LCR and DADT
In response to several articles written recently about the DADT military policy, the Log Cabin Republicans ( LCR ) have been unequivocal in their messaging and work against this failed military policy. Log Cabin has worked tirelessly to help overturn this policy. We are opposed to the idea that any Republican presidential candidate can not do anything regarding the DADT policy. This includes Gov. Huckabee's recent statement that we don't 'need a president who's trying to tell the military how to run the military.' After all, it only took Truman's signature in 1948 to Executive Order 9981 to ensure that our nation's military was integrated racially, something fairminded Americans knew was the right thing to do then as it is now.
LCR sharply critized former President Clinton and pointed out the facts when he recently tried to orally rewrite the history of DADT blaming the Pentagon alone for the failed 1993 policy saying that as soon as it was signed into law, 'the anti-gay forces in the military started to use it as a excuse to kick [ gay ] people out.' 'If this was true,' says National LCR President Patrick Sammon, 'why didn't he do anything about it for the seven years he served as President after signing the legislation?'
LCR has also been meeting with three of the current Republican Presidential candidates to voice our opinions and concerns on several issues having to do with the LGBT community including DADT to much agreement and appreciation from these three candidates. To see some of what LCR has done toward this important work, go to www.logcabin.org . LCR will continue to work with the remaining Republican candidates and the Republican members of the Armed Services Committee to overturn the disastrous DADT policy.
David J. Valkema
President, Log Cabin Republicans-Illinois
National Board Director, Log Cabin Republicans
Building Bridges
over the Rainbow
Dear Charles O'Neill,
The intention of this open letter is to engage you and members of the National AGLO ( Archdiocesan Gay and Lesbian Outreach ) board of directors in a public dialogue about ministry to the LGBT community with members of the board of directors of the Rainbow Sash Movement. Both are national LGBT Catholic organizations with different approaches to ministry.
As we observe the season of Lent, in my opinion, all Roman Catholics should take this opportunity to reflect on our life journey, and how we have fallen short not only individually, but also as a church. Lent continues to be a journey from life to death, and back to life. It is in that spirit I would like to ask the following questions of you.
Should ministry to the LGBT community be more concerned with teaching and imposing orthodoxy than being involved in social-justice issues of the community? Is it the place of ministry to challenge the patterns of homophobia in archdioceses around the nation? Do you view this form activism as political, or do you think that social justice-related concerns of the LGBT community should be publicly supported by your ministry? Is silence in the face of injustice sound pastoral practice? Is it wise to compartmentalize our beliefs?
The Catholic hierarchy has actively worked against legislation that would prohibit job discrimination, and housing for same-sex people in various jurisdictions around the nation. On the surface it would appear you hold your position as a national Catholic organization, with the permission of the National Council of Catholic Bishops, over the social needs of the LGBT community. Is my interpretation correct, or am I in error?
Dialogue requires that we engage in a truly honest inquiry into the painful relationship of the LGBT community with the Roman Catholic Church. Certainly, this type of discussion would call us to unlearn in order to learn; brace for some levels of pain; seek first to understand; recognize the sanctity and power of language; and focus on the reality of the present situation.
Integrity and maturity, I believe, call us to this type of honesty, and respectful dialogue. Given the deep fissures in the relationships between the LGBT Community and the Catholic bishops of the United States, what are called for are honesty and courage. We are sisters and brothers in Christ; we really need to respect that relationship, and show it by communicating with each other and our community in a transparent manner, with love in our hearts.
Sincerely Yours in Christ,
Joe Murray
U.S. Convener
Rainbow Sash Movement
