SPOTLIGHT
asking a servicemember to blur truth is asking them to lie. For example, changing “him” to “her” or vice versa in refer- ence to ones relationships to disguise the reality of one’s sexual preference, is a deception. DADT was repugnant to American values—truth, justice and equality. On Tuesday, September 20, the implementation of the repeal will permit servicemembers to be truthful about their orientations without risking their careers. So after Tuesday, September 20, conditions will allow honest and open service. Isn’t that enough? NO! An executive order prohibiting discrimination and
harassment based on sexual orientation needs to be issued by the President, our Commander in Chief, so we don’t just turn the calendar back to 1992. His order should provide LGB troops with the same recourse outside their chain of command, as others are allowed if they are experiencing harassment or discrimination. Being able to do your job without fear of being fired for your orientation is a start and welcome change from past witch hunts, but it doesn’t pro- vide full equal treatment. Compared to their counterparts, LGB servicemembers still don’t have benefit parity or equal status on a par with others of equal rank and station. We still need military health care for LGB dependents and spouses, access to commissary and exchange services, assistance during deployment, etc. Equal treatment is still an unreal- ized goal. What about the Defense of Marriage Act (DOMA). Doesn’t it prohibit parity? DOMA is definitely an impediment but not a show-stop-
per, especially regarding servicemembers whose marriages are recognized at the state level. The current administration expanded benefits for same-sex couples elsewhere in the federal government, now the White House has to push hard to do that in the Department of Defense (DOD). How will repeal of DADT impact DOMA? Repeal of DADT is a wedge issue. Many believe they’ve
never met a gay person and have uninformed negative ste- reotyped images of them. As more citizens encounter open LGB servicemembers, fears born of myth will give way to the reality that we’re fellow Americans struggling with the same issues and challenges to achieve common goals. We seek the same sense of community, opportunity, security and hope for ourselves and loved ones as anyone. Once focus is on our common interests, any perceived threat and falsely preconceived notions can be dispelled. Among the na- tion’s most respected citizens are LGB civilians and military personnel. Allowing them to serve their country and com- munities honestly will expose the destructive, irrational generating myths that DADT and DOMA falsely perpetuate. Members of the armed forces are one of the most re-
spected groups in the nation. When civilians expand their interaction with openly serving members, public opinion
will be swayed in the direction of equal and fair treatment. Colonel, you sound cautiously optimistic. Yes, but not delusional—progress is not permanent—
like liberty itself, equality is not given to everyone. Rights must be won and then defended. Laws changed that make progress, can be changed back again. The repeal of “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell” is another chapter in the book of equality. It is progress beyond the “don’t even think about it” chapter that existed prior to 1993. And, we still need to address the “T” part of the LGBT community. And the passages ensuring non-discrimination, benefit parity and marriage equality at the Federal level have yet to be written—it remains an unfinished story. There is reason for cautious and patient optimism.
American democracy is a self-righting process encour- aged by reason and impeded by emotion to form the more perfect union our forefathers intended! As Colonel Bornhoft notes, a sameness of purpose and
desire for happiness, security, love, community and well being unite us as a nation. Conversely, differences real and perceived, divide in fear and ignorance the sense of equality and pursuit of happiness our founding fathers’ envisioned as every citizen’s right. Woven into the fabric of a perpetual evolutionary cloth, our maturing democ- racy has evolved to set aside notions of rights being based on gender, race, religion, philosophy, ideology, age, sta- tion and now, sexual orientation. These United States of America do indeed evolve to form the more perfect union at the pace of a snail on a slippery slope. Quoting information provided by Marine Headquar-
ters, “The Pentagon is expected to spend the next 60 days preparing the troops for the change, and ironing out legal and technical details, including how it will affect housing, military transfers and other health and social benefits. In most cases, the guidelines require that gays and lesbians be treated like any other member of the military. There will be differences, however. Same sex partners will not get the same housing and other benefits as married couples. Instead, they are more likely to be treated like unmarried couples. One of the thornier issues is gay mar- riage. An initial move by the Navy earlier this year to train chaplains about same-sex civil unions in states where they are legal was shelved after more than five dozen Congress members objected. The training, lawmakers told Navy Secretary Ray Ma-
bus, violated the 1996 Defense of Marriage Act ( DOMA) by appearing to recognize and support same-sex mar- riages.”
For additional resources and more information about the organizations mentioned, go to
ragemonthly.com Send comments to Bill Kelly at
bkelly@ragemonthly.com
“DADT was repugnant to American values—truth, justice and equality. On Tuesday, September 20, the implementa- tion of repeal will permit servicemembers to be truthful about their orientations without risking their careers.
54 RAGE monthly | SEPTEMBER 2011
DADT REPEAL DAY EVENTS:
COUNTDOWN TO REPEAL
PARTY AT BOURBON STREET: “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell” becomes history
at 12:01 a.m. on Tuesday, September 20, lifting the legal restrictions and allowing gay, lesbian and bisexual to serve openly in the military. Don’t miss the chance to mark this historic milestone and join servicemembers, veterans and their supporters for the Countdown To Repeal Party. A New Year’s Eve-style countdown celebration begins at Bourbon Street, 4612 Park Boulevard, on Monday, Sep- tember 19, at 9 p.m.
REPEAL OF DADT CELEBRATION ‘KICK-OFF’
MOTORCYCLE RIDE: The San Diego Cruisers Motorcycle
Club shows its support for the repeal of DADT by riding down University Avenue, ending at the San Diego LGBT Center for the Freedom To Serve Celebration. Com- munity motorcyclists are encouraged to join in the ride. San Diego Cruisers Motorcycle Club will stage the ride in the parking lot of the church on the corner of Front Street and University Avenue on Tuesday, September 20, at 5 p.m. sharp. Riders will rev up and take off no later than 5:30 p.m. For more information, contact Jae L. Hansen at 619-208-6065 Jae L. Hansen or signup for Repeal of DADT Celebration “Kick-off” Motorcycle Ride on
sldn.org.
FREEDOM TO SERVE: “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell officially expires
on Tuesday, September 20, and LGB Ser- vicemembers will no longer be subject to discharge from the military on the basis of their sexual orientation. Join in this historic occasion with servicemembers and their long overdue Freedom to Serve at The San Diego LGBT Community Center on Tuesday, September 20, at 6 p.m. The event is set to feature remarks from retired Col. Stuart Bornhoft and Michael Magee with Servicemembers Legal Defense Network, as well as service- members and political representatives. For more information, contact Denise Serrano at
dserrano@thecentersd.org or 619.692.2077 ext., 103.
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