Official SU Blog

White House Statement on the Passage of the DADT Repeal Amendments
Posted by Servicemembers United on May 28, 2010

THE WHITE HOUSE

Office of the Press Secretary

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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE May 27, 2010

Statement by the President on Votes to Repeal “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell”

I have long advocated that we repeal ‘Don’t Ask Don’t Tell’, and I am pleased that both the House of Representatives and the Senate Armed Services Committee took important bipartisan steps toward repeal tonight. Key to successful repeal will be the ongoing Defense Department review, and as such I am grateful that the amendments offered by Representative Patrick Murphy and Senators Joseph Lieberman and Carl Levin that passed today will ensure that the Department of Defense can complete that comprehensive review that will allow our military and their families the opportunity to inform and shape the implementation process. Our military is made up of the best and bravest men and women in our nation, and my greatest honor is leading them as Commander-in-Chief. This legislation will help make our Armed Forces even stronger and more inclusive by allowing gay and lesbian soldiers to serve honestly and with integrity.

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SU Briefing Memo: DOD Legislative Policy Package Transmittals and DADT Repeal Language
Posted by Servicemembers United on May 18, 2010

Advocacy organizations, community leaders, and individual activists have long been calling upon the President to include language that would repeal the “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell” (DADT) law in the administration’s recommendations for the National Defense Authorization Act. However, the exact process by which those recommendations are transmitted and the timing of those transmittals have recently been misunderstood and misreported. This memo will summarize the defense legislative proposal transmittal process and clarify what remains possible with respect to DADT repeal language from the administration by way of legislative policy transmittals.

The full briefing memo can be found at www.servicemembersunited.org/dodtransmittals.

Statement on the Senate Armed Services Committee Hearing on DADT
Posted by Servicemembers United on February 02, 2010

“Secretary Gates and Chairman Mullen both took a strong and principled stand today against the failed and outdated ‘Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell’ law, and we strongly  commend their courage and honesty in doing so,” said Alexander Nicholson, Executive Director of Servicemembers United. “However, the idea that such an extended process is necessary to adequately prepare for full legislative repeal is ill-informed. While a modest implementation planning period is reasonable given current political and operational circumstances, it is important that there be a clearly defined – preferably via statute – set end-date for full repeal.”

Statement on Judge’s Ruling on Emergency Appeal in LCR Case against DADT
Posted by Servicemembers United on November 30, 2009.

Servicemembers United is extremely proud of the bold stance that Federal District Court Judge Virginia A. Phillips took in her new ruling on the Justice Department’s motion for interlocutory (i.e., emergency) appeal in the Log Cabin Republicans’ lawsuit challenging the constitutionality of the “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell” (DADT) law. The unusual maneuver, which not only went to “rare and extraordinary” lengths to once again try to get the suit dismissed, also sought to block ongoing discovery in the case and to halt any further proceedings. The judge, however, strongly rebuked the Justice Department’s arguments, called out the government for seeking an “emergency” appeal four months after the initial decision (but immediately after discovery requests were served on the Defense Department), and even went so far as to threaten sanctions against the Justice Department for blatant violations of the court’s procedural requirements.

This stance represents a principled and brave new attitude (even if a singular one) within the judiciary toward legal challenges to the DADT law, as other legal challenges have fallen victim to a judicial tradition of near-negligent deference to the government and to the status quo with respect to the DADT law. It is finally refreshing to see a judge at the trial court-level buck this pattern and allow the DADT law itself – and by proxy all gay servicemembers and veterans – to have its day in court. That day, it now seems, will finally come in June of 2010.

What has been less than refreshing, however, is the cool reception that this case’s success (and mere existence) has received from certain other LGBT advocacy organizations, activists, and media. Organizational territorialism, disconnection between rhetoric and action, and inconsistent (or sometimes only parasitic) interest in the DADT issue and the gay troop/veteran community continue to plague the DADT Repeal Movement. Regardless, this new small but solid victory is one that all of us can and should celebrate as a significant step forward for our troops, our military, our country, and the cause of true freedom and equality.

And as always, to all who currently serve in silence, keep fighting for us and we’ll keep fighting for you!

SU Statement on Justice Department’s Emergency Appeal in DADT Lawsuit
Posted by Servicemembers United on November 02, 2009.

While it is understandable that the government usually has a duty to defend the laws of the United States, it is very disappointing that the Obama administration has gone beyond that duty in trying to thwart this case by way of this rare and unusual legal maneuver. In addition to the motion for interlocutory appeal, currently scheduled to be filed on November 16th, the administration is seeking to halt proceedings in the case and to block discovery by asserting the dubious claim that it would be burdensome to the Department of Defense.

The President’s stated desire to see the DADT law repealed is much appreciated and very encouraging. Indeed President Obama is squarely on the right side of history on this issue. However, putting all of our eggs in one basket – the legislative basket – is a risky proposition, as the political winds can quickly change in Washington and across the country. While we do not doubt the sincerity of the President’s desire to see this discriminatory policy overturned, we do strongly doubt the wisdom of the administration’s decision to go out of its way to thwart this sole remaining challenge to constitutionality of the DADT law.

Ultimately, this motion by the Justice Department is an affront to the tens of thousands of brave men and women in uniform who happen to be gay, lesbian, and bisexual. President Obama and his Justice Department should not file this unnecessary emergency appeal on November 16th, and the rest of the LGBT community should join in a united front in demanding the same.

On the Passing of Senator Edward M. Kennedy
Posted by Servicemembers United on August 29, 2009.

Today our nation collectively grieves and reflects as Senator Ted Kennedy returns to the Washington area one final time to be laid to rest at Arlington National Cemetery. Our great respect and admiration for this venerable man, a true champion of equality, exceeds the limitations of mere words. Suffice it to say, however, that we will remain forever grateful for all he contributed to our nation. Senator Kennedy was, and always will be, a great American.


SU Statement on ‘Stepping Stone’ / ‘Partial Repeal’ Options
Posted by Servicemembers United on July 13, 2009.

Servicemembers United is made up of the very men and women who have been impacted by the so-called ‘Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell’ (DADT) law and, as a result, SU supports any viable proposal that could serve as a stepping stone to the ultimate goal of full repeal. All proposals, however, are not created equal. Some aim to cut funding that does not exist, while others invoke extreme and unpopular loopholes to get around the law. While an interim solution is certainly welcome, it is important that the introduction and, if successful, existence of this solution not impede the goal of full and final repeal of this archaic law.

On the Death of Seaman August Provost
Posted by Servicemembers United on July 05, 2009.

On the morning of June 30, Seaman August Provost, 29, was found dead by a sentry on Camp Pendleton. A military spokesperson has confirmed evidence of foul play, to include the shooting and burning of Provost, who was on guard duty for Pendleton’s Assault Craft Unit 5 compound. Kaethar Codero of Texas has come forward as Provost’s partner of 3 years, and family members of Provost suspect the death may be the result of a hate crime base on his sexual orientation. Representatives Bob Filner and Susan Davis have both requested inquiries into Seaman Provost’s death.

“While we cannot know the complete circumstances surrounding August Provost’s death until the investigation is complete, this tragedy highlights many of the fundamental flaws inherent in the ‘Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell’ policy, including its tacit condoning of homophobia,” said Servicemembers United Executive Director Alex Nicholson, “Our thoughts are with the family of August Provost and with Kaethar Codero as we continue to closely follow developments in this case.”

Deal or No Deal?
Posted by Servicemembers United on June 26, 2009.

Much ado has been made lately about whether the Human Rights Campaign, the nation’s largest LGBT advocacy organization, struck or attempted to strike a secret deal with the White House and/or Democratic leaders on Capitol Hill to hold off on moving forward with repeal of the “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell” (DADT) law in order to secure a vote on legislation dealing with hate crimes and employment discrimination. However, this back and forth ignores and detracts from the reality on the ground that DADT does not yet have the votes to even make it out of committee in either chamber, much less actually pass if it were to be put on the calendar and brought forward for a vote. Instead of continuing the discourse about whether there was or wasn’t some kind of conspiracy to prevent DADT from moving forward this year, our community should put that energy into joining us in actually finishing the work that still needs to be done to get this issue ready for a vote.

Servicemembers United Co-Founder Becomes DADT Consultant for HRC
Posted by Servicemembers United on June 15, 2009.

There has been a lot of talk lately in the blogosphere, on gay talk radio, and off-line among individuals that has been quite critical of the Human Rights Campaign, the nation’s largest GLBT advocacy organization, for not being more pro-active on the “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell” issue. However, what the general public did not know was that a search has been going on for the past few months for a top quality gay veteran to come on board full-time with HRC to help the organization build and implement its DADT repeal strategy and to represent HRC on the issue. A few weeks ago, HRC selected Army veteran, Servicemembers United co-founder, and experienced DADT repeal advocate Jarrod Chlapowski for the job.

SU was more than happy to bless Jarrod’s transition to an in-house position at HRC. Many activists and activist organizations often fail to realize that DADT straddles the very different worlds of GLBT politics and defense politics, and that the sphere of the latter tends to trump any other competing sphere. What that means for us as a community is that DADT is not like, and cannot be treated like, any other issue under the GLBT rights umbrella. Seventy percent public support for repeal of DADT means little in the realm of defense politics, as Congress, the courts, and even the White House all tend to defer to the opinions of the Pentagon’s insulated leadership on defense issues, especially on matters of defense personnel policy. For this reason, the way in which we advocate and lobby for most GLBT issues simply will not work for DADT.

Similarly, the gay military and veteran community is distinctly different from the general gay community. It too draws characteristics from two very different sets of experiences, being gay and having served in the military, and this dialectic combination gives a unique character to this sub-population within the GLBT community. The effect of this is that civilians, non-veterans, and professional activists carry little sway with the gay military and veteran community, and it takes those who have “been there” to effectively speak to, organize, and galvanize this group.

By initiating a search earlier this year for a highly qualified and well respected gay veteran to lead their DADT repeal effort, HRC demonstrated an understanding of this issue and this community that often escapes many other non-veteran organizations that try to take up the DADT issue. Now, if HRC is willing to grant its new DADT consultant the leeway to use his judgment, experience, and expertise to guide them to an effective DADT repeal advocacy program, it will be effectively living up to its responsibility as the nation’s largest and richest GLBT rights organization, and it will be doing a great service to our cause.

Jarrod has been a wonderful advocate and organizer during his time with Servicemembers United. This opportunity to “loan” one of our best assets to HRC solidifies a strong partnership between SU and HRC moving forward that we fully expect to end in repeal of DADT.

Why the Palm Center’s Executive Order Option Failed
Posted by Servicemembers United on May 25, 2009.

Earlier this month, the Palm Center released a study in which it argued that the president currently has the legal authority to immediately halt all investigations and separations pursuant to the “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell” law. While the primary legal argument behind this claim was technically sound, the secondary and tertiary arguments were a bit of a stretch. Regardless, the public discourse surrounding the newly advocated “option” for the president focused on the former, and yet the potential solution failed to garner significant support within the GLBT organizational community, the DADT Repeal Movement, or the Administration.

The Palm Center’s proposal, while interesting and certainly deserving of the attention it received, unfortunately lacked certain essential elements of political viability. More importantly, the Palm Center neglected to even attempt to round up intra-community support for its proposal. While the latter is not a necessary constitutive element of the former, it would have at least ensured a much stronger and more unified voice of support – and perhaps serious consideration by the Administration – rather than Palm being left as the solo advocate for its own solution here in Washington, a city in which it already has no substantive presence.

Introduction to the new, ‘Official SU Blog’
Posted by Servicemembers United on April 25, 2009.

Since the incorporation of individual member blogs into the SU website during the last major site overhaul in November 2007, the suggestion has been been made, pondered, debated, and finally adopted to create a separate “official” SU blog to serve as an outlet for organizational positions and stances on the various issues, options and debates that arise within the gay military, veteran, and defense community, and on relevant issues that affect this community from without. The Official SU Blog will, therefore, not only be distinct from the individual member blogs that are promoted on the website, but it will also serve a function distinct from Official SU press and news releases. Whereas the content of the latter will naturally be oriented outward, the Official SU Blog’s content will be more oriented toward intra-community discourse, communication, dialogue, and constructive debate.