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Don’t Ask

Civil Rights

Air Force Family’s Sister: ‘Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell’ Has Robbed Us

August 27, 2010 11:57 AM by David Badash
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Leading up to Congressional debate on “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell” earlier this year, SLDN organized “Stories from the Frontlines: Letters to President Barack Obama,” a new media campaign launched to underscore the urgent need for congressional action and presidential leadership at this critical point in the fight to repeal “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell” (DADT.) This [...]

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Civil Rights

Gay Soldier’s Dad: “Makes me sick reading Navy DADT documents on abuse he stomached.”

August 26, 2010 11:32 AM by David Badash
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Leading up to Congressional debate on “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell” earlier this year, SLDN organized “Stories from the Frontlines: Letters to President Barack Obama,” a new media campaign launched to underscore the urgent need for congressional action and presidential leadership at this critical point in the fight to repeal “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell” (DADT.) This [...]

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Civil Rights

Military Same-Sex Spouse’s Glimpse Of Life Under ‘Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell’

August 25, 2010 9:50 AM by David Badash
Thumbnail image for Military Same-Sex Spouse’s Glimpse Of Life Under ‘Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell’

Leading up to Congressional debate on “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell” earlier this year, SLDN organized “Stories from the Frontlines: Letters to President Barack Obama,” a new media campaign launched to underscore the urgent need for congressional action and presidential leadership at this critical point in the fight to repeal “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell” (DADT.) This [...]

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Civil Rights

“Loved ones of gay and lesbian family members are forced to serve in silence, too.”

August 23, 2010 11:00 AM by David Badash
Thumbnail image for “Loved ones of gay and lesbian family members are forced to serve in silence, too.”

Leading up to Congressional debate on “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell” earlier this year, SLDN organized “Stories from the Frontlines: Letters to President Barack Obama,” a new media campaign launched to underscore the urgent need for congressional action and presidential leadership at this critical point in the fight to repeal “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell” (DADT.) This [...]

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Civil Rights

White House Claims It’s “99% Supportive Of Gay Issues.”

August 17, 2010 1:35 PM by David Badash
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In which country? AmericaBlog’s John Aravosis writes “of a White House meeting last week with state-based equality groups.” “Brian Bond, Deputy Director of the White House Office of Public Engagement and liaison to the LGBT community… expressed frustration at the often intense criticism levied, particularly by bloggers, against an administration that is “99 percent supportive [...]

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Civil Rights

WaPo Readers: 67% Say “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell” Survey “Out Of Line”

July 13, 2010 2:24 PM by David Badash
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An unscientific Washington Post poll currently shows 67% of respondents checked “yes” to the question, “Is the ‘don’t ask, don’t tell’ survey out of line?” Of course, you’re welcome to weigh in with your own opinion, but in a related Washington Post article, “U.S. military says questions about gays would help if ‘don’t ask’ were [...]

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Civil Rights

Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell Why One Year Ago Today Seaman August Provost Was Murdered

June 30, 2010 10:25 AM by David Badash
Thumbnail image for Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell Why One Year Ago Today Seaman August Provost Was Murdered

You’ll remember that one year ago today, U.S. Navy Seaman August Provost, a black, gay sailor, was found murdered, his body shot three times, gagged, bound, and burned. While there were clear signs this was a hate crime, the U.S. Navy refused to label is as such. Even the Congressional Black Caucus demanded a full [...]

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Civil Rights

Watch & Listen: Obama Speaks To LGBTQ Audience At White House Pride Reception

June 22, 2010 7:33 PM by David Badash
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Updated — now with video! Early this evening, just after 6:00 PM, President Barack Obama spoke to a crowded group of LGBTQ activists, journalists, and other invited guests at the White House’s annual Pride Reception. Below is the audio and video from the event. Obama toted out openly-gay Director of Office of Personnel Management, John [...]

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Civil Rights

Dear Mr. President, To a parent, whose son is bleeding on the battlefield, one lesbian nurse can make a difference.

May 27, 2010 9:13 PM by David Badash
Thumbnail image for Dear Mr. President, To a parent, whose son is bleeding on the battlefield, one lesbian nurse can make a difference.

I served my country for over thirty years. I enlisted in the army as a private and retired as a Major General. During that time, I saw a great deal of change in the Armed Forces. Racial segregation was ended in the ranks, women were recognized as equals and we moved to an all volunteer force.

My father was a laborer, my mother a domestic worker. I knew that there was no way I was headed for college. As a young Black Man I enlisted in the army long before President Truman desegregated the armed forces.

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Civil Rights

Salvation Or Sham? “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell” Repeal Compromise

May 26, 2010 4:02 PM by David Badash
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The compromise that created “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell” in 1993 has led, seventeen years later, to a compromise promising its repeal. But the LGBT community right now is in turmoil, unsure if it can trust the powers who have effectively oppressed and dominated us to keep their promises to free us. Monday night, a compromise [...]

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Civil Rights

Dear Mr. President, My Sergeant told me he suspected I was a “faggot” and that we should see what the rest of the guys thought about it.

May 26, 2010 1:26 PM by David Badash
Thumbnail image for Dear Mr. President, My Sergeant told me he suspected I was a “faggot” and that we should see what the rest of the guys thought about it.

This behavior, beyond being tolerated, was often sponsored and enjoyed by my superiors. “Gunny” usually joined in, bragging about cheating on his wife. This environment was repulsive and contradictory to the core values of the Marine Corps: honor, courage, commitment — values I tried to live by. I was miserable, but felt powerless to do anything about it.

I still went out drinking with the guys, but tried to avoid going to strip bars or swapping stories about sexual experiences. But then Gunny became suspicious. He told me he suspected I was a “faggot” and that we should see what the rest of the guys thought about it. [...]

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Discrimination

Dear Mr. President, My Captain wrote that my “sexual orientation has not disrupted good order and discipline onboard USS SHILOH.”

May 24, 2010 2:24 PM by David Badash
Thumbnail image for Dear Mr. President, My Captain wrote that my “sexual orientation has not disrupted good order and discipline onboard USS SHILOH.”

On September 11, 2001 – our ship was immediately ordered to sea. We fully expected that we were going to war. We ended up being assigned to protect the west coast from any potential attack.

During these emergencies, I was an open lesbian serving my country.

In a state of alert, no one cared a bit about my sexual orientation, even though they knew about it. The sailors who worked for me looked to me for leadership, and the officers I worked for looked to me for performance. [...]

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Discrimination

Dear Mr. President, This past January with you as my Commander-in-Chief, the opportunity to prove my merit as an Army Officer was taken away simply because I’m a lesbian.

May 20, 2010 1:12 PM by David Badash
Thumbnail image for Dear Mr. President, This past January with you as my Commander-in-Chief, the opportunity to prove my merit as an Army Officer was taken away simply because I’m a lesbian.

Dear Mr. President,

My parents should have pinned on my rank of Second Lieutenant. I was prepared to take the oath. To swear that I’d support and defend our constitution. But instead, I am writing a letter to you. There was no pinning. There was only the sudden reality that “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell” still very much exists and is still very much enforced.

I wish that I could tell you stories about my distinguished military career, deployments, and awards. I cannot share such stories. This past January with you as my Commander-in-Chief, the opportunity to prove my merit as an Army Officer was taken away simply because I’m a lesbian.

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