Florida Agenda

By Cliff Dunn

The Washington Whispers blog at U.S. News & World Report noted pessimistically on December 27 that fully half of the military’

s youngest officers oppose gays serving in the military. The blog reported that, according to a new survey from West Point scholars, conservative male military academy cadets are especially hostile to the year-old repeal of Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell (DADT).

The survey, published in the journal Armed Forces & Society, reports “the findings show being a cadet is associated with stronger agreement for barring homosexuals from military service.”

The data is part of an ongoing study of students who attend U.S. military service academies, as well as those in civilian schools, and individuals who are enrolled as ROTC cadets. The survey uncovered a large disparity among college students’ attitudes toward gays serving in the armed forces: 41% of ROTC students and 53% of those at military academy cadets oppose gays serving, while those students who do not intend to serve in the military generally support repeal of DADT, with only 13% opposing gays in the military.

The study data does not distinguish between gays serving openly or under the restrictions of Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell. Those restrictions have been in place since 1993.

The differences in student opinions reflect wider societal divisions: during the policy debate over the repeal of Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell, the senior commanders in the Joint Chiefs of Staff opposed Obama’s decision, citing concerns about service morale. But the highest ranking Pentagon officials, among them the Secretary of Defense and chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, supported the president’s plan.

Politics and gender also apparently factored into survey responses, with 70% of those described as “male Republican cadets” supporting DADT, and 44% of “female Republican cadets” also in opposition to gays serving in the military. Only 4.5% of those describing themselves as “female Democrat civilians” oppose gay military service.

As U.S. News & World Report noted, the opposition of service academy and ROTC cadets to gays in the military is “significant,” since “the bulk of military officers come from” these institutions. But, the report concluded, “the study authors found that attitudes change over time. For example, male and female cadets interviewed back in 2002 were more opposed than those surveyed in 2007 by a margin of 9%: 59% [in 2002] compared to 50% [in 2007.]”

WASHINGTON, DC – GOP presidential hopeful Texas Governor Rick Perry suggested to ABC News that he would reinstate “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell.” Perry made his statement to ABC’s Christine Amanpour and said he promised to speak to military commanders about the policy if he’ s elected pre

sident.

“I think ‘Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell’ worked very well,” Perry responded, ignoring the thousands of service members dismissed from the military because of their sexual orientation. “I think the President of the United States changing a policy that was working well and to do it while we were at war in two different theaters, I think was irresponsible and I think he truly did it to respond to his political base,” Perry said.

By Christian Alexander

The Elephant in the room is still there, sitting quietly in its corner, just waiting to be brought up. Trouble is, maybe someone will throw it a peanut now and again, but no one really wants to approach it. The Elephant of which I speak is, of course, HIV/AIDS.

The funny thing is that no matter how many of us throw peanuts at the poor thing, it just keeps getting bigger and bigger and still no one seems to notice. How do we miss such an obvious animal? Because we’ve been avoiding it for so very long now and we’ve gotten used to it just sitting there quietly … always quietly as not to disrupt our blissfully ignorant little lives.

As I said in my last installment, AIDS is a four-letter word, but it has become a more acceptable, less gloom-filled four letter word than it once was. Having grown up in the 1980’s, I recall a time before it was even called HIV or AIDS. I remember something called GRID, which for those of you too young to remember or whom have just chosen to forget was an abbreviation for “Gay Related Immune Deficiency.” Between AIDS and GRID, I am forced to go with AIDS, at the very least, it doesn’t single out a specific group of people. Time went on, names changed, Doctor’s were still clueless and the media began to catch wind of this new “Gay Plague” that was spreading like wildfire.

Throughout the 80’s, a few beloved Hollywood as well as musical stars fell victim, rallying the likes of Elizabeth Taylor, Doris Day, and others to the cause. Lest I forget the relevance of young AIDS patient Ryan White, who lost his fight against the disease but who continues to live on through his foundation.

The point here is that although HIV was still a taboo subject not to be brought up in mixed company, it had “Star Power.” Sure, it was still going to kill you and, if you listened to all the religious groups, we deserved what we got. If it weren’t for Hollywood pouring money into the cause and all the brave souls trying to change the disease’s image from a “Gay Man’s” problem to a national crisis, we might still be living in the ignorance of the time. There is still a great deal of that ignorance with us today. Shameful as it is to admit, there is still a part of me that wishes I were oblivious to the fact that, inside my body, in my blood and wherever else it travels, there’s a virus wrecking havoc on whatever is still left of my immune system (which, from what the doctors tell me, isn’t very much).

Fast forward a bit to today. HIV/AIDS has taken a backburner to terrorism and the economy. The drug companies peddle their wares on television for all to see.

By Christian Alexander

Look! The new advertising! It’s so exciting! We’re not dying anymore … NO! We now (and I’m not exactly sure when this happened) have a “manageable illness!” Oh, the joy! They are showing it on television, so it MUST be true.  Forget the miserable (I despise referring to myself this way) “old timers.” There’s a pill just for you! Side effects? What side effects? The last advertisement I saw for one of these meds featured several attractive, well-built men climbing rocks, hang gliding, running marathons and the like.

While I’m sure this is within reach of many of the HIV population and I wish them the best of health from here to come, I have a big a big problem with this. Whereas in the 80’s, AIDS=DEATH, now they are promoting it as no big deal.

Take a pill or two and you’ll be out climbing Everest in no time. As, for “old timers,” who have been surviving with this longer than that cute, 21-year-old twinkie you saw the other day has been alive, it has a much different meaning.

We watch as the cute little twinkie discovers the bars and all they entail. Will he/she/un-decided know the risks they are taking? Will they care? Or, will they just be as oblivious as I once was and wait until it’s too late to get educated. They think no matter what happens, it won’t happen to THEM and even if it does, there’s a magic f… pill to take!

When you were told you were POZ back in the middle ages or further back into the dark ages, you were basically told you had a big expiration date on your forehead.

Well, I may be expired in a lot of ways, but not the one that counts. Nor do I intend to be – at least not until I get my Botox.
Until my next rant, take your vitamins and stay healthy!

ARLINGTON, VA – More than two years after former infantry officer Daniel Choi came out on a television news talk show as a gay service member, an event that led to his discharge, the Iraq war veteran says he will re-enlist in the U.S. Army.

Choi told Political that “Going back to the military will be a vindication. [I’m] going back because I fought to go back. The seriousness of our claims was not just political theater — it was really drawn from our lives.

I sacrificed so much so I could go back.”

Choi became a gay rights icon after the West Point grad told television host Rachel Maddow that he was gay back in March 2009. His resulting military discharge galvanized opposition to DADT which allowed for gay individuals to be removed from service. Choi’s activism led to trouble with the law, and he was later arrested for chaining himself to the White House fence during a protest.

Choi said that he had been unsure about whether he should re-enlist but eventually concluded that it was important to show the seriousness of his actions.

NEW YORK, NY – An airman stationed in Germany who, for the last few months has been posting anonymous videos on YouTube under the screen name “AreYouSuprised?” has revealed his identity to ABC News. For months he has been posting videos telling what it was like serving in the military while living under “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell.” Last week, immediately following the repeal of DADT, he posted another video, showing his face for the first time, of him calling his father in Alabama, and telling his father he was gay.

The airman, Randy Phillips, spoke with ABC News about coming out and his whole family now knows he’s gay.

“ It feels great.

It’s nice not having to look over your shoulder or worry about who you are talking to,” Phillips told ABC News. “I think everybody knows. I never thought I’d be so comfortable with it. It’s very supportive. Everybody’s been absolutely great.”

Phillips father told ABC News that he wasn’t thrilled that his son put the video clip on YouTube but repeated that he loved his son and always will.

By James Michaels

At 12:01 a.m. on Tuesday, September 20, “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell” (DADT) was no longer the law of the land in the United States allowing lesbians and gays to serve openly in the United States military.

Last ditch efforts by the Republican Party to detain the repeal of DADT due to “paper work problems” failed to stop the repeal of the act that the U.S. Congress passed,in a lame duck session last November. It was signed into law by President Obama immediately prior to their December recess.

President Obama issued a statement early Tuesday morning concerning the repeal of DADT:

“Today, the discriminatory law known as ‘Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell’ is finally and formally repealed.

As of today, patriotic Americans in uniform will no longer have to lie about who they are in order to serve the country they love. As of today, our armed forces will no longer lose the extraordinary skills and combat experience of so many gay and lesbian service members. And today, as Commander in Chief, I want those who were discharged under this law to know that your country deeply values your service.

“I was proud to sign the Repeal Act into law last December because I knew that it would enhance our national security, increase our military readiness, and bring us closer to the principles of equality and fairness that define us as Americans. Today’s achievement is a tribute to all the patriots who fought and marched for change; to Members of Congress, from both parties, who voted for repeal; to our civilian and military leaders who ensured a smooth transition; and to the professionalism of our men and women in uniform who showed that they were ready to move forward together, as one team, to meet the missions we ask of them.

“For more than two centuries, we have worked to extend America’s promise to all our citizens.  Our armed forces have been both a mirror and a catalyst of that progress, and our troops, including gays and lesbians, have given their lives to defend the freedoms and liberties that we cherish as Americans.  Today, every American can be proud that we have taken another great step toward keeping our military the finest in the world and toward fulfilling our nation’s founding ideals.”

Immediately following the official repeal, several events happened in the United States:

Navy Lt. Gary Ross married his partner of 11 years, Dan Swezy, in Duxbury, Vermont, at the stroke of midnight just as the military’s ban on gays in the military was officially repealed. Vermont was chosen by the couple because it was in the eastern time zone and the couple would be able to recite their vows in front of family and friends at the first popular moment. The couple traveled to Vermont from their home in Arizona. Vermont was also the first state to allow gays to enter into civil unions and one of six that have legalized same-sex marriage.

For months, a faceless and nameless U.S. Air Force member stationed in Germany had been posting YouTube videos for months explaining what it was like living under DADT. At 2:45 a.m. in Germany, 7:45 CT, he produced a new video and posted it on YouTube, showing his face for the first time as he called his father in Alabama explaining he was gay. After telling his father of his sexuality, his father made it clear that he still loves him. “I called my dad to tell him the hardest thing that gay guys will ever have to say.” The serviceman still has not released his name but he goes by the YouTube identity of “AreYouSuprised?”

At midnight, HBO premiered a documentary, “The Strange History of Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell.” The cable network described the show as a timely and historical look at gays and lesbians in the military that illustrates the tumultuous evolution of the controversial policy that fostered hate and intolerance within the military and undermined the very freedoms American military defend by forcing its soldiers to lie and live in secrecy.

The U.S. Military sent out a letter to all U.S. soldiers throughout the world formally announcing that DADT was over:

“Today marks the end of ‘Don’t Ask Don’t Tell.’ The law is repealed. From this day forward, gay and lesbian soldiers may serve in our Army with the dignity and respect they deserve. Our rules, regulations and politics reflect the repeal guidance issued by the Department of Defense and will apply uniformly without regard to sexual orientation, which is a personal and private matter.

“For over 236 years, the U.S. Army has been an extraordinary force for good in the world. Our soldiers are the most agile, adaptable and capable warriors in history — and we are ready for this change…

“Accordingly, we expect all personnel to follow our values by implementing the repeal fully, fairly and in accordance with policy guidance. It is the duty of all personnel to treat each other with dignity and respect, while maintaining good order and discipline throughout our ranks. Doing so, will help the U.S. Army remain the Strength of the Nation.”

The military also immediately started accepting applications from lesbians and gays. Prior to lifting of DADT, the military spent months updating regulations. Lifting the ban also brought a halt to any and all on-going investigations and discharges that were pending under the old law.

Existing standards of personal conduct, such as those pertaining to public displays of affection, will continue regardless of sexual orientation. There will be no immediate changes to eligibility for military benefits. All service members are already entitled to certain benefits, such as designating a partner as a life insurance beneficiary or as a caregiver.

The Navy had proposed training chaplains to conduct same-sex civil union on bases located in states where same-sex marriage is permitted. After more than five-dozen lawmakers objected, however, the plan was shelved until the Pentagon completes a review of the issue.

By Christian Alexander

“Disclosure.” It is one of the few words in the English language that still disturbs me.  In fact, it’s right up there with racial slurs, ethnic slurs, the all-to-often used four letter words (f…, sh… etc.), and the word “faggot” (I’ve never cared for either being called one from some uneducated straight person, nor do I like when gay men call each other that word). I was brought up to have some semblance of etiquette and some language just won’t do.

My third (and last) “husband,” if you will, and I eventually come to this conversation fairly late in our relationship. We had this old fashioned courtship thing going on, straight out of a good romance novel. From the night we met, there was instant chemistry. It was a fairy tale. (No pun intended. Okay, maybe a little intended.)

After having been on several dates, the night came when he took me back to his place. I was elated and terrified at the same time. Here was this stunning, witty, intelligent, charming, talented man. He was interested in ME! He laughed appropriately at all my jokes, and when his lips were pressed against mine, I’d forget all about my HIV and any thing else that was on my mind.

He gave me the requisite tour, and poured some cocktails. I think I managed one sip of my drink and he got out half a sentence before we were literally ripping each other’s clothes off. He gently took my hand and led me to the bedroom. Knowing what was about to happen, I HAD to tell him. I had to “disclose” my health status.

Now mind you, we are both half naked in his bed, and I was longing to be with him. Before things could go further, I somewhat abruptly ruined the mood by having “the talk.” We did and it was wonderful – at least for a while. Until, that is, he started to pull a way

from me.

He told me that he was falling for me, but he was too afraid. Afraid he’d become attached to me and I would get sick, or worse the possibility that he could catch it as well. We parted as friends, but there was just too much emotion there and I haven’t heard from him in over a decade.

My therapist owes him a pretty sizeable debt of gratitude. I think my issues with this time period paid for his new BMW, but I can’t be sure. But, as ever, I digress.

After having been through all this, I began to wonder when the appropriate time was to tell someone I was interested in (and hopefully was interested in me) that I was carrying HIV. Waiting until you are in the bedroom getting ready to be together is definitely not the route to take.  Dinner never seemed to work well either. “Could you pass the salt, oh and by the way” – I tried that once or twice.

I had what I thought to be a good conversation about it with one man in particular. I still thought that even after he hadn’t returned from the bathroom after a few minutes. Turns out, he just left. But, at least he had the courtesy to pick up the check on his way out while I sat there oblivious.

After I sat there for a good half-hour, angry with my date for having abandoned me, I began to wonder how I would handle that kind of news from someone I had just recently met. Personally, I’ve found it best to just blurt it out when the conversation allows. Better to get it out of the way. If they don’t run for the hills, there are always possibilities. If they stick around, who knows?

The sad thing is, AIDS is a four-letter word. It’s the elephant in the room that no one wants to mention. The community, at least from what I have seen personally, seems to have slipped into a “Don’t ask, Don’t tell” mood.

My advice? For what it’s worth, if you are one of the many people in the community with HIV/AIDS … don’t hide it.  We’ve all come out of the closet once. Just think of this as the spare-room closet. It may have taken me 17 years to realize, but this is NOT something to be ashamed of.  Unfortunately, it is a part of who we are. Granted, it wasn’t a welcome addition. But when you just let it be the unspoken elephant, all you end up with is a lot of peanut shells.

Follow your dreams. Once in a while the universe smiles on you!

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Alex Vaughn

This past Tuesday marked the end of the 18-year-long policy – “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell.” The policy was introduced  as a compromise measure in 1993 by President Bill Clinton who campaigned on the promise to allow all citizens to serve in the military regardless of sexual orientation. Since that time, many have fought for its repeal.

Leading the assault on DADT, as it became known, were groups pushing to end the “undesirable” tag that labeled known homosexuals in the military.

As the change finally becomes official, there seems to be little fanfare. No planned celebrations at the White House. No street parties like those in NYC as a result of the passing of gay marriage laws. Perhaps this is simply because no one really wants to draw light to the fact that it has taken this long to end a law that has caused such distress, and instilled in our culture the word “shame” being associated with military service.

The extent of that shame is further illustrated by the fact that many of the 100,000  “undesirable” former members of the military have come forward to ask that their discharge papers be changed to “honorable.” The Navy has already taken a step in the right direction, reaching out at last to Melvin Dwork, who was expelled from the Navy in 1944, in the middle of World War II, after his own boyfriend in the service reported him. He is now 89.

Last month, the one-time corpsman was notified that the “undesirable” discharge on his military record would finally be changed to “honorable.” Dwork says that because of his “undesirable” discharge, he was unable to draw GI benefits and is now in need of an expensive hearing aid that he might be able to afford if he got the pension he deserved. The Navy has said his benefits will be reinstated retroactively, although it’s not clear whether Dwork will receive back pay for the last 67 years. It would be the right thing to do. But can the US even afford such actions? Probably not.

In a September 12 letter, Rep. Buck McKeon (R-Calif.), chairman of the U.S. House Committee on Armed Services, and Rep. Joe Wilson (R-SC), chairman of the Military Personnel Subcommittee, urged the Department of Defense to delay proceedings because of “unresolved paperwork problems.” They didn’t succeed and they won’t, because this battle has been won, and for Republicans, it is time to retreat.

Any further attempt to overturn the end of DADT will only serve to highlight the movement, and cause light to be shone on something that should go away quietly. Why celebrate an error in U.S. history? Rather, as more and more “undesireables” come forward, their stories and anecdotes will allow the nation and the world to put a personal face on this victory for the many service members who can finally be recognized for their service to this country. These people are the reason to celebrate.

Ultimately, the end of DADT will go down in history. Unlike Stonewall, however, it won’t highlight the fights, protests or shame. If anything, it will highlight the good of the US government system: how one president (Clinton) made steps at reform and how another (Obama) took the baton to the finish line. Is this a very hallmark view? Yes, absolutely. I studied American History! While we may lament the decades it took to implement change, the important thing to note is that, in the end, change happened.

Quietly, yet with determination, the military is changing its policies and retraining its personnel. While this is not something being publicized, it is a task of necessity and is being done as the military executes many of its missions, with dignity and very little fanfare.
Yet, the fight is not over. Equal rights for all is the aim of this game, not just in the military, but across the board – in marriage, the workplace, schools and universities. Discrimination affects everyone, and while it continues to exist, there is no cause for real celebration.

Whilst researching this piece, something else came to mind. I suspect another reason for the quiet acceptance of this historical event is the continuing bigotry within the community. Many people who are gay, lesbian, bisexual or transgender still question whether gays should actually be allowed into the military.

There was an article in the Florida Agenda before I became its editor about perceptions of the community towards stereotypical gay men and women within certain job roles and the reality of whether the community would even accept them – let alone society as a whole. For instance, would you hire an overly effeminate lawyer to defend you in court? Would you hire a masculine woman to groom you? Like it or not, prejudice towards capability is as rife within the community as it is outside of it.

That said, go further and ask yourself whether you have thought what so many others do, and have yet to say? What do I mean? Well, military porn, hot sailors, the gay old Navy. You with me yet? Do you want a man in the military who is concentrating more on the package or emotions of his bunk buddy over his desire to protect his country? Remember the parodies of gays in the military where there is one guy who claims he can’t shoot the enemy, because he is too cute? Granted, that is extreme, but the thought is there.

Could you actually stand up against a movement with that as an excuse? Well, it has been one since WWI!

So perhaps the simple reason that there is no fanfare and no big gay parade is because this law that we all know should not be in place is one that we don’t all feel involved in and would rather just let it pass. Yet don’t forget a quiet victory is still a step in the right direction for the big picture of equality for all.

Alex Vaughn is the Editor-in-Chief of the Florida Agenda. He can be reached at editor@FloridaAgenda.com

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Servicemem-bers Legal Defense Network (SLDN) unveiled a comprehensive new legal guide for LGBT service members, veterans, future recruits and their families, creating a first-of-its-kind overview of laws and policies related to military service in the U.S. following the repeal of “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell” (DADT), as well

as practical information for advocates and friends of LGBT service members. “Freedom to Serve: The Definitive Guide to LGBT Military Service” is downloadable at www.sldn.org.

“The information contained in this legal guide will help service members, prospective service members, their families, and friends make informed decisions about how to serve successfully as we move beyond ‘Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell.’ It will also assist them in understanding how to protect themselves when necessary and how to respond if they are targeted in any way for their actual or perceived sexual orientation or gender identity,” said SLDN Legal Director David McKean.