DADT: Disgusting that the LGBT are being used as a Political Issue

May 32010

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The White House and the Department of Defense are using the LGBT community's freedom and equality as a political issue. The 'private letter' to Capitol Hill by Secretary of Defense Robert Gates demanding that Congress not move on repeal before the completion of a study by the military over the next year is outrageous. In the letter Gates says repealing DADT now 'would send a very damaging message to our men and women in uniform that in essence their views, concerns and perspectives do not matter.' There is no question that this letter provides cover to Blue Dog Democrats up for reelection and has a chilling effect on our chances of repeal before the elections.

The White House press operation responded with gibberish nonsense about their commitment that we have heard a thousand times. In no way did they indicate that the Defense Secretary's position is not their own. Does anyone above the 8th grade really believe the White House wasn't fully aware of the Secretary's comments to Congress? If so, I have a bridge I want to sell you.

Using the LGBT community's rights one more time as a political football, they continue to systematically deny us full equality. The entire process now reeks of political opportunism and cowardice at the expense of millions of Americans' equality. Promises have been broken left and right by the administration when it comes to LGBT rights. Their silence is as powerful as their actions.

Rightfully responding to the oppressive laws in Arizona, the administration has shown it can indeed involve itself in state's human rights issues. Their actions regarding Arizona make their silence on the passage of Proposition 8 and the repeal in Maine all the more dastardly. To add insult to injury, the Justice Department is having a field day opposing our court cases, the legislation giving Federal Employees full equality is moving so slow that it is embarrassing, ENDA was promised in March and it is now May and we were removed from the healthcare bill. There is, without a doubt, a complete lack of a moral center in this administration when it comes to LGBT issues.

Secretary Gates' letter, clearly an attempt to stop any repeal of DADT before the election, is just one more piece of this puzzle of not taking the LGBT struggle for full equality seriously. If we had any doubts of their willingness to allow us to continue to live as second class citizens for political reasons they should be erased with this letter. The missive isn't even clever in its raw attempt to create more and more delay.

The White House keeps saying over and over again that DADT will be repealed. The time has come for them to explain to us how they expect that to happen if Republicans control one of the two houses of Congress. The fact is, as we all have been saying for a year, the President can do what he has the power to do and that is issue a 'stop-loss' order immediately until the offensive study is completed. Please, someone please explain to me what they are hoping to discover about us in order to allow us to serve with honor?

This letter, the White House response, its impact on Congress and the playing of politics with people's freedom can only be described as simply disgusting. The White House, Secretary Gates and anyone who supports this effort should be totally ashamed

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GET EQUAL: Several Hundred At White House Protest; Six Arrested

May 22010

Several hundred people led by military vets held a rally today at the White House. Six brave protesters chained themselves to the White House fence and have been arrested. This continues the series of nationwide protests around the country against DADT organized by Get Equal. In a surprise appearance, former Presidential candidate and National Democratic Committee Chair Governor Howard Dean spoke at the protest. Dean's attendance at the rally is an indication that even the leaders of the Democratic Party are losing patience with the foot dragging of this administration on DADT. Lt. Dan Choi joined Dean in addressing the rally.

Bravo to those arrested today and my deep thanks. (Thanks to Pam Spaulding of PamsHouseBlend.com for the photograph).