The Human Rights Campaign joined Servicemembers Legal Defense Network and American Veterans for Equal Rights last week in releasing 'Documenting Courage: Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual and Transgender Veterans Speak Out.' The publication, available at www.hrc.org and www.sldn.org, features the stories of GLBT veterans who served under discriminatory policies.
Meanwhile, at least six gay, lesbian and bisexual military members are facing discharges because of their online profiles in what appears to be a trend for enforcing the military's policy against gay soldiers.
'American soldiers are risking their lives for the freedoms of others while being denied their own,' said HRC President Cheryl Jacques. 'Gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender service members deserve to be treated with the same respect as their peers, and HRC, SLDN and AVER will stand together in opposition to current policy until the day that becomes a reality.'
Approximately 10,000 service members—linguists, infantry members, doctors, pilots, nurses, engineers, navigators, tankers, mechanics and members of virtually every other specialty—have been discharged in 10 years under 'Don't Ask, Don't Tell.' These discharges have cost taxpayers between $250 million and $1.2 billion, according to research by SLDN.
'Americans are paying dearly to subsidize military discrimination,' said C. Dixon Osburn, executive director of SLDN. 'With overwhelming opposition to the 'Don't Ask, Don't Tell' policy, the nation's security at risk and a pressing need for Americans who are willing to serve, there are more than enough reasons for members of Congress to agree that the current laws are wrong.'
The publication features the stories of 13 veterans—including Pfc. Franklin Kameny, who served in World War II; Lt. Col. Hank Thomas, who served two tours in Vietnam and also worked for both the Nixon and Reagan administrations; and Petty Officer 1st Class Cheryl Ann Costa, a transsexual who served in Vietnam.
'These stories are amazing. Every page tells the story of a veteran who displayed courage, but also immense dedication to their country while serving in silence. Clearly, patriotism and loyalty know no boundaries of sexual orientation or gender identity,' said A.J. Rogue, president of American Veterans for Equal Rights. 'It is our honor to stand side-by-side with such longtime notable organizations such as SLDN and HRC, united in our fight to end all discrimination of gays, lesbians, bisexual and transgendered individuals; fighting for such things as the right to serve our country openly and honestly as the proud patriots we are; or the right to marry the person we love.'
According to SLDN, online personal ads prompted at least one gay-related firing per month so far in 2004. The cases make up 21 percent (six of 29) of the 'outing' incidents monitored by SLDN this year, Ralls added.
The circumstances of the cases are similar, reports PlanetOut: A soldier has a falling-out with a coworker, an acquaintance or a former love interest, and that person reacts by alerting the soldier's commander to the online profile that identifies the soldier as gay or bisexual.
Ralls cited Gay.com and other dating sites as those used by the six gay or lesbian servicemembers. He said none of the individuals were serving in the U.S.-led war in Iraq when they were outed. PlanetOut Inc., parent company of Gay.com and PlanetOut.com, is working with SLDN to draft guidelines that will help servicemembers protect themselves online. See guidelines for military members: www.planetout.com/news/feature.html?sernum=875.
In other news, more than 60 veterans and activists stormed Capitol Hill last week, calling on their elected representatives to repeal the military's 'Don't Ask, Don't Tell' ban on lesbian, gay and bisexual service members.
SLDN's second annual lobby day was the largest organized lobbying effort around the military's gay ban since its inception in 1993.
Participants included MCPOCG Vincent W. Patton III, USCG, (Ret.), a former Master Chief Petty Office of the Coast Guard; LTC Steve Loomis, who is challenging the military's ban in court after being discharged days before his retirement; Patricia and Wally Kutteles, parents of slain Army PFC Barry Winchell; and three retired flag officers—BG Keith Kerr, BG Virgil Richard, and RADM Alan Steinman—who came out publicly in The New York Times in December.
Also participating were AVER Chicago chapter president Jim Darby; SLDN Chicago board member Jean Albright; a soldier who was discharged after coming out at the 1993 March on Washington, Jose Zuniga; and other Illinois vets. They met with staffers in the offices of Peter Fitzgerald (R), Richard J. Durbin (D), Jesse Jackson Jr. (D) and Jan Schakowsky (D).
In all, 22 state delegations met with over 90 Congressional offices, Republican and Democratic, from both the House and Senate.
Congresswoman Eleanor Holmes Norton, D-D.C., a staunch supporter of LGBT rights, welcomed the participants at a Monday morning reception in Washington. 'We have nothing but the highest praise for our men and women in the military, and that is as it should be,' said Rep. Norton. '[LGBT veterans] have made a special sacrifice that other veterans are not asked to make. When you are willing to die for this country, the last thing I want to know is ... your sexual orientation.'
