"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.

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.

Boycott DNC LGBT Fundraiser

Vice-president Joe Biden will be hosting a DNC LGBT fundraiser next week at the Mandarin Oriental Hotel in Washington, DC. An individual plate is 1,000 dollars and up and many people have already pulled out due to the administrations lack of action on LGBT issues, and their anti-gay defense of DOMA and DADT.

Among those who have already pulled out are HRC’s National Field Director Marty Rouse, Empire State Pride Agenda’s Alan Van Capelle, Former top Clinton aide David Mixner, Former top Clinton aide Richard Socarides and Towleroad’s Andy Towle and Corey Johnson (AKA William).

The three openly LGBT members of congress are attending the event and have yet to make any statements against the Department of Justices anti-gay defense of DOMA.

Contact our LGBT representatives and let them know that if they attend this event they are abandoning the LGBT community for their own interests.

Rep. Barney Frank:
2252 Rayburn Building
Washington, DC 20515
tel: (202) 225-5931
fax: (202) 225-0182

Rep. Tammy Baldwin
2446 Rayburn Building
Washington DC 20515
(202) 225-6942 Fax
(202) 225-2906
Email Form

Rep. Jared Polis
Washington, DC Office
501 Cannon HOB
Washington, DC 20515
p. 202.225.2161
f. 202.226.7840

Tell the President to End the "Don't Ask, Don't Tell" Policy and not to Fire Lt. Dan Choi

Lt. Dan Choi, from Orange County, California, is a graduate of the U.S. Military Academy at West Point and an Iraq War veteran. Last March he went on Rachel Maddow's show and spoke three truthful words: "I am gay."

As a result Lt. Choi received a letter from the Army on April 23 discharging him for violating the "Don't Ask, Don't Tell" policy. He told Rachel Maddow the letter was "a slap in the face" to himself and the soldiers he as commanded and served with over the past decade.

Lt. Choi is fighting to stay in the military and ensure that no other soldier is ever again discharged as a result of "Don't Ask, Don't Tell." The Courage Campaign and CREDO Mobile are joining his effort to secure equality in our armed forces.

President Obama did not create this policy. But he now has the opportunity to keep his promise and allow gay and lesbian soldiers to serve openly in the military. It's the right thing to do -- for justice and for national security.

140,860 people (as of Tuesday, May 26) have signed the following petition to President Obama from the Courage Campaign and CREDO Mobile. Please add your name now:

Knights Out Calling for Day of Action to White House Over DADT

Lieutenant Dan Choi is being fired because of his orientation. Lt. Choi acknowledges that he is one of tens of thousands, but we recognize him as a symbol of everything that’s wrong with this policy. A West Point grad, infantry officer, Arabic linguist, and Iraq vet – whose soldiers know he is gay, and support him – is being dismissed.

Knights Out is calling for a day of action on behalf of Lt. Choi and all those who are affected by the anti-gay Don't Ask Don't Tell policy.

On Tuesday, May 12, call the White House at 202-456-1111.

DADT Protest In Support of Lt. Dan Choi in Irvine, California

The Orange County chapter of Equality California (OCEC) is organizing a rally in support of Lt. Dan Choi who was ejected from the Army National Guard under the Don't Ask Don't Tell policy for coming out as a gay man on the Rachel Maddow show on March 20th.

You may remember that Mr. Choi and others created an organization called Knights Out to support LGBT alumni of West Point.

The protest will be held today...

May 7, 2009 from 2pm to 3pm
Bridge over Campus Dr. (Irvine, CA)
4255 Campus Drive
Irvine, CA 92612

People are encouraged to bring signs and friends to show support for Mr. Choi and repealing the Don't Ask Don't Tell policy.

D.C. Freedom to Serve Rally and Lobby Day!

Join Servicemembers Legal Defense Network to build momentum for repeal of "Don't Ask, Don't Tell" and show solidarity for all our service members.

When: Friday, March 13, 2009, noon
Where: Grounds of the U.S. Capitol, Washington DC


RSVP for the Freedom to Serve rally by clicking here or contact Benjamin Mishkin, at bmishkin@sldn.org. To RSVP for Lobby Day, click here or contact Jeremy Wilson-Simerman, Policy Advocate, at jwilson@sldn.org.

Proof Don't Ask Don't Tell Will Be Lifted Soon

Happy Saturday, this is proof Don't Ask Don't Tell will be lifted shortly.

Radio Host "Gunny" Bob Newman: "Gays In Military Increases HIV/AIDS"

On January 7 "Gunny" Bob Newman, host of The Gunny Bob Show on Colorado's KOA-AM Radio, used his Clear Channel-owned media platform to make false and defamatory comments about gay service members. Newman suggested that lifting "Don't Ask, Don't Tell," the ban on allowing qualified gay military personnel to serve openly in the armed forces, would lead to greater HIV risk.

On the program Mr. Newman said:

"Interesting, though, how Barack Obama, who strictly avoided military service, has – says that the key test must be those things. He left a lot of stuff out. Like being able to fight with as much combat power as you possibly can. And if we have gays serving openly in the military, according to the military, that is going to reduce their combat power. You reduce combat power, casualties can go up.

We had a doctor call in the last hour, a military doctor, been in a long time, and he explained the dangers of HIV-AIDS on the battlefield. Especially when it comes to combat transfusions at the battalion aid station or where have you, in the back of a Hummer ambulance, wherever. And I added there's also the danger of contamination when it comes to all the first responders on scene.

Often times that's gonna be a medic or a corpsman. Or just another soldier – doesn't have to be a medic or a corpsman or a Marine or what have you – who faces the additional risk of HIV-AIDS contamination. And the doctor also went on to explain, you know, how these transfusions are sought and how quickly they must happen. And he pointed out that if we do this, and more and more gays join the military and they are HIV-positive or suffering from AIDS, and their blood ends up getting transfused, you know, into another military person, well, then that's a death sentence for the other person too. 303-713-8585.

This doesn't bother Barack Obama. It doesn't faze him in the least. He doesn't care if a soldier or a Marine or a SEAL or what have you gets HIV, becomes HIV-positive, and then develops AIDS and dies because he happened to get a transfusion from an, say, an openly gay person with a very active sexual, open lifestyle.

Because to Obama, what's most important is two things, being politically correct – excuse me, three things: being politically correct; functioning as a good leftist; and number three, paying back the gay and lesbian lobby, which donated such staggering sums of money to his campaign. He owes them a lot of money."

The audio version of it can be found below thanks to Colorado Media Matters...


GLAAD is asking us to contact Clear Channel-owned KOA-AM executives in Denver, Colorado and Clear Channel Communications national executives in San Antonio, Texas to demand that they reprimand "Gunny" Bob Newman for his inappropriate and offensive remarks. Call on them to stop allowing their platforms to be used to perpetuate false and defamatory stereotypes about the LGBT community.

Contact:

KOA-AM

Mr. Lee Larsen
Vice President & General Manager
KOA-AM
Outlet Phone: (303) 713-8000
Email: leelarsen@clearchannel.com

Ms. Kristine Olinger
Director of AM Programming
KOA-AM
Outlet Phone: (303) 713-8000
Email: kristineolinger@clearchannel.com

Clear Channel Communications

Ms. Kathryn Johnson
Senior Vice President of Corporate Relations
Clear Channel Communications
Outlet Phone: (210) 822-2828
Email: kathrynmaysjohnson@clearchannel.com

Ms. Lisa Dollinger
Chief Communications Officer
Clear Channel Communications
Outlet Phone: (210) 822-2828
Email: lisacdollinger@clearchannel.com

If you choose to email Bob Newman himself he can be reached at bobnewman@850koa.com