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20 Sep 2011 18:28

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U.S.: The end of “don’t ask, don’t tell,” summed up in a single video

  • The first day of a new military reality: It’s easy, especially when major civil rights policy comes down to a big, dramatic vote, to check the “accomplished” box and move along. In the case of the repeal of Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell, this would have been considerably premature, as it wasn’t until midnight this morning that the ban was finally lifted. Congratulations to all the people who’ve had the weight of a big injustice pulled off their shoulders by this. The above video was recorded hours after the ban was lifted, and is a pretty emotional scene to watch unfold; a soldier, finally able to state his sexuality without discrimination from the military, calls his father to come out to his family. Be warned, it might make you a bit misty-eyed. source
Posted by Chris Tognotti • 0 Comments • Permalink

20 Sep 2011 10:29

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Politics: “Don’t ask, don’t tell” repeal: Here’s one of the first people to test the policy

  • This is why I chose to come out on Day 1 after the policy changed. I chose to come out publicly for the thousands of gay military members who have been told they are a risk if they serve in the military openly and honestly. People may say what I’m doing is attention-seeking or not befitting a military officer, but that very mentality shows the prejudice we still harbor when it comes to sexual orientation.
  • Air Force First Lieutenant Josh Seefried • Discussing his choice to come out on the very first day of the official repeal of “don’t ask, don’t tell.” Seefried had planned for this moment. See, Seefried launched OutServe, an organization for gay service members, while working under the pseudonym “JD Smith.” So it only makes sense that he’d be one of the very first people to come out under the new policy — and in a bold way, as a guest columnist for The Daily Beast. More power to him. source
Posted by Ernie Smith • 0 Comments • Permalink

11 May 2011 10:16

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U.S., World: Navy’s forward-thinking gay marriage stance folds amid pressure

  • forward … Earlier this week, the Navy (the most progressive of the military branches, apparently) announced they would let their chaplains perform gay marriages if the Pentagon gives the all-clear for openly gay service members. Gay rights advocates cheered.
  • … and back Unfortunately, Congress did not cheer. More than 60 House members pressured the Navy to reverse course, saying it violated the Defense of Marriage Act. The Navy backed down. Boo. One step forward for gay rights, then two big steps back. source
Posted by Ernie Smith • 0 Comments • Permalink

18 Dec 2010 15:39

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U.S.: “Don’t ask, don’t tell” repealed; here’s a romantic scene from the Senate

Kirsten Gillibrand and Harry Reid sure seem a little, um … lovey-dovey over finally pushing through the repeal of “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell.” Aww. source
Posted by Ernie Smith • 0 Comments • Permalink

18 Dec 2010 11:53

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U.S.: DREAM Act falters, DADT repeal gets past debate in Senate

  • 55-41 the Senate wasn’t really into the DREAM Act
  • 63-33 however, they can back a DADT repeal (WHOO) source
Posted by Ernie Smith • 0 Comments • Permalink

30 Nov 2010 22:12

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U.S.: Most soldiers OK with gays openly serving, but many aren’t

  • 30% of military think gay soldiers will make it harder to work
  • 43% of Marines think that openly gay soldiers could be a distraction
  • 48% of Army combat units think it’ll have a negative effect on their job
  • 58% of Marine combat units feel the same way about the thang source
Posted by Ernie Smith • 0 Comments • Permalink

12 Nov 2010 15:25

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U.S.: Supreme Court: “Don’t ask” stays put in the military for now

  • sigh … “Don’t ask, don’t tell” was blocked in a lower court, only to be temporarily allowed again by a federal appeals court.
  • … sigh It was appealed to the Supreme Court, where they kept the ban intact while the lower courts duke it out. Wait it out, kids. source
  • » What happens next: The policy will stay in place until at least mid-March, when a federal appeals court decides what happens next. A lot suggests it won’t hold water – for example, a Defense Department panel recently found that the policy could be reversed with little to no negative effect on troops, which goes against most arguments being made by opponents of “don’t ask.”
Posted by Ernie Smith • 0 Comments • Permalink
 

01 Nov 2010 21:25

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U.S.: Will “Don’t Ask Don’t Tell” soften during the appeals process?

  • NO “don’t ask” won’t go away while Obama defends it source
Posted by Ernie Smith • 0 Comments • Permalink

19 Oct 2010 20:56

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U.S.: Gay (back) in the military: Welcome back to the Army, Dan Choi.

Hey Dan Choi, welcome back to the Army. Your public-face-of-the-movement fighting really helped keep this issue in the front burner. source
Posted by Ernie Smith • 0 Comments • Permalink

24 Sep 2010 19:13

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U.S.: Federal judge to military: Reinstate lesbian Air Force member

  • Another major sign that the tide is turning. But beyond the larger political ammo it offers, it’s a major win for Major Margaret Witt, who was dismissed from the military as a result of her sexuality. In the two-week nonjury “bench” trial, brought with the help of the American Civil Liberties Union, many of her co-workers supporter her. The Air Force, however, argued that they had to keep a consistent position on the issue for morale reasons. We’ll see what happens. source
Posted by Ernie Smith • 0 Comments • Permalink
 
 
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