Archive for the ‘Military’ Category

“My daughter has risked her life in Afghanistan, in Iraq, and has a high security clearance from the United States government. We are her family and we accept her, why can’t the United States military?”, a mother asked me bright and early Saturday morning. I was surrounded by booth after booth celebrating the diversity of Manchester, NH at the fourth annual People Fest in Veteran’s Park.

Last week, the Pentagon sent out 150,000 surveys to the heterosexual spouses of service members for their opinion on a repeal of “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell”. With this family survey now in the field, our friends at Servicemembers Legal Defense Network, will release a letter each day this week from family members and spouses of former service members impacted by DADT. As the Pentagon reaches out to 150,000 straight couples on how their lives are impacted, these letters will share the perspective of those forced to serve under this law alongside their loved ones.

Wrapping up this week’s letters, we hear from Angela Trumbauer. Angela’s brother is decorated Air Force Weapon Systems Officer Lt. Col. Victor Fehrenbach, who faces the threat of discharge under DADT:

Last week, the Pentagon sent out 150,000 surveys to the heterosexual spouses of service members for their opinion on a repeal of “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell”. With this family survey now in the field, our friends at Servicemembers Legal Defense Network, will release a letter each day this week from family members and spouses of former service members impacted by DADT. As the Pentagon reaches out to 150,000 straight couples on how their lives are impacted, these letters will share the perspective of those forced to serve under this law alongside their loved ones.

Today’s letter comes from Jose J. Rocha, the father of a sailor who endured harassment and was eventually discharged because of DADT:

Last week, the Pentagon sent out 150,000 surveys to the heterosexual spouses of service members for their opinion on a repeal of “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell”. With this family survey now in the field, our friends at Servicemembers Legal Defense Network, will release a letter each day this week from family members and spouses of former service members impacted by DADT. As the Pentagon reaches out to 150,000 straight couples on how their lives are impacted, these letters will share the perspective of those forced to serve under this law alongside their loved ones.

Today’s letter comes from Lee Quillian,a retired Chief Petty Officer whose partner was discharged by DADT:

Last week, the Pentagon sent out 150,000 surveys to the heterosexual spouses of service members for their opinion on a repeal of “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell”. With this family survey now in the field, our friends at Servicemembers Legal Defense Network, will release a letter each day this week from family members and spouses of former service members impacted by DADT. As the Pentagon reaches out to 150,000 straight couples on how their lives are impacted, these letters will share the perspective of those forced to serve under this law alongside their loved ones.

Today’s letter comes from Nancy S. Manzella, the mother of an Army medic who was discharged by DADT after serving openly during a combat tour.

Last week, the Pentagon sent out 150,000 surveys to the heterosexual spouses of service members for their opinion on a repeal of “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell.” With this family survey now in the field, our friends at Servicemembers Legal Defense Network, will release a letter each day this week from family members and spouses of former service members impacted by DADT. As the Pentagon reaches out to 150,000 straight couples on how their lives are impacted, these letters will share the perspective of those forced to serve under this law alongside their loved ones.

Today’s letter comes from Lynne Kennedy, the partner of an Navy officer who was forced into silence by DADT:

Our crew raced over to the Queen City itself – Manchester, NH – to gather petition signatures and prompt phone calls into Senator Gregg’s office urging him to repeal “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell.” We focused our efforts around Elm Street where the Annual CIGNA 5k road race was under way.

In New Hampshire, support for the repeal of “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell” is continuing to gain momentum. On Thursday night, Service Employees International Union was kind enough to donate space for volunteers to make calls to veterans in the state.

Julianne Moore is such a great friend of the LGBT community. And so much fun to talk to. The actress spoke with HRC’s Equality magazine about her new, big-buzz film, The Kids Are All Right, and more. She clearly knows a lot about our issues – speaking out, celebrating pride, safety in schools, “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell”.

Last week, veterans from the Fargo area shared their experiences in the military with staff from the offices of Senator Dorgan and Senator Conrad. Wayne Danielson also wrote to the Fargo Forum.

“I served in the Navy from 1986-90, and all the men in my family have been in the military. I enlisted and quickly progressed through the ranks…”