Florida Agenda

By MATT COMER

It was as normal a workday as any other – a little cold outside, yes, but full with all the usual expectations and daily to-dos. So, imagine my surprise when I opened my inbox and saw an email from the White House – an invitation to attend President Barack Obama’s “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell” repeal signing ceremony on Dec. 22.

I immediately called my mother. After all, she’s had to listen to my political rants and raves since I was young. My childhood stint in the Boy Scouts only m ade it worse, instilling

a strong sense of patriotism. Years later, I still choke back tears when I hear the national anthem played or watch Independence Day fireworks shows. On top of it all, I’m a history geek. I love it and live it. I studied it in college and the History Channel has kept some of my favorite TV programming streaming into my home for years.

Luckily, I was able to find some last-minute deals on flights to and from D.C. I left the office, packed my bags and made it to the Charlotte airport just in time. The excitement of this historic moment in time was nearly too much to bear once I finally got to Washington and met up with a friend who was nice enough to bum me his couch for the evening. We stayed up half the night waiting on another friend to arrive, and when we finally settled down to sleep – at a dangerously late 2:30 a.m. – I knew I’d have only anticipation and adrenaline to keep me awake the next day.

We awoke from our short nap at 6 a.m., hurriedly showered and dressed and made our way to the Department of Interior where the ceremony was to take place. Once we arrived, we balked: the line to get into the ceremony wrapped around the building. Though it was cold, we and everyone else gathered were all smiles.

Inside the auditorium, I noticed a veritable who’s who of the LGBT movement, Congress and federal government. Former servicemembers, who’ve been forced to carry the burden of this unjust law for far too long, were gathered everywhere. Some were dressed in their uniforms, ready to serve their country again: “Sign us up today!” one would later call out as the president signed the bill into law.

As the ceremony began, with a prayer, the Pledge of Allegiance and national anthem, I could feel the tears welling up inside. Oh, happy tears they were! Though I’ve never served in the armed forces, it was once a dream of mine. Military service in my family stretches back generations, all the way back to the Revolutionary War. My grandfather and his brother, former Marines, both served during the tail-end of World War II and in Korea. And, when I signed up for JROTC as a freshman in high school, only one thing stood in the way of my service: “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell.” It didn’t take me long to learn I’d never have the opportunity to serve my nation. After just one year in JROTC, I dropped it and my dreams for service.

Years later, I’d be among dozens of LGBT young people across the country who would attempt to enlist in the armed forces, though doing so openly, honestly and with integrity. The action, Soulforce’s 2006 Right to Serve Campaign, returned the same results in each of the 30 cities where young, able-bodied and patriotic American citizens said, “Sign me up! I will serve!” – we were all turned away. I thought of that moment – the disappointment and sadness and oppression – as President Obama spoke on Dec. 22. This is a speech to remember, I thought to myself as he began.

As the president finished I nearly lost myself: “For we are not a nation that says, ‘don’t ask, don’t tell.’ We are a nation that says, ‘Out of many, we are one,’” the president said. “We are a nation that welcomes the service of every patriot. We are a nation that believes that all men and women are created equal. Those are the ideals that generations have fought for. Those are the ideals that we uphold today. And now, it is my honor to sign this bill into law.”

The opportunity to attend the signing ceremony was a unique one, for sure an historic moment to be treasured and cherished for the rest of my life. Years from now, I can see myself watching the History Channel as a special on civil rights in America comes on and a portion of Obama’s speech at the signing ceremony is broadcast.

“I was there,” I’ll say to myself. Undoubtedly, I’ll cry. But these tears, I’ll gladly take now and in the future. What a great moment in history we’re in – when some of the final legal hurdles and obstacles blocking the full citizenship and participation of LGBT Americans are being lifted. We should all shed a tear in this moment and keep it in memory of all the heroes – men and women, black and white, slave and free, gay and straight – who, to borrow from Bates, more than self their country loved and mercy more than life; those who lived and died for that most glorious of patriot dreams and gave to their nation their ultimate sacrifice to see that days like this are even possible.

Matt Comer is a journalist, blogger and LGBT activist living in Charlotte, N.C., where he works as editor of QNotes, the LGBT newspaper of North Carolina

By BRYAN MOORE

Lt.

Dan Choi, one of the nation’s most vocal gay ex-Army soldiers, tells dot429 about his reaction to the repeal of DADT (Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell), the new age of gay activism, his recent hospitalization and his future.

Choi’s face and name have become nearly synonymous with the fight against DADT. Choi emphasizes that the repeal of DADT is not simply a triumph for the LGBT community, but for civil rights. He says, “there are few people who get to put in all this effort and see the benefit from the rewards of their labor. We know that it’s a civil rights historic event, not only for gay civil rights, but for overall civil rights. Our work is not just for us, but as we take down the wall of our oppression, it really lowers the walls of other people’s as well.”

While Choi admits that he will not be invited to the White House bill signing and has never been asked by SLDN (Servicemembers Legal Defense Network) to speak at a press conference, he explains, “I prefer not to be there at this point. It is not out of bitterness; it is really out of my soldier’s instinct. To seek recognition and fame is counter to the ideals of service.”

There are many opinions surrounding Dan Choi’s role in the repeal of DADT. As a grassroots advocate, Choi believes his role is integral to the cause. “My role has changed a lot and it has confused a lot of people… my activism has turned into something of being a lightning rod for the attention to DADT nationally and internationally. I saw myself and my role as a media whore.” That is not far from what Choi aspires his legacy to be, telling dot429, “I would like to be seen as somebody who made enough trouble and agitated enough that people could not ignore the situation anymore. That would be the feather in my cap.”

Despite being a central public figure in gay activism, Choi, who came out of the closet two years ago, suffers from the same issues that plague many people when they come out. “I’m not fully part of the gay community. I am very new to the gay community. As a military person, it was very difficult for me to embrace the diversity of our entire movement, but I quickly had to because they were embracing me. At the same time, I am not fully there as far as feeling as if I am a solid part of the community. I feel like I am a solid part of the movement, but not the community.”

Last Friday morning, Choi was admitted to the hospital and diagnosed with Combat PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder). He explains, “I was suicidal and I finally dealt with it. I finally said that it got to be too much.” According to Choi his suicidal thoughts are a composite of coming out to his family and the world, not having people he can trust, and not seeking therapy when he returned from a tour of duty in Iraq. “I am medicated,” Choi says, “I am on a medication to help me sleep and to deal with my anxiety attacks.” He further explains, ” I have a recurring nightmare of Iraqi men with no hands and no heads asking me to help them out.”

“I found a truth throughout this year that I might not have seen when I first started: action and sacrifice speaks much more loudly than the best crafted, eloquent speech.” With that said, Choi offhandedly mentions, “the Libertarian party has asked me to run for Senate, because I am old enough in 2012.” While Choi will not confirm whether he will run, he reiterates his dedication to equal rights, stating, “success for me would be to deeply fall in love again, have a family, and really become something of a professor without portfolio for equal rights.”

video: courtesy of Associated Press

A Letter from President Barack Obama – Commander and Chief.

Moments ago, the Senate voted to end “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell.”

When that bill reaches my desk, I will sign it, and this discriminatory law will be repealed.

Gay and lesbian service members — brave Americans who enable our freedoms — will no longer have to hide who they are.

The fight for civil rights, a struggle that continues, will no longer include this one.

This victory belongs to you. Without your commitment, the promise I made as a candidate would have remained just that.

Instead, you helped prove again that no one should underestimate this movement. Every phone call to a senator on the fence, every letter to the editor in a local paper, and every message in a congressional inbox makes it clear to those who would stand in the way of justice: We will not quit.

This victory also belongs to Senator Harry Reid, Speaker Nancy Pelosi, and our many allies in Congress who refused to let politics get in the way of what was right.

Like you, they never gave up, and I want them to know how grateful we are for that commitment.

Will you join me in thanking them by adding your name to Organizing for America’s letter?

I will make sure these messages are delivered — you can also add a comment about what the repeal of “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell” means to you.

As Commander in Chief, I fought to repeal “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell” because it weakens our national security and military readiness. It violates the fundamental American principles of equality and fairness.

But this victory is also personal.

I will never know what it feels like to be discriminated against because of my sexual orientation.

But I know my story would not be possible without the sacrifice and struggle of those who came before me — many I will never meet, and can never thank.

I know this repeal is a crucial step for civil rights, and that it strengthens our military and national security. I know it is the right thing to do.

But the rightness of our cause does not guarantee success, and today, celebration of this historic step forward is tempered by the defeat of another — the DREAM Act. I am incredibly disappointed that a minority of senators refused to move forward on this important, commonsense reform that most Americans understand is the right thing for our country. On this issue, our work must continue.

Today, I’m proud that we took these fights on.

Please join me in thanking those in Congress who helped make “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell” repeal possible:

http://my.barackobama.com/Repealed

Thank you,

Barack

WASHINGTON D.C. – After years of campaigning by President Barack Obama, months of testimony and public opinion by the highest ranking members in the Armed Services and thousands of pleas from service members, the road to repealing Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell, the policy that allows gays and lesbians to be fired from the military for being homosexual, has hit a roadblock.

Needing 60 votes, the United States Senate fell three votes short of moving to stop debate on the Defense Authorization Bill, which includes the DADT repeal.

“Despite having the bipartisan support of a clear majority of senators, a minority of senators are standing in the way of the funding upon which our troops, veterans and military families depend,” Obama said in a statement. “This annual bill has been enacted each of the past 48 years, and our armed forces deserve nothing less this year.”

The bill is cosponsored by Sens. Joseph I. Lieberman (I-Conn.) and Susan Collins (R-Maine).

Gay rights groups are livid, and some even protested in front of the Senate chambers shortly after the defeated vote.

“History will hold these senators accountable and so will many of their constituents,” said Aubrey Sarvis, executive director of Servicemembers Legal Defense Network, a group pushing for repeal of the law. “There will be no place for these Senators to hide. The Senate and the president must remain in session and in Washington to find another path for repeal to get done in the lame-duck.”

Joe Manchin of West Virginia was one of the Senators who voted against cloture, which would have brought the bill to a full Senate vote. Manchin stated that he did not support cloture because he had not yet consulted constituents on the issue, but said that the policy “probably should be repealed in the near future.”

According to reports, however, Lieberman sent out a tweet saying he and Collins are immediately introducing a freestanding bill to repeal Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell and that Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid (D-Nev.) has agreed to bring it to the floor in the lame-duck session.

Nearly 13,400 service members have lost their job since 1994 because they were outed for being gay or lesbian.

Click On Image to View Fullscale.

All I want for  Christmas….

WASHINGTON D.C. – Thanks to a change in rules on Oct. 21 by United States Defense Secretary Robert Gates, no U.S. military members have lost their jobs under the ‘Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell’ policy. Gates said that all service members who were ‘outed’ would have to be dismissed only by the four service secretaries.

Since that rule change, none of the secretaries have dismissed anyone for DADT from the Navy, Marines, Army or Air Force.

A study commissioned by President Barack Obama showed that repealing DADT would have no effect on the readiness of the Armed Services.

DENVER, CO

On November 1, a Federal Appeals Court indefinitely extended its freeze on a judge’s order halting enforcement of the military’s “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell” policy. The three-judge panel of the 9th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals granted the U.S. government’s request for a stay while it challenges the trials court’s ruling that the ban on openly gay service members is unconstitutional

By DMITRY RASHNITSOV

On October 12, gay and lesbian military personnel serving in the United States Armed Services all over the world were finally able to breath a sigh of relief that they wouldn’t lose their job if they were outed. However, the past week and a half has been more stressful in the fight to repeal, ‘Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell’ than the previous 17 years of the policies existence.

The Log Cabin Republicans, a group that works within the Republican Party to advocate equal rights for all Americans filed suit in federal district court against “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell” in 2004. The case went to trial in Riverside, California in July of 2010, and Judge Virginia Phillips ruled on September 9, 2010 that the policy violated the First and Fifth Amendments of the Constitution. On October 12, Judge Phillips granted a world-wide injunction against enforcement of “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell.”

“After finding in Log Cabin Republicans v. United States that ‘Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell’ violates service members’ First and Fifth Amendment rights, a world-wide injunction was the only reasonable solution,” said Christian Berle, Deputy Executive Director of Log Cabin Republicans. “These soldiers, sailors, airmen, marines and coast guardsmen sacrifice so much in defense of our nation and our Constitution. It is imperative that their constitutional freedoms be protected as well. This decision is also a victory for all who support a strong national defense. No longer will our military be compelled to discharge service members with valuable skills and experience because of an archaic policy mandating irrational discrimination. The United States is stronger because of this injunction, and the Log Cabin Republicans is proud to have brought the case that made it possible.”

President Barack Obama had long campaigned for the repeal of ‘Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell’ and continues to say that he wants the law overturned by congress, but his administration has decided to appeal Judge Phillip’s injunction to a higher court.

“First of all, I haven’t ‘mentioned’ that I’m against ‘Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell’ I have said very clearly, including in a State of the Union address, that I’m against ‘Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell’ and that we’re going to end this policy. That’s point number one,” President Obama stated during the MTV-BET “Youth Town Hall” meeting October 14 at BET Networks studio in Washington, D.C. “Point number two, the difference between my position right now and Harry Truman’s was that Congress explicitly passed a law that took away the power of the executive branch to end this policy unilaterally. So this is not a situation in which, with a stroke of a pen, I can simply end the policy.”

While President Obama’s pen seems to have run out of ink, lawyers at the Justice department have had time to type up responses to Judge Phillips and continue to fight her decision. They plan on taking the case to the U.S. Court of Appeals for the 9th Circuit in San Francisco and, ultimately, the U.S. Supreme Court.

“The farther the decision gets from the presentation of evidence in the trial court, the more likely it is that courts will assume the military must have some critically important interest at stake,” said Diane Mazur, a law professor who opposes the policy.

Nearly 14,000 troops have been fired since the policy’s enactment. The Pentagon has come out and stated that they will have difficulty with complying with the DADT injunction. “Requiring the Department to cease all enforcement of DADT, immediately and worldwide, will cause significant disruptions to the force in the short term,” a statement from the Pentagon said. The Pentagon also suggested that it has not provided the troops with any training to prepare for the suspension of the ban.

Since the Judge’s ruling there have been no incidents filed relating to Unit cohesion problems, disciplinary problems, resignations, or privacy problems relating to openly-gay troops. A recent survey of armed services personal said that 2/3 of them believed that someone in their unit is gay, so training troops is probably more of an excuse than an actual problem that the army will realistically have to deal with.

For those banking on DADT being repealed during the lame-duck Congress session after the elections where the Democrats are expected to have their last chance at a majority Sen. John McCain (R-Ariz) has already come out and publicly stated that he will filibuster any attempt to repeal DADT.

“I will filibuster or stop it from being brought up until we have a thorough and complete study of the effect on morale and battle effectiveness,” McCain said.

The former presidential candidate said in 2006 that he would support a repeal of DADT. Is it old age or his maverick ways that have caused McCain to forget what he once stood for?

While congressmen, the president, judges, attorneys and civil rights groups continue the DADT fight in a courtroom and through paperwork, real closeted gay and lesbian troops all over the world must sit and wait to see what the outcome of all of this legal wrangling will be, while living in fear that someone with a vendetta against them may out them for no reason and cause a good person to needlessly lose their job.

By (Former YN3) Stephen R. Lang

When the issue of repealing the Don’t Ask Don’t Tell United States military policy was discussed in our office it brought up a lot of ghosts from my past.  I had served honorably for 87.5% of my time and when they say in Boot Camp that 1 in 4 will make it to their discharge date–I would have guaranteed I would be the one.  I grew up to respect authority, love America, and come from generations of proud military personnel.  After a much consideration I joined the US Navy after a short failed stint with college and from Day 1 I wanted to go back.  On Day 2 of boot camp we joined for America.

While in the Recruiter’s office finalizing Signing Up he asked me point blank, “Are you gay?  Do you like sucking (penis)?” In January of 1993 they could ask you outright and only later President Clinton modified it.  I remember arriving at Boot Camp and falling for my Company Commander.  I not only idolized him as a man, a leader, and an experienced seaman but that is when I realized that my life was in jeopardy.  What I mean is that you are conditioned to believe and act as they want you to and basically be like them.  It is important especially for naval survival to think and act like a unified team and without it you could be flopping around in the ocean while the ship sails away.

My ship (the former) USS SUPPLY AOE 6 was the first in a class of ships and had a lot of problems with design and had many delays and setbacks.  Within my term onboard, I knew well over 2,000 people personally. You grow to know and appreciate each crew member because you might actually depend on them for survival.  When you are out to sea, there is no fire department or ambulance to call.  Commodore is a natural progression but when confined to something like a boat out to sea, it is intensified.

I officially realized I was gay in August of 1994 and it was during the height of Anne Rice’s Vampire novels and totally identified with the spiritually wounded and existentialist Louis.  This feeling of loneliness only intensified when faced with the fact that your job and your life as you know it would be over if they found out.  In the midst of coming to terms with everything my friend was discharged.  As he was walking down the pier for the last time I discovered a couple of friends who took me under their wings and made me realize I am ok, I am not alone, this is not horrible, and no matter what they had my back.  Seniority (within the lower ranks) was loosely based on Time Spent at the command and by this time there were less than 100 Plank Owners onboard.  We were special and I was sparkly.

I officially came out to a Sicilian Neanderthal worker of mine while we were scrubbing the wax off our office floor (only to put a new coat down.)  He was going off on a tirade about gays and lesbians and how they do not deserve to live and have rights and I ended up screaming “You don’t know what we go through!” He fell over cut his head and had to get three stitches.  It’s kind of funny to think that there is someone out there with a scar from me coming out to them.

My friends and I were actually called The Three Queens of The Supply and were The Fab Three a decade before Queer Eye. As we traveled all over the Caribbean in 1996 everyone knew, including the Captain.  Things came to a screeching halt when my Captain, Executive Officer, Administrative, and Legal Officers all left within four months and were replaced with very odd Right Wingers.  My direct boss was a Minister and even he thought they were strange.

What eventually led me to leaving was when the Legal Officer strategically pulled my workers aside and asked them that if they had any problems with me, my personal life affecting them, or had issues against me (wink-wink) I would be off the ship in 24 hours.  I had witnessed the aftermath of my best friend getting stomped in the face in his (bed), an attempted suicide in the (bathroom) at 3 AM, but also the sad stoic faces of the Old Dogs at The Garage in Norfolk who thought they had too much to lose to ever Came Out (at work).  The Navy was your life and these were the signs I saw.  Four of my five direct bosses left and I didn’t want to live under a microscope so I voluntarily left.

Not every command is perfect but I honestly feel that it will be at least 10 years before gays and lesbians can comfortably serve in the military.  This is a big move for the future but please do not think this will be an overnight acceptance by any means.  I also do not want gay people to be outted either.  Onboard ships 1/3 of the crew are allowed to constantly wear knives as part of their uniform and ¼ carry around a long steel nail called a marlinespike.  I have overheard the God awful and gut wrenching intentional conversations, told outright I should die, been physical abused, and socially ostracized.

When a Plank Owner officially leaves the Navy or changes duty stations, they are announced over the loud speaker and a bell is rung in their honor.  When I left, having earned The National Defense Medal, Navy “E” Ribbon, Good Conduct Medal, and a Navy Achievement Medal as well as countless other commendations the new Captain denied me that honor.  When that one thing you struggled and longed for is taken away pettily–it feels worse than being punched in the face.  I want to finish by saying that I never stopped loving America or realizing how important the military’s role is in bringing and maintaining freedom.  A certain few individuals never once spoiled my views against The Navy or my military experience.  Actually, up to about five years ago, had I been given a Second Chance and allowed back, I would have gone.

A clip from the Rachel Maddow Show exposing Rep Ike Skelton’s concern with repealing Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell because it may cause a national discussion on homosexuality.   “What do mommies and daddies say to their 7 year old children?”