"Mission: Incomplete" Rally - Washington D.C. Friday Dec 10th

A coalition of 18 groups advocating for repeal of the Don't Ask Don't Tell Policy will converge upon the U.S. Senate this Friday. They are demanding lawmakers stay in session until they reach compromise on the Defense Authorization Bill which includes repeal of DADT.

Join the Servicemembers Legal Defense Network at the Senate THIS Friday, December 10th, at noon, for the "Mission: Incomplete" Rally.

WHEN:
Friday, December 10th
12 p.m.

WHERE:
Constitution Ave. & Delaware Ave. at Upper Senate Park
(Near U.S. Capitol)
Washington, DC

Closest Metro: Union Station (Red Line). Nearby: Capitol South (Blue/Orange), Judiciary Square (Red).

Demand Post-Thanksgiving DADT Repeal

The Senate has promised to review legislation to repeal the Don't Ask Don't Tell Policy which bars lesbian, gay and bisexual servicemembers from the armed forces. Insiders suggest that there are enough votes (including a few moderate republicans) to overcome a filibuster. We must take this issue up now since progressive voices have been losing seats this may be the last chance for full repeal within the legislature for years to come.



Take action via HRC and call your senators now!

Taxpayers Demand $4.4 Million Refund Over Anti-Gay Military Survey

Servicemembers United an advocacy organization dedicated to repealing the anti-gay military policy known as Don't Ask Don't Tell is furious over a new and biased survey about the policy.

The Department of Defense just paid the research firm Westat the outrageous sum of $4.4 million to design and administer an email-based survey about the repeal of the “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell” law. While its development was shrouded in secrecy for weeks, leaked copies of the final version recently began circulating. To everyone’s surprise, the survey, which went out to 400,000 service members, turned out to be laced with bias, inaccuracies, and derogatory assumptions and insinuations about gay and lesbian Americans. Demand that Westat and the Pentagon repay the American Taxpayer for this outrageous waste of $4.4 million!

Sign the petition to demand a full refund and an end to the discriminatory policy of Don't Ask Don't Tell.

Arizona Mayor Doesn't Want “Lacy-Drawered, Limp-Wristed” Gays in Military

Yuma Arizona's Mayor Al Krieger made offensive remarks at a Memorial Day event suggesting gay people are effeminate and weak and asserted that gay servicemembers can never do what tough veterans have done in the past.

The Mayor voiced his opposition to repealing the Don't Ask Don't Tell policy by saying:

“I cannot believe a bunch of lacey-drawered, limp-wristed people could do what those men have done in the past.”

“We need solid, strong men to fight those battles. Not pacifists.”

He even went on to compare his stand with that of George Washington and Abraham Lincoln, saying that he was principled and speaking from the heart.



The Mayor can be reached for comment at Alan.Krieger@YumaAz.gov

Take Action: DADT Repeal Bill to be Voted on Today!

The President has signed onto a deal to move full steam ahead with a repeal of the military's 'Don't Ask Don't Tell' policy. The deal likely will allow for the bill to be voted on today in the House & Senate Armed Services Committee. The majority of the American populace supports repeal and insiders say they have the necessary votes. While there are ups and downs to the proposed bill it is nonetheless a historic piece of legislation that must be approved.

Take action with HRC to demand your representatives vote in favor of repealing this anti-gay policy.

Email congress and tweet your lawmakers.

Also be sure to call congress at (202) 224-3121.

Rep Roskam: Talk of Repealing DADT "Manipulating & Dishonoring" of Troops

During an appearance on WLS Radio's Don Wade & Roma this morning, Illinois GOP Rep. Peter Roskam of the 6th district knocked efforts to repeal the military's anti-gay 'Don't Ask Don't Tell' policy which bars openly gay, lesbian, and bisexual people from serving in the military. The congressman suggested that the mere conversation about possible repeal of the policy is "manipulating and doesn't honor" the troops.

ROSKAM: We've got to focus on jobs and the economy. What the American public is very reluctant about, and I think deeply resents, is the idea of using our national military for politics -- moving a political agenda and manipulating the military in the process. And it just seems completely incongruous. It doesn't honor the people that are serving in the military, it doesn't hold them in high esteem. Instead, it says we're gong to manipulate you and we're going to use you as a foil in this great debate that we're having across our country. You know what, let's have the great debate, but let's not use these folks as a pawn in this political game.

Tell the congressman that the only thing manipulative and dishonorable is not allowing troops to serve openly.

507 Cannon House Office Building
Washington, DC 20515
(202) 225-4561
E-contact form
Twitter

H/T to Progress Illinois for the news tip.

Web Spotlight: Campaign for Military Partners

The Campaign for Military Partners by Servicemembers United has been to reach out, recognize, connect, and support partners of lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender military personnel.

Veterans Lobby Day on Capitol Hill

Today hundreds of LGBT veterans and allies will descend on Capitol Hill to demand a repeal of the Don't Ask Don't Tell policy which bars openly gay servicemembers. A full schedule of events can be seen at Veterans Lobby Day.

There is also a "virtual lobby day" action and no matter where you are you can engage in two minute activism to show your support for repeal. LGBT POV is encouraging us to call our members of congress and demand repeal now.

Call the Congressional switchboard at 202-224-3121, tell them where you live, and ask them to connect you to your representative’s office.

Tell the staffer who picks up: Hi, this is [YOUR NAME] from [YOUR CITY] and I’m calling to support the Veteran’s Lobby Day that’s happening today. I urge Congress to repeal “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell” this year.



Also be sure to read up on the latest story of veterans from the front lines speaking up against the policy and join Howard Dean by signing the petition for repeal.

DADT Protest Rally in Washington D.C. on May 2nd

Newly formed activist group GetEQUAL will be holding a rally to protest the military's anti-LGBT Don't Ask Don't Tell policy. President Obama had promised to repeal the policy this year in his State of the Union address, but it appears the administration is backing down on that commitment to the gay community and the military.



Sunday May 2nd, 2010
Lafayette Park in Washington D.C. at 12:00 PM

Demand Obama Repeal Don't Ask Don't Tell NOW!

The protests and calls for movement on repeal of the discriminatory Don't Ask Don't Tell (DADT) policy have been growing louder by the days. President Obama has promised that he will repeal this law but has not set a date. With just a few days left to ensure that the provision to repeal DADT is part of the National Defense Authorization Budget activists are getting frustrated at the lack of action by the administration.

Activists are demanding that openly gay/lesbian/bisexual servicemembers not be discharged from the military for their identity. Yesterday hecklers shouted down Obama and forced him to address the issue. Today six servicemembers have chained themselves to the White House fence to bring attention to the plight of LGBT soldiers and veterans. You may remember that a similar gay rights action occurred just a few weeks ago.



Send Obama a powerful message that you demand he repeal DADT immediately.

GetEQUAL to Protest Obama at Boxer Fundraiser Monday Afternoon

President Obama is flying to Los Angeles today to star at a fundraiser for US Sen. Barbara Boxer . Though Boxer was well received at the California Democratic Convention on Saturday, she faces a tough reelection campaign because of anti-incumbent fever.

The new LGBT activist group GetEQUAL is planning to demonstrate over Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell. GetEqual is the group Lt. Dan Choi and Capt. James Pietrangelo represented when they handcuffed themselves to the White House gates last month over DADTand conducted a sit-in at Speaker Pelosi’s DC and SF offices to protest Congress’s failure to to pass the Employment Non-Discrimination Act (ENDA).



Crossposted via LGBT POV.

Rallies to Demand Justice for GetEQUAL Protesters

Grassroots organized rallies have sprung up around the country to demand an end to government sanctioned discrimination and to support protesters who were arrested yesterday at various direct-action events protesting Don't Ask Don't Tell and demanding an Employment Non-Discrimination Act.

Multiple actions by the newly formed group GetEQUAL took place yesterday, first starting with the anti-gay Don't Ask Don't Tell policy. Following a demonstration by the Human Rights Campaign, Lieutenant Dan Choi and Cpt. Jim Pietrangelo marched to the White House and chained themselves to the White House gate in a non-violent act of civil disobedience against the policy. The two were arrested without bail and will appear in a D.C. court today. Co-director of GetEQUAL Robin McGehee was arrested for aiding Choi in shackling himself to the fence but was later released.

Later in the day activists on both coasts took action to demand a trans inclusive ENDA be brought to the floor of congress. The protesters arranged a sit-in in at House Speaker Nancy Pelosi's San Francisco and Washington D.C. offices. The activists were arrested but have all been released. A blogswarm was also arranged whereby thousands participated in calling in to Pelosi's office demanding ENDA legislation.

Scheduled solidarity rallies:

Florida

Orlando
Friday, March 19
12:00pm
Senator Bill Nelson's Office
Orlando Landmark Two
225 East Robinson Street

New York

New York City
Friday, March 19
12:00pm – 2:00pm
Time Square Military Recruitment Office

California

Orange County
Friday, March 19
6:00-7:30pm
UC Irvine Footbridge at Campus between West and East Petalson.

Please comment if you know of additional scheduled protests.

Washington D.C. Rally for DADT Repeal Tomorrow

LGBT activists are headed to the nations capital to rally and lobby for an immediate repeal of the discriminatory Don't Ask Don't Tell policy which bars gay, lesbian, and bisexual servicemembers from serving openly. Among the protesters will be esteemed comedian and straight ally Kathy Griffin.

Thursday, March 18th
NOON
Freedom Plaza, Washington, DC (on Pennsylvania Ave NW between 13th and 14th streets)

Virtual Lobby Day to Repeal DADT

The Human Rights Campaign is holding a virtual lobby day to repeal Don't Ask Don't Tell that is coinciding with the hearings of the issue on Capitol Hill. Today is the day to put pressure on the congress to demand a full repeal of the policy barring openly gay, lesbian, and bisexual people from serving their country.

Take action to enable free and open service:

• First, go to the special action page where you can email your elected officials.

• Follow-up with a phone call. The Capitol switchboard is 202-224-3121. Tell them where you live, and they’ll connect you to any of your lawmakers’ offices. Tell your lawmakers that you’re calling to urge Congress to repeal “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell” this year.

• Spread the word on Facebook. You can also RSVP to the virtual lobby day event and invite your friends.

• Use Twitter to spread the word. Our volunteer lobbyists will be tweeting from the Capitol using the #DADT, #ENDA, #DPBO, #HIV and other hashtags. Once you take action, tweet about the experience and join the conversation.

• Learn more at www.hrc.org/RepealDADT

Tell John McCain to Stop Flip-Flopping on DADT

Senator John McCain has reversed his position on the anti-gay Don't Ask Don't Tell policy. Just four years ago he said he would vote to repeal the policy if military commanders said it was the right thing to do. Now fast track to 2010 and top military leaders are calling for a repeal but McCain is saying he is against it.

Tell Senator McCain to follow the lead of military commanders in repealing DADT by using this HRC form.

Col. Oliver North Defends DADT and Compares Gays to Pedophiles

Retired Colonel Oliver North and now Fox News political commentator has come out with outrageous anti-gay comments in an effort to support the military's Don't Ask Don't Tell policy barring openly gay and lesbian service members.

North in an interview with Sean Hannity of Fox News and through a column at Town Hall has called the repeal of the policy an experiment on "military lab rats" He goes on to make an outrageous comparison between gays and pedophiles.



How can he compare adults who love each other and want to serve their country to people who sexually abuse children? This is a disgusting and offensive suggestion and he must be taken to task.

Oliver North can be emailed regarding his article on Town Hall here.

Sean Hannity can be contacted here for featuring this piece.

Word of the Gay: "The 123 Words"

"The 123 Words" was the U.S. military policy formulated in 1982 barring gays and lesbians from serving prior to the Don't Ask Don't Tell Policy.

Veterans Day Action to End DADT

Letters to the editor are a great way to engage local media and raise awareness about our efforts to get rid of “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell.” A particularly effective letter to the editor can get thousands of people talking about the issue and have effects well beyond the pages of the paper. The letters to the editor section is one of the most read parts of a newspaper!

Join Servicemembers Legal Defense Network's action alert to write an editorial now. Their website will automatically connect you to multiple local newspapers to write an op-ed.

Memphis to Rally Against Desecrated Gay Rights Billboard

A billboard alongside a highway in Memphis Tennessee featuring a former Marine kicked out under the Don't Ask Don't Tell Policy has been desecrated. The billboard which said "I'm gay and I protected you're freedom" was an advertisement for the Memphis Gay and Lesbian Community Center. The sign was torn down a mere 10 days after it was placed.


A rally is planned for 1 pm on Sunday at First Congregational Church at 1000 S. Cooper Street in Memphis.

Stonewall Dems Fundraise for Congressman Patrick Murphy

The Stonewall Democrats, a national LGBT organization associated with the Democratic National Committee is fund-raising on behalf of our 'fierce advocate' when it comes to the Don't Ask Don't Tell repeal.

Congressman Patrick Murphy is the lead sponsor of the Military Readiness Enhancement Act, and as a veteran of the military, he has been using his position to speak up for change.

Send a letter of thanks to the congressman, and pledge to support his re-election efforts.