible thing or some truly surprising thing is wrong. I'm disappointed because I think DADT is wrong and needs to be ended, but I am not at all surprised. I think most people really expected this. A denial of review by the Supreme Court on this kind of petition is not a ruling on the merits of the case. Nothing has been changed at all.

And so our watch continues. Stay tuned. Hopefully there will actually be some good news soon!

DAY 23: DADT Update

2009-06-09T05:14:00.000-07:00

The US Supreme Court denied a request yesterday to review whether or not 'Don't Ask/Don't Tell' is unconstitutional, agreeing with President Obama not to intervene in DADT cases. Since its inception, DADT has led to the discharge of nearly 13,000 gay and lesbian soldiers, many of them mission-critical. DADT has recently been a contentious topic of debate and we have been discussing it here for the past three weeks.

President Obama vowed a full repeal during his campaign, but since taking office has backtracked and said he will seek only a partial repeal that strengthens the military. There is growing anger and impatience with the president over what many view as his broken promises to the LGBT community.

Army Captain James Pietrangelo, who was discharged under DADT in 2004, filed the federal lawsuit against the Pentagon and Secretary of Defense Robert Gates, and asked the high court to rule on the constitutionality of DADT. He served six years on the Army, seven years in the National Guard, and fought in the Gulf War in Iraq in 1991. The person we have most mentioned here concerning DADT is Lt. Dan Choi.

Choi was interviewed by CNN's Anderson Cooper and said he felt "extremely disappointed." Choi said soldiers are taught to follow a leader not because of their rank or position, but "because of their courage, because they want to stand up to their responsibilities." Choi said President Obama and all our leaders need to show courage, especially since the country is at war.

"The number one priority is protecting our troops," Choi said. "Don't Ask/Don't Tell doesn't hurt the gay soldiers as much as it hurts the straight soldiers - every unit that is ripped apart because of a soldier being fired for being honest is punished. We need to wake up and realize that the destinies of gay and straight Americans are tied at the hip."

When Cooper pointed out the purpose of DADT was to protect unit cohesion, Choi said, "I think unit cohesion is based on trust and honesty. What [DADT] does is penalize soldiers for doing what they are trained to do - living honesly, having courage, standing up, and not hiding from your responsbilities."

Choi concluded that he was still gay and still a soldier, and all the arguments saying DADT promotes unit cohesion and morality are completely false. "When a soldier is honest, when they are able to have the confidence within their unit to talk about who they really are, the unit gets stronger. The same thing applies to an organization, a church, or a family. When we have a foundation of honesty, it makes the unit stronger."

DAY 22: DADT Update

2009-06-08T05:30:00.000-07:00

Dan Choi is the face (to the right) that I keep showing here. He seems to have become the public face of ending DADT. He is not the only gay soldier to have served in the military though.

The Wall Street Journal, of all places, recently had an piece by a highly decorated former Army Ranger calling for the repeal of DADT. He points to his own experiences:

I was a line infantryman in the Army's Ranger regiment from 2000-04, earning a promotion to sergeant within three years. In that time, my platoon performed dozens of combat missions on the front lines. Our lives depended on complete mutual trust.

Several of my colleagues knew I was gay. We lived in the closest possible conditions. When there were showers, we showered together. When we were out overnight on the cold, bare mountains of Afghanistan, we slept huddled together for warmth. It should go without saying that there was nothing remotely sexual about these situations. We had uncomfortable experiences -- we were at war, after all -- but my buddies were never uncomfortable with me.

DAY 21: DADT Update

2009-06-07T05:44:00.000-07:00

Dan Choi's message is so appropriate as we begin this new week - don't hide. DADT says we must hide. The policy says those in the military cannot be honest - cannot be who they really are. It says they must hide.

We say NO! Don't hide! Don't Ask/Don't Tell MUST end! Do you agree? Do you believe in justice and fairness for all? Then help spread the word!

A Gallup survey out yesterday finds that 58% of conservatives now favor “allowing openly gay men and lesbian women to serve in the military.” In November 2004, that figure was just 46%. Times are changing!

DAY 20: DADT Update

2009-06-06T05:54:00.000-07:00

Second Lieutenant Sandy Tsao (pictured here to the left) is another of those kicked out of the US military because of Don't Ask/Don't Tell. She is the woman the President sent a personal note to. I'm still wondering if the President sent a note to any members of Congress asking them to repeal DADT. What do you think?

Only two people are subscribed to this blog and if they are the only ones reading it, I don't want to be boring and repeat the same thing over and over. I you also read these words, let me know by leaving a comment.

How else can we help in getting an end to DADT? Well I'd love to hear your thoughts!

DAY 19: DADT Update

2009-06-05T05:31:00.000-07:00

We have been writing a lot about Lt. Dan Choi here in this space every day. Our purpose is really not to tell you about him, but about ending Don't Ask/Don't Tell. Dan however cannot be ignored. If it was not for him, I might not have been awakened to the fact that this policy is still in place, despite Obama's promise to do away with it. I have to also say that Dan has been a tireless spokesperson both for an end to DADT and also for same-sex marriage and justice for all. This is one incredible guy.

Years ago Harvey Milk spoke of the importance of coming out - the importance of visibility. Dan Choi is proof that Milk was right!

On March 3rd, California Representative, Ellen Tauscher introduced HR1283, "The Military Readiness Enhancement Act of 2009." The bill seeks to repeal current Department of Defense (DOD) policy concerning homosexuality in the Armed Forces. Within days the bill had gained oner 140 co-sponsors, including all 6 of California's Democrats serving in the House. The bill has been referred to the Subcommittee on Military Personnel - a subcommittee of the House Armed Services Committee.

What does YOUR representative think about this? What does YOUR senator think? Have you contacted them yet? Have you written to the President? Speak up! Together we can make a difference!

DAY 18: DADT Update

2009-06-04T05:35:00.000-07:00

Last month in TIME magazine, Marine General Peter Pace, the chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, is quoted from an interview he did with the Chicago Tribune, telling the paper that "I believe homosexual acts between two individuals are immoral and that we should not condone immoral acts." Well then, that’s that!

No, I’m sorry – it isn’t! There is more to say now for sure. First, when did General Pace become the morality police?
In that same issue of TIME there is this: "General Pace1s comments are outrageous, insensitive and disrespectful to the 65,000 lesbian and gay troops now serving in our armed forces," says C. Dixon Osburn, who heads the Servicemembers Legal Defense Network, a gay advocacy group in Washington (the 65,000 estimate is a UCLA study's estimate, the group said). "Our men and women in uniform make tremendous sacrifices for our country, and deserve General Pace's praise, not his condemnation.”

Check out the entire article. I really cannot do it justice here, and that isn’t even my intention. There is tons of information just about every day now. This is a good thing. More and more men and women are coming out and they need information. They need support. Most of all, they need to know that they are not alone.

This is where you come in once again. Help spread the word. Talk to people. Folks this kind of communicating will not only help end DADT, but it will also help make same-sex marriage a reality from coast to coast!

Congress and the President need to hurry up and take action to repeal Don’t Ask/Don’t Tell, so that gay and lesbian Americans who want to serve their country can get out of the unemployment line and back out on the front lines.

Here (below, from the knightsout.org website) is a list of out West Point Alumni who identify as LGBTQ. As members of the Long Gray Line from West Point, they are a living example of the cadet prayer: "...not to be content with a half truth, when the whole can be won."

Name, West Point Class, Highest Rank Held, Branch of Service
Dandridge Hering 1947 LTC AR
Nicholas Carlson 1958 H-3 MAJ Air Force
Robert Finkenaur 1958 LTC
Stewart Bornhoft 1969 COL EN
Lucian K. Truscott, IV 1969 2LT MP
Howard Voland 1972 CPT FA/QC
Robert Machado 1973 CPT IN
Greer Puckett 1974 CDT N/A
Edmundo Colchado 1976 CPT FA
John Holbert 1977 MAJ IN
Mike Shannan 1977 A-3 CPT IN
George Cuesta 1978 CPT MP
Earle Kirkland 1978 CPT FA
Carol Barkalow 1980 LTC TC
Brenda Sue Fulton 1980 CPT SC
Andrea Hollen 1980 MAJ SC
Regina Todd 1980 LTC EN
Magdaline Caradimitropoulo 1981 CPT EN
Thomas Wuchte 1982 LTC EN
Susann Miguel 1984 CPT OD
Marjorie Rudinsky 1984 MAJ BMO
Tracey Stewart 1984 CDT
Charles Cushman 1986 CPT AR
Lissa Young 1986 LTC AV
Kenneth (Mark) Landes 1987 1LT AR
Clayce Rodamer 1987 2LT ADA
Jeffrey Voigt 1987 LTC IN/AC
Rhonda Cook 1988 CPT MI
Laura Slattery 1988 1LT MC
Roxanne Fox 1989 MAJ OD/CA
Teresa Haering 1989 1LT TC
Sandi Hassett 1989 CPT AV
Ed Urbaniak 1989 CPT AR
Darryl DeMag 1991 CDT
Becky Kanis 1991 CPT SC
Beach Pace 1991 CPT OD
Todd Feemster 1992 2LT AG
Jeffery Freitas 1992 CDT
Deneil LoGiudice 1992 CDT N/A
Scott Melendez 1992 CDT N/A
Brad Sherrill 1993 CPT QM
Jincy Pace 1994 1LT MP
Allyson Robinson 1994 CPT AD
Steven Thornton 1994 CPT AD
Bridget Altenburg 1995 CPT EN
Richard Dickson 1996 CPT OD
Jenn Oliva 1996 CPT MP
Megan Scanlon 1997 CPT TC
Beneka Bali 2000 G3/H3 CPT EN
Gordon-Michael Cox 2000 CPT SC
Patrick Cunanan 2000 2LT
Melissa Lawton 2000 2LT TC
Star Hy 2001 CPT MP/AG
Greg Ogborn 2001 CPT OD
David Moore 2002 CPT EN
Ian Shipps 2002 CPT MSC
Booker Young 2002 1LT AD
Daniel Choi 2003 1LT IN
Sarah Haag 2003 2LT SC
Jeff Oster 2003 CPT
Anthony Woods 2003 CPT AR
Dan Manning 2004 1LT FA
William Johnson 2005 CDT Cook
Harry Leak 2005 CDT N/A
Joseph Simenic 2005 2LT IN
Nicholas Brown 2006 CDT

DAY 17: DADT Update

2009-06-03T05:52:00.000-07:00

Peter Warren Singer is Senior Fellow and Director of the 21st Century Defense Initiative at the Brookings Institution. He writes regularly for the Washington Examiner and yesterday he wrote “” The damning paradox of ‘don’t ask, don’t tell’” – it’s a really good piece which you can read by clicking HERE.

One of the things Singer says is “When running for president, Barack Obama made a commitment to end “don’t ask, don’t tell”; but by one report, 218 service members have been discharged under the policy since he and the new Congress took office. It is now well past time to put national security over social politics, and to allow patriotic and capable Americans like Lt. Dan Choi to continue to serve their nation.”

Also yesterday, MSNBC host David Shuster criticized the President, calling him hypocritical for leaving the "Don't Ask/Don't Tell" policy in place, despite a campaign pledge to end the ban. Shuster singled out Obama in his "Hypocrisy Watch" series, complaining, "But, here we are, more than four months into your administration and the 'Don't Ask/Don't Tell' policy remains in place." Referencing Dan Choi, whom we have been speaking of just about every day here, he said, "To continue to kick out soldiers like Daniel Choi, to continue 'Don't Ask/Don't Tell' four months into your presidency, that's hypocrisy and it's wrong."

Well my friends, what do YOU think? I keep hoping to hear some of your comments. Write to me! Write to President Obama too and write to your representatives and senators!

DAY 16: DADT Update

2009-06-02T05:08:00.000-07:00

Don't Ask/Don't Tell is a policy that 75% of Americans favor repealing, yet it still hasn't been! Why?

While many have come out and many have even spoken out, we have posted largely here about Lt. Daniel Choi. Here is some of what he had to say in a speech last week:

We can't wait for somebody else to give us rights. We have to stand up. If we want our rights. We gotta fight for them… Let me tell you a little bit about Don't Ask Don't Tell. It is a deadly poison. It is the most toxic. That's military talk. Civilians try to call it the closet but it's toxic poison. Do not force that toxic poison. Do not inject that toxic poison in them anymore. Let them out of the closet!

It's not about my career. It's not about my pay grade. It's not about money. It's not about elections. It's about telling them [gay service members], you are not alone. So I gave a message to President Obama. Repeal Don't Ask Don't Tell. Stop forcing them to lie. Stop forcing our soldiers to lie. Stop forcing our soldiers to hide. Stop forcing our soldiers to be injected with the closet. And let them be free to serve!

DAY 15: DADT Update

2009-06-01T05:15:00.000-07:00

When the President of the United States writes a personal handwritten note to someone, it would seem to be a hopeful sign. The note pictured here though has been the only move we have seen so far from the President. I can only hope that with the start of a new month today, we will also see the start of action by The White House!

Former President William Jefferson Clinton weighed into the debate on Don’t Ask/Don’t Tell this past week making him the highest ranking person in the country to speak out on this subject. It was under Clinton’s leadership that the policy known as DADT was implemented. He did so, he says, as an attempt to repeal the old policy concerning homosexuality in the military. Prior to DADT, even the suspicion of someone being homosexual was enough to earn them a dishonorable discharge, and prior to that policy being implemented in 1943, anyone caught engaging in homosexual behavior earned a dishonorable discharge. That policy dated to the founding of the Continental Army.

I should also point out that Bill Clinton was also the one who signed the Defense of Marriage Act. DOMA prevents each state from recognizing any marriage equality laws passed by other states as well as preventing the Federal government from recognizing these marriages.

Clinton now thinks it is time to end DADT. He stated that his views on the subject are evolving as he gets to know many dedicated same-sex couples who hare raising children of their own.
This is one reason why I keep urging folks to be visible. Come out! Be honest. When people get to know us, they realize we are human. We deserve to be treated fairly. Also, talk to people. Share your views. Listen to others and respond. Communications is very important in changing people’s minds! Keep on communicating!

DAY 14: DADT Update

2009-05-31T05:27:00.000-07:00

An estimated 3,000 activists rallied in California's heartland yesterday for the Meet In The Middle 4 Equality event, which was preceded by a 14-mile march from the symbolically chosen town of Selma. I wish I could have been with them. Try though as I did, I could not arrange transportation. Anyway, from what I hear, it was an exciting day as thousands rallied in Fresno aiming to persuade California’s conservative heartland to support same-sex marriage rights. This was not an event to end Don’t Ask/Don’t Tell, but I’m going to take a few minutes to talk about it anyway. By the way, Lt. Dan Choi (pictured above) was among the many speakers.

The Reverend Eric Lee, President of the Southern Christian Leadership Conference, likened yesterday's march to the Civil Rights movement of the 1960's. "They walked 51 miles. We walked 15 miles. The pain that is in my feet, in my knees and in my back is nothing compared to the pain of injustice that you are going through right now," he said. "It does not compare to the discrimination that you are facing and I will walk another 15 miles and another 15 miles until we have marriage equality."

Choi and Lee were not the only speakers. Christine Chavez, granddaughter of United Farm Workers' Union Cesar Chavez, also spoke to the crowd, offering support. Academy Award-Winning Screenwriter Dustin Lance Black spoke too, as did actor Eric McCormick of Will and Grace.

China Daily has coverage HERE and you can also check out your favorite lgbt papers including the BAR.

Before I close my Sunday post I want to assure you that DADT is still very important to me. There is not news every single day though, so some of these entries may be more general in nature. The US House and Senate are in recess for Memorial Day Week, May 25-29. Now is the time to ask your congressional representatives to co-sponsor the Military Readiness Enhancement Act. Write or visit your Representative and ask him or her to co-sponsor the Military Readiness Enhancement Act (H.R. 1283) which repeals the “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell” law and allows gays and lesbians to serve openly in the military. So far 141 co-sponsors have been signed up, but more are needed in order to have a real shot at passing the law this session.
If your Representative is already a co-sponsor, ask him/her how we can help make this legislation a priority. It was Daniel Choi’s coming out that really inspired me, and I continue to watch his numerous contributions to our struggle. Help us!

A few days ago at a rally folloing the California Supreme Court’s ruling on Prop 8, Dan was shared a love poem in Arabic and then translated it in to English:

“You are free
You are free in front of the noon day sun
You are free before the moon and you are free before the stars
And you are free when there is no sun
You are free when there is no moon and there’s not a single star
But you are a slave; you are a slave to the one you love because you love him
And you are a slave to the one you love because he loves you back”

He said the author wrote this because, “LOVE IS WORTH IT.” It is indeed Daniel. It is indeed!

DAY 13: DADT Update

2009-05-30T05:33:00.000-07:00

As you know we have been writing here about Don’t Ask/Don’t Tell for a couple of weeks now. There have been little flashes of news, but nothing major yet. Don’t give up though. Good things sometimes take time!

We told you a little about Lt. Dan Choi’s appearances Tuesday and Wednesday of this week. On Wednesday he defied the orders of dozens of crowd control police and stepped into the “no protest zone” street to ceremoniously salute (pictured, above) his Commander in Chief, Barack Obama, who was at a star-studded fundraiser at the posh Beverly Hilton Hotel. Courage. That’s what Choi is made of!

I’m not sure if I have mentioned it here yet, but Lt. Choi will also be part of the Knights Out contingent in the Pride Parade here in San Francisco at the end of next month. The group of West Point alumni recently came out as gay. Lt. Choi has been very busy since he came out on national television back in March. I think he has put the spotlight back on DADT though and on the President, and hopefully there will actually be some action – soon!

By the way, Knights Out has a website and I urge you to take a look: http://knightsout.org/

Stay tuned!

DAY 12: DADT Update

2009-05-29T05:55:00.000-07:00

President Barack Obama's campaign promise to scrap the military's "Don't Ask/Don't Tell" policy gave Lt. Col. Victor Fehrenbach hope. Now the aviator is wondering if the president will deliver in time to save his 18-year Air Force career. Lt. Dan Choi is wondering too. So am I. How many days has it been so far? The Servicemembers Legal Defense Network, an advocacy group seeking equal treatment of gays in the military, estimates that more than 200 service members have been discharged under "Don't Ask/Don't Tell" since Obama was sworn into office in January.

At yesterday's White House Press Briefing, Robert Gibbs was asked, once again about "Don't Ask/Don't Tell" at the top of the briefing, and again said that the President was "working with the Joint Chiefs, the Pentagon and others to bring about a change in that policy." A Politics Daily reporter then asked why the president wouldn't put a moratorium on discharges if he truly thinks the policy runs counter to our national interests. "The president and legal team here believe that in order to have a durable solution to this, legislation is the only way to go," Gibbs said.

Folks, we need to keep speaking up! If you did not write to the President, Vice President, Speaker Pelosi, your senators and others, do it now!

Dan Choi will be walking from Selma to Fresno tomorrow from 8am to 1pm, then giving a speech on "Don't Ask/Don't Tell" at the "MEET IN THE MIDDLE FOR EQUALITY" events. Be sure to stop by and say hi to Dan if you're in the area and let him know you support him!

DAY 11: DADT Update

2009-05-28T05:45:00.000-07:00

Lt. Dan Choi, an Arabic-speaking specialist dismissed through the 'Don't Ask/Don't Tell' policy, commented on Proposition 8 yesterday, outside the Beverly Hills hotel, where President Barack Obama attended a benefit dinner last night. Dan had spoken at several rallies on Tuesday as well. (Does he get any sleep?)

Last night was the most recent occasion to ask the President if he is going to make good on his promise to end DADT. Will we soon have an answer? Stay tuned folks!

This might also be a good time for me to remind you of what Mr. Obama had to say when he was running for President. This is his open letter to the lgbt community:

I'm running for President to build an America that lives up to our founding promise of equality for all - a promise that extends to our gay brothers and sisters. It's wrong to have millions of Americans living as second-class citizens in this nation. And I ask for your support in this election so that together we can bring about real change for all LGBT Americans.Equality is a moral imperative. That's why throughout my career, I have fought to eliminate discrimination against LGBT Americans. In Illinois, I co-sponsored a fully inclusive bill that prohibited discrimination on the basis of both sexual orientation and gender identity, extending protection to the workplace, housing, and places of public accommodation. In the U.S. Senate, I have co-sponsored bills that would equalize tax treatment for same-sex couples and provide benefits to domestic partners of federal employees. And as president, I will place the weight of my administration behind the enactment of the Matthew Shepard Act to outlaw hate crimes and a fully inclusive Employment Non-Discrimination Act to outlaw workplace discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation and gender identity.As your President, I will use the bully pulpit to urge states to treat same-sex couples with full equality in their family and adoption laws. I personally believe that civil unions represent the best way to secure that equal treatment. But I also believe that the federal government should not stand in the way of states that want to decide on their own how best to pursue equality for gay and lesbian couples - whether that means a domestic partnership, a civil union, or a civil marriage. Unlike Senator Clinton, I support the complete repeal of the Defense of Marriage Act (DOMA) - a position I have held since before arriving in the U.S. Senate. While some say we should repeal only part of the law, I believe we should get rid of that statute altogether. Federal law should not discriminate in any way against gay and lesbian couples, which is precisely what DOMA does. I have also called for us to repeal Don't Ask, Don't Tell, and I have worked to improve the Uniting American Families Act so we can afford same-sex couples the same rights and obligations as married couples in our immigration system.The next president must also address the HIV/AIDS epidemic. When it comes to prevention, we do not have to choose between values and science. While abstinence education should be part of any strategy, we also need to use common sense. We should have age-appropriate sex education that includes information about contraception. We should pass the JUSTICE Act to combat infection within our prison population. And we should lift the federal ban on needle exchange, which could dramatically reduce rates of infection among drug users. In addition, local governments can protect public health by distributing contraceptives.We also need a president who's willing to confront the stigma - too often tied to homophobia - that continues to surround HIV/AIDS. I confronted this stigma directly in a speech to evangelicals at Rick Warren's Saddleback Church, and will continue to speak out as president. That is where I stand on the major issues of the day. But having the right positions on the issues is only half the battle. The other half is to win broad support for those positions. And winning broad support will require stepping outside our comfort zone. If we want to repeal DOMA, repeal Don't Ask, Don't Tell, and implement fully inclusive laws outlawing hate crimes and discrimination in the workplace, we need to bring the message of LGBT equality to skeptical audiences as well as friendly ones - and that's what I've done throughout my career. I brought this message of inclusiveness to all of America in my keynote address at the 2004 Democratic convention. I talked about the need to fight homophobia when I announced my candidacy for President, and I have been talking about LGBT equality to a number of groups during this campaign - from local LGBT activists to rural farmers to parishioners at Ebenezer Baptist Church in Atlanta, where Dr. Martin Luther King once preached.Just as important, I have been listening to what all Americans have to say. I will never compromise on my commitment to equal rights for all LGBT Americans. But neither will I close my ears to the voices of those who still need to be convinced. That is the work we must do to move forward together. It is difficult. It is challenging. And it is necessary.Americans are yearning for leadership that can empower us to reach for what we know is possible. I believe that we can achieve the goal of full equality for the millions of LGBT people in this country. To do that, we need leadership that can appeal to the best parts of the human spirit. Join with me, and I will provide that leadership. Together, we will achieve real equality for all Americans, gay and straight alike.

DAY 10: DADT Update

2009-05-27T05:21:00.000-07:00

Wearing a shirt that said "Don't Hide," Lt Dan Choi did yesterday just what he has been doing all along - speaking the truth. He was very visible at several Day of Decision events following the disappointing announcement by the California Supreme Court. Dan wasn't just talking about Don't Ask/Don't Tell though. He let everyone know he is for equal rights for everyone and that include making same-sex marriage legal once again. Rallies in East LA, West Hollywood and Hollywood weren't all that Dan was doing either. I'm told he was also preparing to speak to the President who will be in LA today. Choi is expected to ask Obama to respond to a petition signed by roughly 136,000 people to end “Don’t Ask Don’t Tell” and not to fire Lt. Choi.

Have you signed the petition yet folks? You can still add your name! You can also let your senator and representative know how you feel. Send them an email or write them a letter. Urge your friends to do the same. Just as with the battle to legalize gay marriage, we cannot take anything for granted! Speak up! Let Dan Choi and the others know you stand with them.

Despite overtures from the White House about crafting legislation to end the military's controversial "Don't Ask/Don't Tell" policy though, the Pentagon said yesterday it has no plans to repeal the current measure. Pentagon spokesman Geoff Morrell said the military has had only initial discussions with the White House about whether gay troops should be allowed to openly serve and that they have not asked for the 1993 policy to be scrapped. I'll be very interested in what the President has to say today!

BREAKING NEWS: I am still a second class citizen!

2009-05-26T10:07:00.000-07:00

THE CALIFORNIA SUPREME COURT HAS JUST ANNOUNCED THAT I CONTINUE TO BE A SECOND CLASS CITIZEN! That isn't exactly the wording they used of course. What happened was they affirmed Proposition 8 - Same-sex marriage in California is prohibited by the state's constitution, though existing same-sex marriages solemnized before the passage of Prop 8 will continue to be valid.

I urge you to participate in your local Day of Decision events this evening, and invite everyone you know to do the same. A fairly comprehensive list of events all over the country can be found at http://www.dayofdecision.com/#cities. I am not sure if Lt. Choi is attending any of these events or if his partner Matthew is in California with him. Lt. Choi is expected to participate in two events this weekend: in Fresno on Saturday and Orange County on Sunday. Both are general gay rights events, not DADT specific (but will no doubt have a large Prop 8 color in the wake of today's decision).

DAY 9: DADT Update

2009-05-26T05:46:00.000-07:00

Here it is Tuesday morning and in addition to watching for news concerning DADT, the world is watching to see what the California Supreme Court is going to say about Proposition 8. Will it be upheld? In a few hours we will know.

Regardless of what happens, we must stay strong and we must keep our diginity. Let the other folks act like jerks. Lately I have pointed a lot to Lt. Dan Choi, but once again it is appropriate. Remember the dignity with which he has carried himself? Let us all continue to follow his example. Hopefully we will all soon be equal, both on the battlefield and in the wedding chapel.

Day 8: DADT Update

2009-05-25T05:14:00.000-07:00

Today is Memorial Day in the United States, a federal holiday observed on the last Monday of May each year. Formerly known as Decoration Day, it commemorates American men and women who died while in the military service. First enacted to honor Union soldiers of the American Civil War (it is celebrated near the day of reunification after the civil war), it was expanded after World War I to include American casualties of any war or military action.

We know the names of those of have died, but in most cases we don't know there sexual orientation. Normally it shouldn't even matter, but there HAVE been gay men and women in the US military who have been in harms way and some of them have died in battle. Today, as we work for an end to the "Don't Ask/Don't Tell" policy, let us remember all the contributions that there have been by our sisters and brothers who happen to be gay, lesbian or bisexual.

DADT is not just something that concerns those who are in the military. We are speaking of basic human rights. Please join me in working to see that it is ended and that ALL are treated fairly. And on this Memorial Day, let us give thanks for the courage of Lt. Choi who go tme started here - for his great courage in coming out and for all of the other men and women who have bravely come out. Let is remember our fallen men and women, INCLUDING those who happen to be gay.

DAY 7: DADT Update

2009-05-24T05:10:00.000-07:00

I'm not sure how many people are reading this or if any of you have been moved to action - it would be lovely to receive you emails: michael_advent@yahoo.com or you can simply leave a comment here in the blog. There won't necessarily be big news here every day. I wasn't expecting that.

Defense Secretary Robert Gates said recently that if the ban were lifted, it would be "difficult" for the military to restructure its units to accommodate gays. The suggestion is that even if it were to happen, it would take time to implement. Also, White House press secretary Robert Gibbs said President Obama recognized that the current practice of banning gays from the military, while leaving an estimated 65,000 to serve as long as they don't disclose their homosexuality, "isn't working for our national interests." But change requires "more than the snapping of one's fingers," Gibbs said, explaining that Obama considers congressional action to repeal the ban the best way of ensuring fundamental change.

By the way, since 1994, more than 12,500 men and women have been discharged from the armed forces for being gay, including nearly 800 "mission-critical specialists" such as Lt. Dan Choi, who go me started on this daily effort. Oh and by the way, the first Army Federal Recognition Retention hearing is scheduled for June 9th. More details when they become available. Joint Chiefs Chairman Adm. Michael Mullen will appear later today on the ABC news program "This Week with George Stephanopoulos" and is likely to be asked some tough questions - tune in!

Also want to remind you that tomorrow is Memorial Day and I hope you will remember all of our military, including our lgbt in uniform.

DAY 6: End DADT Watch

2009-05-23T05:37:00.000-07:00

Despite the many press conferences and nationwide addresses that our President has held, Obama has been largely silent on the stories of Lt. Dan Choi and Lt. Col. Victor Fehrenbach. He did indeed write that note note to Second Lieutenant Sandy Tsao, but has he written to members of Congress? Has he stood up and said this policy needs to go NOW? Well, no he hasn't. Will he do anything? Well he made a campaign promise and he says he intends to keep in. In his note to Lt Tsao he said he needs time and that the Congress needs to do the big task. It seems to me that now would be a good time for him to be talking to the Vice President and the Speaker and ranking members of both houses.

What can you do? Well the answer is the same as it was when we began writing about this last Monday. Be informed. Spread the word. Let people know how you feel. Part of this is writing letters and sending emails. Last night I saw a young gentleman whom I first met last fall when we talked about Prop 8. This time I asked him if he knew who Dan Choi is. I also gave him the URL to this blog. He's the kind of guy who will do something, so I hope he does come here and read these words!

We CAN make a difference!

DADT Update

2009-05-22T05:50:00.000-07:00

The White House insisted yesterday that officials are working to overturn a policy that bans gays and lesbians from serving openly in the military, pushing back against Pentagon assessments that such efforts were low priorities and Democratic activists' complaint of slow progress. White House spokesman Robert Gibbs told reporters that President Barack Obama is committed to reversing the Clinton-era policy of "Don't ask/Don't tell." Congress would have to take action to change the policy. "Try as one may, a president can't simply whisk away standing law of the United States of America," Gibbs said. "But if you're going to change the policy, if it is the law of the land, you have to do it through an act of Congress."

Well yes, and no. There is still a lot the President can do on his own. The administration has drawn criticism from gay and lesbian activists for not moving quickly enough to repeal the policy. I have to agree. But now there ares some signs that he is doing something.

Earlier in the week Pentagon spokesman Geoff Morrell said the military has no plans to repeal the policy and that the White House had not asked for the 1993 policy to be scrapped.
Two days later, Gibbs said Morrell had backed off that position; Morrell released a statement hours later doing just that. "President Obama has been clear in his direction to Secretary (Robert) Gates and (Joint Chiefs) Chairman (Mike) Mullen that he is committed to repeal the 'Don't ask/Don't tell' policy. He has also been clear that he is committed to do it in a way that is least disruptive to our troops, especially given that they have been simultaneously waging two wars for six years now," Morrell said.

I'm not saying we should wait and see, but I will take a deep breath. In the mean time, have you told your senators and your congressperson how you feel? Have you sent a message to Mr. Obama? We can help move things along if we speak up!

Stay tuned!

I'm still looking for an end to DADT!

2009-05-21T05:42:00.000-07:00

President Obama's campaign promise to end the ban on gays in the military - and the "Don't ask/Don't tell" policy that forces thousands of military personnel to stay in the closet - appears to be driven now by a strategy of "don't rush."The recent coming-out by dozens of gay West Point graduates, including Arabic language specialist Lt. Daniel Choi of Tustin, has spotlighted the conflicting policies and put pressure on Congress and the White House to make good on promises to repeal them. I have to admit (actually I believe I already have), that it was Daniel that woke me up to this in the first place.

A report issued last week by UC Santa Barbara's Palm Center research institute said Obama had the power to thwart the discharging of military personnel for their sexual orientation. Under the "stop-loss" provision, the President can issue executive orders to retain any soldier deemed necessary to the service in a time of national emergency, the report said. Also, the President could halt the work of Pentagon review panels that brand troops as gay and thus excluded from service, the report said. And Obama and his Defense secretary could revise discharge procedures, as allowed under the 1993 law banning gays in the military.

Could and will of course are not the same thing. Obama has been in office for four months now. Of course some argue that he has been busy with other things. Indeed he has, but I would think he is able to milti-task!

So, if you haven't already written to him, do so. Let he know what you think!

More on DADT

2009-05-20T05:41:00.000-07:00

Well here we are at my third day of DADT postings. (Hopefully something good will come soon so you want have to hear the same subject from me day after day).

If you are just reading here for the first time, Don't ask, don't tell is the common term for the policy about homosexuality in the U.S. military mandated by federal law Pub.L. 103-160 (10 U.S.C. § 654). Unless one of the exceptions from 10 U.S.C. § 654(b) applies, the policy prohibits anyone who "demonstrate(s) a propensity or intent to engage in homosexual acts" from serving in the armed forces of the United States, because it "would create an unacceptable risk to the high standards of morale, good order and discipline, and unit cohesion that are the essence of military capability."

Lieutenant Colonel Victor Fehrenbach is an F-15E aviator with nine air medals - and the next service member to be fired under "Don't Ask, Don't Tell." Last night, Fehrenbach appeared on the Rachel Maddow Show to share his discharge story, just like Lt. Choi did. Fehrenbach originally put off appealing his discharge in the hopes President Obama and Congress would overturn DADT. But because Congress and the Administration have not acted with any urgency, he is now challenging his discharge, fighting to serve his country and keep his retirement. It’s time for all of us to act! Tell the President what you think!

My posts started here because of Lt. Dan Choi. They will continue here until there is justice, not all for Dan but for all in the military. Mr. President: Don't Fire Lt. Choi!

End DADT Now!

2009-05-19T05:39:00.000-07:00

Just in case you missed our entry here yesterday, I want to update you. Lt. Dan Choi, originally from Orange County, California, is a graduate of the U.S. Military Academy at West Point and an Iraq War veteran. Last March he went on Rachel Maddow's show and spoke three truthful words: "I am gay." As a result Lt. Choi received a letter from the Army on April 23 discharging him for violating the "Don't Ask, Don't Tell" policy. He told Rachel Maddow the letter was "a slap in the face" to himself and the soldiers he as commanded and served with over the past decade. Lt. Choi is fighting. I want to help him and help all the others that serve in our country’s military. I invite you to help too!

The Courage Campaign has nearly 120,000 signatures on its "Don't Fire Dan Choi" petition and there is room for your signature as well. Go to http://www.couragecampaign.org/page/s/dontfiredan to sign and to see a video. Also you can get one of those t-shirts I mentioned here yesterday - go to http://www.cafepress.com/DontFire to order one. Plus you can tell your friends and you can write letters. I just might write only about DADT here in my blog, until it is repealed! What do you think?

By the way, Lt. Choi, who now lives in New York, will be coming to California a number of times in the month ahead. He will be a celebrity grand marshal in the San Francisco LGBT Pride Parade on Sunday, June 28.

END Don't Ask/Don't Tell!

2009-05-18T05:08:00.000-07:00

By saying three words to you today - "I am gay" - those three words are in violation of Title 10 of the U.S. code. It’s a code that is polluted by the people who want us to lie… it’s an immoral code that goes against every single thing that we were taught at West Point with our honor code.

A month and a half after Lt. Daniel Choi said those words on The Rachel Maddow Show, he received a letter formally kicking him out of the Army National Guard. Lt. Choi is a West Point grad, an Iraq war vet and Arabic translator, but none of that mattered to the Don't Ask Don't Tell folks in the Defense Department. My question is this: how many more people are we going to kick out of the military because of this ridiculous policy?

Choi is certainly not the first. But here's the thing - we now have a President who has said he opposes the policy and wants to see it ended. As Commander In Chief, he has the authority to do just that - end it! Will Obama keep his promise?

I just signed a Courage Campaign petition to President Obama urging him to do the right thing - to do what he said he would do. He can stop the discharge of Lt. Choi and other LGBT soldiers. You can sign the petition too and you can helo make a difference! The Courage Campaign will deliver the petition to the president -- that's why it is important that as many people as possible speak out right now. CLICK HERE is you are willing to sign too! You can also order a shirt if you like (the money will go to help end DADT) by clicking HERE. And tell your friends!

We plow the fields, and scatter

2009-05-17T05:09:00.000-07:00

Today is Rogation Sunday. Beating the Bounds (pictured) is an ancient custom still observed in many churches in England. The priest of the parish with the leaders and the parochial officials headed a crowd of boys who, armed with green boughs, usually birch or willow, beat the parish boundary markers with them. Sometimes the boys were themselves whipped or even violently bumped on the boundary-stones to make them remember. Prayers were said for protection and blessings for the lands. We still say prayers for the land and we will be doing that at my parish today.

We plow the fields, and scatter the good seed on the land,but it is fed and watered by God's almighty hand;he sends the snow in winter, the warmth to swell the grain,the breezes and the sunshine, and soft refreshing rain.

All good gifts around usare sent from heaven above,then thank the Lord, O thank the Lordfor all his love.

And so a happy Rogation Sunday to you all! (Oh yes and many thanks to Deacon Liz for all she has done and all I know you will be doing today)!

I hate the word goodbye

2009-05-16T05:33:00.000-07:00

Sylvia Chacon. In San Francisco, everyone knows her. (pictured at the right) She has had quite a run on local radio. I wish I could say I listed to her every day, but her latest gig has been middays, and I'm busy working then. I rarely get to listen to Sylvia. Now I can't listen to her at all. Clear Channel has let her go. (An additional sad thing about this is the station is not going to have any of its own live talent, except for the morning program).

I can tell you that besides being a fine radio personality, Sylvia is also a great person. I know this for certain, because among the many things I have seen her do, she has also been a sponsor of mine in AIDS Walk.

Sylvia has been the midday DJ at Star 101 since 2004. Before that she had been at KFRC.

I won't say goodbye. I hate the word goodbye. Still I will miss hearing her voice and seeing her smiling face. Hopefully she'll have another Bay Area gig lined up real soon!

If it's not one thing . . .

2009-05-15T05:19:00.000-07:00

This one is from the if it's not one thing it's another file

(there have been several not so wonderful moments lately) -

I have received a letter from the Internal Revenue Service telling me that I owe them money! (what joy, huh?) It seems that in 2007 a company forgave a debt that I owed and that counts as income. That company reported it to the IRS and I owed tax - who knew? Anyway, this is the first I realized this. I'm really not a tax cheat. Problem is, I have to pay the tax with interest within 30 days or I will also have a penalty to pay! What other bad news is going to come my way?

If a company ever forgives a debt for you, know this: you are still going to pay!

Repent!

2009-05-14T05:48:00.000-07:00

Today on the corner where I work there was screaming - loud almost violent screaming. The person was saying "Repent! Read your Bibles! Don't go to hell with Gavin Newsom!" (Newsom is San Francisco's Mayor). The man would look directly at someone nearby and scream "Two men cannot marry! Two women cannot marry! Jesus only wants a man and a woman to marry!" At about this point he would shout a few more things and then repeat the entire message. Someone recognized the screamer and said he regularly does it on Market Street.

This is not the first person to say that Jesus does not want same-sex couples. He will most likely not be the last either. My problem with this is that of course Jesus did not say this. This is nothing from Jesus about same-sex unions anywhere in Scripture!

"Read your Bibles!" Perhaps that is what we should be shouting to them. One central theme in The Bible is love. I pray that the day will come when all truly can love!