Over 100 Military Leaders Call for Repeal of DADT

On Monday, over 100 retired generals and admirals called for a repeal of the U.S. military’s “don’t ask, don’t tell” policy so that gays would be allowed to openly serve serve in the military, according to a statement obtained by The Associated Press.

The call from the military veterans confronts the incoming administration of President-elect Barack Obama with a political and cultural issue that proved to be troublesome for former President Bill Clinton.  The officers who participated and are encouraging the repeal stated in a letter;

“As is the case with Great Britain, Israel, and other nations that allow gays and lesbians to serve openly, our service members are professionals who are able to work together effectively despite differences in race, gender, religion, and sexuality,”

Obama expressed support for the repeal during his campaign but also said he would not make this decision on his own, but instead he would work with military leaders to build consensus on removing the ban on openly gay service members.

“Although I have consistently said I would repeal ‘don’t ask, don’t tell,’ I believe that the way to do it is make sure that we are working through a process, getting the Joint Chiefs of Staff clear in terms of what our priorities are going to be.”

Where the Candidates Stand on GLBT Rights

Employment Non-Discrimination:
-Obama: Supports ending employment discrimination against the entire GLBT community.
-McCain: Cast a deciding vote against ENDA.

On “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell”:
-Obama: opposes the discriminatory “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell”
-McCain: believes that GLBT people should not be allowed to serve openly, and supports “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell.” He said, “My view is that in the case of the military, the “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell” policy was appropriate. And I also believe that gays should not be in the military.”

On Relationship Recognition:
-Obama: Supports the repeal of DOMA; voted against the Federal Marriage Amendment (FMA); supports civil unions and domestic partnerships; supports family benefits for same-sex partners of federal employees; opposes allowing civil marriages for same-sex couples
-McCain: Voted for and supports DOMA, which denies all couples protections; voted against the Federal Marriage Amendment (FMA), but campaigned for a state amendment that would have also banned civil unions and domestic partnerships; does not support family benefits for partners of federal employees; opposes allowing civil marriages for same-sex couples

Hate Crimes:
-Obama: Supports inclusive legislation to protect the entire GLBT community against bias-motivated violence
-McCain: Voted against hate crimes legislation three times

HIV/AIDS:
-Obama: Supports Ryan White CARE Act and access for early treatment of HIV under Medicaid (ETHA)
Supports comprehensive sex education aimed at preventing disease
-McCain: Has never co-sponsored Ryan White or ETHA, and voted for a Jesse Helms strategy to remove funding aimed at protecting the community from HIV/AIDS; supports abstinence-only education that leaves out GLBT people and is ineffective in combating the spread of HIV

Adoption:
-Obama: Opposes bans on adoption by same-sex couples
-McCain: Opposes adoption by same-sex couples

Source: HRC

A Letter to the Editor About D.A.D.T.

I received the following letter from one of our readers. It pertains to his personal experience with “Don’t Ask Don’t Tell”:

My name is Robaire Watson and I’m a gay military veteran, who’s been living in the San Francisco Bay Area for 18 years. I spent 6 years in the Navy as an openly gay military man.

Now, I’ve spent the last year sending out over a 1000 emails and mailing at least 200 letters, asking gay organizations, magazines and media to allow me to tell my story. When it comes to Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell, Boy, do I have a story to tell!

I’m starting to notice, since I don’t look like Jake Gyllenhaal, I’m not under 30 years old or have the body of Colton Ford, there is not a lot of interest! I’ve received replies stating “There’s nothing we can do for you”.

I just want people to hear a positive story and not a negative one. This could change the way people view gays in the military.

I was a U.S. Navy Ship’s barber who served aboard the USS Kansas City as it traveled the seas promoting freedom during the Gulf War and Operation Southern Watch–off the coast of Somalia in 1993, traveling to Singapore, Thailand, Hong Kong, Dubai, Jebel Ali, UAE, British Columbia, Mexico, and the Philippines during my two enlistments. I’m black and openly gay and never encountered the slightest discrimination aboard his warship. I grew up in a primarily white and small Texas town of 5000, where I attended school, graduated, and never encountered racism. Apparently everyone knew I was gay, as well, according to my parent’s totally unsurprised and loving reaction when I came out to them.

What was I thinking? I asked myself after joining the Navy knowing that I’m gay. However, I decided, I’m going to be who I am, I’m not going to let them change me; people don’t need to feel threatened by my sexual orientation. Easy to say perhaps, difficult to do.

I designed my own personal freedom by sheer willpower and personality. During the early 1990’s, it also helped that there was the expectation in the military that President Clinton would issue an executive order allowing gay and lesbian patriots to serve openly. It did not happen, but in many commands there had been a preparedness to enable those who did their jobs well to be able to serve without discrimination. I, Petty Officer Watson, and many others benefited from that brief bubble in time when some commands demonstrated that they could make it happen without difficulty. When the Don’t Ask Don’t Tell law was passed, my shipmates told me, “Watson, we don’t have to ask and we don’t have to tell.”

I had a group of gay friends on the USS Kansas City. We were the gay version of “Sex in the City” on board the ship. All my shipmates & ship personnel knew about me and my friends. So, don’t let all those horror stories and murders be the only stories to be told. Please share my story too!

Robaire Watson

Mr. Watson grew up in Crane, Texas, where he states he “never encountered racism.” He adds, “Apparently everyone knew I was gay, as well, according to my parent’s totally unsurprised when I came out to them at age 23.” The only family members he told he was gay was his mother, father and older bother. “The rest of my family knows, but they don’t talk about it.” He adds. “My family is very proud of me and what I’ve done with my life. I’m the middle child of a nominally Southern Baptist Texas family. My grandfather served in the Army in World War I. I was in the Cub Scouts and Boy Scouts, played high school football, and was into cars and music. I always knew I was gay.”

After graduating high school, Robaire earned money for college by working in the oil fields. He studied design and fashion merchandising in Dallas at Wades School of Design. “I wanted to see the world, however, and like many young men I wanted to get a bit further away from home. I joined the US Navy in 1989 and served six years through two enlistments until 1995.” He said.

He still designs garments in his spare time. He’s spent the last year trying to have his story told by the media, but until now, no to know avail. “I’m working on having my story reach a massive amount of gay & military veterans and personnel, without someone else deciding whether or not, if my story is good enough to be told.” States Watson

“I just want to bring a positive story to forefront and not a negative one. This could change the ways people view gays in the military. I feel that someone somewhere is going to understand this. We’re living in uncertain times and people want to hear something that is different and not sad, or a poor me story. It’s about making people feel good and understanding that we will overcome this problem.”

Thank you Mr. Watson for sharing your story. We appreciate your honesty and wish you all the best in your future endeavors!

Pink Sheep of the Family Reports on D.A.D.T.

In this story, a military general explains why America enacted the policy Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell. He explains it’s because America loves its gays so much that we couldn’t risk the life of even one precious gay.

“Under no circumstances can we put America’s homosexuals in danger…It has been the solemn oath of every man in uniform to lay down his life in defense of America’s precious, precious homosexuals.”

Read the rest at pinksheepofthefamily.com.

Don’t Ask Don’t Tell But Do Serve Your Country

Jeff didn’t join the Marines at 20 and then realize he was a homosexual. Key had been out of the “closet” for 20 years, but had an urge so profound to serve his country and, at age 34, he called a recruiter to see what the cut off age was, and was told 28.  His answer was not “bummer,” it was “shit.” The recruiter asked Key’s age and said to come down and he would see what he could do. After a self-written letter asking permission to serve his country, Jeff was accepted. Key went through boot camp as the squads “guide” the whole time, most everyone loses the guide title at some point during boot camp, but not Key. In a squad of young men, young enough to be his sons, he remained their leader…their guide. Much like my “hero” (my grandfather) who finished the police academy training 1st in his class at the age of 55. Marines see second place as unacceptable, just like Key did.

Read the rest at burtsellfamily.wordpress.com.

Next Page »