All Blog Posts (161)

Straight Guys Tell

You’ve heard the threats -- about how gay men in the shower might bring down the U.S. military with a wink, a pinch, or a flick of a wet towel. But where’s the truth in that? What’s it really like to serve alongside gay and lesbian service members?

The Advocate went on location at Fort Lewis Army base in Washington and asked.

Read more: http://www.advocate.com/Politics/Straight_Guys_Tell/

Added by Arleen on October 21, 2009 at 6:05pm — No Comments

San Diego Navy veteran combats ‘don't ask, don't tell’

The rejuvenated debate over the military's policy on gay service members has focused attention on a 23-year-old Navy veteran in San Diego who says he suffered prolonged, sexually-oriented hazing while serving as a dog handler in Bahrain.

A Navy investigation completed in 2007 and released last month confirmed nearly 100 instances of abuse in the 19-member dog-handling detachment between 2004 and 2006.

Some of the abuse targeted Joseph Rocha, now a junior at the… Continue

Added by Arleen on October 21, 2009 at 5:00pm — No Comments

PRIDE!!!!

Added by robert waters on September 20, 2009 at 9:26pm — No Comments

"Don't Ask Don't Tell" article about effects on family runs on Brazilian news site!

The following story appeared in "Epoca", a well-read online Brazilian news source on Friday, August 8, 2009. The piece was written in Portugese, but a translation is below. Obviously, the translation is not perfect and at times a bit hard to read, but it gets the point across. I am told that this article was the most clicked piece of the day (although my Brazilian friends tell me it may be simply because Brazilians love blonde-haired American boys and my photo may have attracted readers :) -… Continue

Added by Benny on August 12, 2009 at 10:30am — No Comments

'Silent partner' examines what happens when people 'don't tell' (Article & Info)

From the Los Angeles Times

'Silent partner' examines what happens when people 'don't tell'

Lt. Dan Choi introduces a new documentary film about three gay partners of military personnel.

By Alexandra Zavis

July 18, 2009

Ben Cartwright has been a passionate advocate for gay rights for 12 years. He is a regular at gay pride marches, has a pod-cast and writes for a gay newspaper in San Diego.

The last thing he expected was to have to put a part of… Continue

Added by Lisa Kove on July 20, 2009 at 9:45pm — No Comments

My Brother by Evelyn Thomas

I wrote this poem for Seaman August Provost. On July 10th, 2009 at 7:30pm the DOD FED Globe and The North County LGBT Coalition will hold a Candlelight Vigil for Seaman August Provost "1 is too Many" in Oceanside, CA. The location is 1306 Noarth Coast Highway. I will read the following poem during the event.

My Brother

People will remember your name

My Brother

We will make sure

You did not die in vain

My Brother

We lift your spirit

My… Continue

Added by Evelyn Thomas on July 8, 2009 at 5:08pm — No Comments

Blaming the Wrong People, The PLL Concept

Jase Watson

President of Push the Change!

Board Member of DOD FED GLOBE

Vice President of Scripps Ranch High GSA

It has come to my attention that there are many people whom are starting to discuss the fact that President Obama has not really acted upon the various promises he made while running for the United States Presidency. I for one started noticing this shortly after he was sworn in and placed into office.

The thing that disappoints me though is that… Continue

Added by Jase Bruce Watson on June 22, 2009 at 1:11am — No Comments

U.S. to Extend Its Job Benefits to Gay Partners

NOTE: Our spouses need those health benefits.

June 17, 2009

U.S. to Extend Its Job Benefits to Gay Partners

By JEFF ZELENY

President Obama will sign a presidential memorandum on Wednesday to extend benefits to same-sex partners of federal employees, administration officials said Tuesday evening, but he will stop short of pledging full health insurance coverage.

Mr. Obama, in an Oval Office announcement, is expected to offer details about which benefits… Continue

Added by Lisa Kove on June 17, 2009 at 7:53am — No Comments

A Bad Call on Gay Rights

June 16, 2009

Editorial

A Bad Call on Gay Rights

The Obama administration, which came to office promising to protect gay rights but so far has not done much, actually struck a blow for the other side last week. It submitted a disturbing brief in support of the Defense of Marriage Act, which is the law that protects the right of states to not recognize same-sex marriages and denies same-sex married couples federal benefits. The administration needs a new direction on gay… Continue

Added by Lisa Kove on June 16, 2009 at 8:12am — No Comments

New York Times Video Op-Ed: "A Gay Soldier's Husband"

This is a piece of the "In Their Boots" documentary. The full episode will air in July, and will feature DOD FED GLOBE Family & Friends Chair Ben Cartwright, and footage of the DOD FED GLOBE Board of Directors in action!

http://video.nytimes.com/video/2009/06/09/opinion/1194840804819/op-ed-a-gay-soldiers-husband.html

Added by Benny on June 10, 2009 at 10:15am — No Comments

The Ban on Gays in the Military (Editorial from NYTimes)

June 10, 2009

Editorial

The Ban on Gays in the Military

The Supreme Court’s refusal this week to hear a challenge to the ban on homosexuals serving openly in the military is not much of a legal setback. The court did not address the merits of the case, and another lawsuit still moving through the courts may be a better vehicle for challenging the benighted policy.

Even so, relying on a conservative court to make things right would be a gamble. Unfortunately,… Continue

Added by Lisa Kove on June 10, 2009 at 1:54am — No Comments

INVISIBLE.

As a partner of a gay servicemember, one word best sums up my experience: INVISIBLE.

To the military, I do not exist. I am in a loving, committed relationship with a brave servicemember who has even fought on the ground in Iraq. But his relationship with me is not valued, supported, or even recognized by the Department of Defense. In fact, if our relationship was made known to the military he could face severe consequences, up to and including dishonorable discharge.

I… Continue

Added by Benny on June 1, 2009 at 11:19am — 1 Comment

Mullen: Military to comply if gay ban law changes

Mullen: Military to comply if gay ban law changes

Sun May 24, 3:21 pm ET

WASHINGTON – President Barack Obama's top military adviser said Sunday the Pentagon has enough challenges — including two wars — without rushing to overturn a decade-old policy that bans gays and lesbians from serving openly in the military and incites political and social factions on both sides.

Adm. Michael Mullen, chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, said he is working on an… Continue

Added by Lisa Kove on May 25, 2009 at 6:53pm — No Comments

Mass. campaign urges Obama to nix gay marriage ban (article/ info)

Mass. campaign urges Obama to nix gay marriage ban

BOSTON – Gay marriage supporters in Massachusetts are urging President Barack Obama to honor a campaign promise to seek repeal of the federal Defense of Marriage Act.

A lawsuit by Boston-based Gay & Lesbian Advocates & Defenders challenges a portion of the act, which bars the federal government from recognizing same-sex marriages.

A coalition of gay-rights groups wants supporters to… Continue

Added by Lisa Kove on May 20, 2009 at 12:23am — No Comments

Gay-Marriage Issue Awaits Court Pick Same-Sex Unions Supplant Abortion As Social Priority for Conservatives

Gay-Marriage Issue Awaits Court Pick

Same-Sex Unions Supplant Abortion As Social Priority for Conservatives

By Shailagh Murray

Washington Post Staff Writer

Sunday, May 17, 2009

As President Obama prepares to name his first Supreme Court justice, conservatives in Washington are making clear that his nominee will face plenty of questions during the confirmation process on the legal underpinnings of same-sex marriage.

In addition to shedding more… Continue

Added by Lisa Kove on May 19, 2009 at 11:52pm — No Comments

Pentagon: No plans to end policy toward gays (article/ info)

Pentagon: No plans to end policy toward gays

By Lara Jakes - The Associated Press

Posted : Tuesday May 19, 2009 14:27:40 EDT

WASHINGTON — The Pentagon says it has no plans to repeal the don’t ask-don’t tell policy for gay troops.

Pentagon spokesman Geoff Morrell said Tuesday that the military’s top leaders have only had initial discussions with the White House about whether gay troops should be open about their sexuality.

Under… Continue

Added by Lisa Kove on May 19, 2009 at 10:34pm — No Comments

Paws That Heal

I like this site - very needed. I'm a friend to the LGBT community - worked with and around the LGBT community in Boston - and I work with Wounded Warriors through a program that brings blind people, our guide dogs and Wounded Warriors together in a healing envirnnment. I've been with this special program for the last three years. My friend works at the Naval Medical Center of San Diego and she started the program when she had a chance encounter with a Wounded Warrior in her building. The… Continue

Added by Lyn Gwizdak on May 10, 2009 at 3:47pm — No Comments

Gay group lobbies Obama for lesbian Supreme Court nominee (article/ infor)

Gay group lobbies Obama for lesbian Supreme Court nominee

By Staff Writer, PinkNews.co.uk • May 6, 2009 - 17:32

Kathleen M Sullivan has been tipped as a contender for the Supreme Court

A new grassroots group called Equal Rep is lobbying US president Barack Obama to appoint a lesbian to the Supreme Court.

Kathleen M Sullivan, an openly lesbian former Stanford Law School dean, has been tipped as a contender to replace Justice David H Souter when… Continue

Added by William Willie Lloyd Kove on May 7, 2009 at 9:01am — No Comments

Openly gay soldier Dan Choi dismissed from National Guard under Don't Ask, Don't Tell

Openly gay soldier Dan Choi dismissed from National Guard under Don't Ask, Don't Tell

By Jessica Geen • May 7, 2009 - 14:02

Dan Choi has been sacked for being gay

Lieutenant Dan Choi, the National Guard soldier who publicly came out live on national television, has been dismissed from duty.

He was dismissed for "homosexual conduct".

Choi is a campaigner for the repeal of the military gay ban and a founding member of the… Continue

Added by William Willie Lloyd Kove on May 7, 2009 at 8:57am — No Comments

As Gay Issues Arise, Obama Is Pressed to Engage (Article/ Infor)

May 7, 2009

White House Memo

As Gay Issues Arise, Obama Is Pressed to Engage

By SHERYL GAY STOLBERG

WASHINGTON — President Obama was noticeably silent last month when the Iowa Supreme Court overturned the state’s ban on same-sex marriage.

But now Mr. Obama — who has said he opposes same-sex marriage as a Christian but describes himself as a “fierce advocate of equality” for gay men and lesbians — is under pressure to engage on a variety of gay… Continue

Added by William Willie Lloyd Kove on May 7, 2009 at 8:25am — No Comments