Air Force DADT Training Timeline And Issues Still To Come

I was passed this document (PDF) from the Air Force talking about their implementation plan for the repeal of Don't Ask, Don't Tell.

There are a couple interesting things to pick out of here. First, that all training is to be completed by June 2011. To me, this represents that the top brass of the Air Force fully expect the repeal to be certified soon, as training is to begin in April 2011. So that's good news for those of us skeptical of when the repeal would be certified.

Second is section 2, labeled Policy. This is pretty much what I figured would happen, but I was hoping for something more. Essentially, this section confirms that the Air Force plans on ONLY implementing the letter of the repeal, meaning that they will no longer discriminate based on sexual orientation when considering recruiting, promotion and kicking people out. However, they will not put in to place any other policies to even the playing field for LGB soldiers.

The housing policy will not change. The pay scale policies will not change. The medical benefits policies will not change. Even naming a partner/spouse as your benefactor or next of kin will still not be allowed, as the Federal Government does not recognize this. Essentially, they are stating that because of DOMA, they cannot implement any other changes.

And this is where I call bull shit. While I am fully aware that the armed forces are simply limited in what they can and cannot provide because of federal policies, I'm going to point to the State Departments recent revelations that they can, indeed, provide same-sex partner benefits and can provide for housing of same-sex partners to foreign-service employees. They are regulated by federal policy as well, yet they have found a way to make it work.

I knew this would be a problem. I knew that this repeal would be just the beginning. And I know that there will be many more discussions, legislative efforts, and lawsuits to come to iron out these policies to make them fair for every soldier.

But this does still benefit quite a few soldiers and potential recruits. I think it will mostly aid young LGB people considering a one-time enlistment in military service, possibly so they can take advantage of GI benefits. These young people may not yet be in a place where they are concerned about long-term relationships or partner benefits, etc. But if they get stop-lossed because we're still tied up in senseless wars, this could become a problem.

For anyone considering longer service, there are still many hurdles to overcome. They'll get no support when it comes time to move because they've been re-assigned to another base. They're spouse will receive no support while the soldier is deployed. It doesn't even look like the soldier's partner will get base privileges. It's not like soldiers are on the top of the pay scale, so trying to find private insurance for their significant others is going to be prohibitive. In short, life for LGB soldier's trying to make a career out of service will still not be easy.

But progress is progress. As anyone familiar with the military knows, everything is a process and change does not come quickly or easily to the armed service branches.

DADT Is Dead, But There's Still More Hurdles To Come

December has been an interesting month, and I've missed a lot of great topics to write about. A few things have prevented me from writing, like increased demand at work, more effort being put in to my physical therapy as I'm still not recovering as quickly as is "normal," and increased game time in down time due to a new video game (or five) at home.

All that aside, some great things have happened over the past month. On a national scale, I'd say the biggest news is the repeal of "Don’t Ask, Don't Tell" which will allow for military service members to to keep their jobs after they've come out on the job. There's been a lot said on the subject recently and there's not much more I can add to the discussion, except that I'm happy to see the policy go. There are still quite a few challenges ahead for LGB service members (and quite a lot more challenges for Ts), but we've made it over the big hurdle.

It still remains unclear though exactly how equal we will be in the military ranks. We can serve openly now (or rather once the repeal is fully implemented), but other major discrepancies will still need to be worked out. What about the pay scale difference married heterosexual soldiers get? DOMA still prevents gay and lesbian people from having Federal marriage recognition, even if their marriage is certified in a state that recognizes marriages between same-sex couples, and since the military is Federal organization it simply cannot honor all marriages. Yet the variation in pay difference is clear, biased discrimination. How about off-base housing options for same-sex couples and off-base housing pay differential? How about health insurance benefits for partners?

Many, many questions still need to be answered. My guess is many of these questions will be addressed before full repeal is implemented, which is part of the reason for the need for a delay, but I'm also going to venture that many of these will require long, grueling court battles before any real equality is achieved.

None of this is even taking in to account the systemically homophobic systems of the military. Culture change is also necessary to achieve equality. I think the culture of the military will change with time, but this repeal is the first step in allowing that change to begin. While the military brass were allowed to play make believe that no homo-gays were in their ranks they could easily condone homophobic behavior, if for no other reason than because no one complained about it. How could a soldier complain about how being called a "fag" by their commanding officer hurt them while maintaining their silence on their sexuality? While there certainly were ways to address that, I'd wager that most gays wouldn't dream of complaining for fear of being suspected.

I suppose I could wrap this up by saying I'm realistically optimistic at this point. There will be many, many more challenges for LGB service members, but I still think that we, as a country, can overcome those challenges. It may take some time, but we'll get there.

Do We Enjoy Sounding Like Out Opponents?

It appears that many Queer theorists and far-leftists are having a hard time understanding the importance of repealing the Don't Ask, Don't Tell policy. It affects so few LGBT people that we should be focusing our efforts on more wide-spread legislation such as ENDA (Employment NonDiscrimination Act), they say. Marriage Equality would serve to force societal change, they opine. Some even say that gays don't want to serve, anyway, so why does it matter?

It's ironic then that these same arguments are used to fight against ANY pro-gay legislation. Why should lawmakers worry about legislation that only effects less than 8% of the population when we have double digit unemployment to worry about? Wouldn't health care reform do more to advance the Democrats agenda?

We, as a community, need to understand that all of this legislation is important. Dismissing one for another is fruitless. Each is only a piece of the Equality puzzle, and none of them are the magic cure-all some seem to be hoping for.

So while it is true that only a percentage of LGBT folk serve in the military or wish to, that doesn't mean that those members of the community are any less important an valuable. Do we really want to sound like our detractors by saying that LGBT folk should just go find another career instead of doing what the love or are proud of?

Repealing DADT: I'm Concerned About A Compromise

There is a lot of news today about a potential deal that may have been worked out between Congress and the White House/DOD concerning the repeal of the Don’t Ask, Don't Tell policy. Here's the breakdown of what I've seen so far:

The bill will provide for the repeal of DADT under the assumption that two conditions are met. First, the study that is currently under way concerning how the repeal of DADT would effect military readiness must be completed. Second, the President, Secretary of Defense and Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff must sign off that the findings in the report are acceptable and that they agree that the repeal of DADT works in favor of military readiness. Only when those two conditions are met will the DADT be officially considered repealed.

It's progress. It's a step forward toward the goal of getting rid of the discriminatory, putrid DADT policy and another step toward full equality in this country. I would argue that the full integration of LGB folk into the Armed Services is perhaps the most important equality measure this country can implement now, as I feel most other rights will fall in line after LGB people are allowed to serve their country openly, honestly and courageously. So yes, it is a progressive step.
Well… at least it sounds like a progressive step. As some have pointed out, this may not be as great as it sounds.

If you notice in my description above, there was no specific time table laid out for the completion of the two prerequisites. There is also no specific mention of protections for LGB service members against discrimination. These two issues are very troubling to me.

Without a time table, the President or his lackeys (Secretary of Defense and Chairman JCOS) can simply sit on this thing until they deign it OK for service members to serve openly. The report could be delayed for "further analysis" or the three signees may not agree and nothing would move forward. This would, in effect, completely halt the repeal of DADT. Even if the President rushes the study through, all it would take to stop the Repeal effort would be that the Chairman simply not sign off on the changes and nothing would happen and no one would have any recourse as Congress would have already passed the buck.

Without specific protections included in the repeal effort, we are for all intents and purposes putting the military back to where it was pre-DADT. For those that don't recall, DADT was considered a compromise at it's time, a way for LGB folk to serve in the military without getting discharged. The idea was that they could serve just as long as they did not "flaunt" their sexuality. As we all know, things did not work out quite like that, as anytime someone tangentially related to the service member sneezes in a gay way the service member gets the boot, but if you look at the military prior to DADT, they were able and allowed to kick men and women out for suspicion of gayness. They had a pure and simple policy that stated No Queers. Without specific protections, we're rolling back to that same era where it is up to the military how to manage The Gays… and history shows us they do not like to manage us very well.

I like the idea of DADT repeal and I have to say that I'm afraid that if we don't accept this "deal" then we won't get anything at all, but I also have to say that I don't have a single good feeling about this. Not one bit. Nothing about this smells good for our people. I feel like we're being stung along here and oddly right before the 2010 election season begins in full.

We need full repeal. We need specific protections. We need real assurances. I get that those things won't happen tomorrow, but these are the things that should happen. However, in the meantime we have LGB service members that are being bled out of the service and that needs to stop immediately, and this bill may be the only way to make that happen.

Here's what I would propose: instead of giving three people total and utter control of the repeal process, pass a bill that calls for full integration within 1 year's time with specific deadlines for integration including an immediate moratorium on expulsions based on DADT. Also include very specific non-discrimination policies with that bill. And do not give three people who have zero accountability to the Congress complete control. Pass it through Congress so that any threat of a veto can be overturned. And do it today.

Scalia Is A Fat Guy Who Loves A Weak Military

I, uh… hmmm… How should I say this?

If we can't get the Supreme Court to even listen to a case concerning Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell, which is a pretty clear cut and dry discriminatory policy, how in the world do these guys think they can get the Supreme Court to overturn Proposition 8?

Look, I'm all for fighting on every front, and I'm all for letting the rich and privileged fund our fight, and I'm all about pushing and pushing until they give in… but I just don't think the current US Supreme Court will do that for us. I could be wrong, and they could just pop out and surprise us, but I'm not thinking that's going to be the case.

So for now, it looks like we'll just continue to bleed all of our resources out of the military. Don't worry Scalia, those fucking queers you're so willing to toss under the bus won't bother trying to decipher whatever the hell those terrorists are saying anymore. We'll just go have our Pride parade and not worry about being good civil citizens or protecting your fat ass from the evils abroad.

How To Waste A $25 Million Investment

Here's how the administration can easily throw away $25 MILLION of our tax money: Fire a highly decorated and commended fight pilot/instructor that has served our country gallantly over the last 18 years. Go ahead, fucking fire him. He's one of them there 'mosexuals, he obviously can't perform his duties. Oh, wait.. You mean Lt. Colonel Victor Fehrenbach has been doing it for the last 18 years and is only 2 years away from retirement with full military pension, which he'll lose if Obama doesn't act RIGHT FUCKING NOW?

Oh, that's cool. No worries, I really enjoy watching our military fall to the shitter because of some fucked up notion of sexual normalization by old white dudes in purty uniforms (most likely designed by another queer guy). It's really no big deal that we're in the midst of a losing war and a financial crisis, $25 million in investments, not even mentioning the courage and integrity the administration will be tossing out the window, is really just chump change, right?

Obama, you made a promise. Now live up to it. Stop fucking around and get it done. We're really over it. Our community is on the brink of losing it because we've heard absolutely nothing from you. It's like we're AIDS in the 80's: if you just don't mention us, maybe we'll go away. Sadly for your team, that's not the case. We aren't going away, and we will continue to demand equality and continue to force your hand as best we can until you live up to your campaign promises. And not in your (supposed) next term, but in this term. You know, the one you promised to fix things in.

Gay Military Men Marrying In Iowa

A Sailor Walks Into A Debate...

I need you to check out this story. If that isn't a shining example of why the military's current anti-gay policies need to go, I don't know what is. People should not have to live like this, not when they are serving in defense of our country. The only thing that DADT improved (if you can even use that word) is that it is no longer a dishonorable discharge from the military, as it would have been for David.

The policy needs to end, and not in a quaint little "when the time feels right" time-frame that we've recently been blindsided with. The time will never "feel right" for bigots, same goes for marriage equality. It is the Government's job to force these changes and do what is right and correct. Furthermore, it is the responsibility of the President to live up to his promises, and I think it's fair to call him out on his presumed failures when his people are making statements to the effect of "Yeah… we don't really care about DADT…. TY for you Vote though! LYLAS!"

Check out David's blog, then feel free to copy and paste my letter to Obama from yesterday and send it to the President. Or write your own. Modify it and send it to your Representative and Senator. This policy has to go, and it's going no where as long as we allow our Government to sit back and do nothing.

Don't Pull Away From Us, Obama!

This is what worries me. Already, we're seeing Barack back away ever so slightly from LGBT causes that he championed on the campaign trail:

President-elect Barack Obama will not move for months, and perhaps not until 2010, to ask Congress to end the military's decades-old ban on open homosexuals in the ranks, two people who have advised the Obama transition team on this issue say. Repealing the ban was an Obama campaign promise. However, Mr. Obama first wants to confer with the Joint Chiefs of Staff and his new political appointees at the Pentagon to reach a consensus and then present legislation to Congress, the advisers said.

We have to stay on our politicians. We can't let them "Clinton" us again. Not this time. We as a community have allowed ourselves to be taken advantage of too many times over the past 20 years, we simply cannot allow it to happen anymore. We have a Democratically controlled national government and a court system that more and more favors deregulation of government authority in personal lives (read: more likely to support gay-positive issues because the opposition represents too much government interference). The Speaker of the House has built her career on the backs of gay and lesbian men and women. We have a President that has promised our community soooo much, and even though I doubt that he can live up to all his promises, we need to hold his feet to the fire nonetheless. If we don't demand all our rights, we will receive none of them.

I get that he wants to build a consensus. I admire that as well. But I've far too often seen politicians pull out Bull Shit lines like this in an attempt to appease an audience while they whole-heartedly forget the issue. It's the classic "Look over there!" I know Barack says he's not the same old, same old kind of Politician, and I believe that he will bring change to this country, but he needs to show me that he's going to work on the Change I voted for.

Write to Barack today. Write to your Senator. Do not let the repeal of DADT (Don't Ask, Don't Tell) become a back seat issue. I know we're fighting hard for marriage equality, but we cannot allow our flanks to become weak while we focus on one issue. Marriage is not the end-all, be-all of equality, although it is a HUGE piece of the puzzle. Our soldiers already have to fear for their lives in an unjust war, there is no reason they should also have to fear being disgraced and stripped of their service record simply for being who they are. It is an archaic belief system that maintains DADT, and one that has caused far more harm to our service numbers and Defense budget than openly gay soldiers ever will.

Source

Straight? Speak Arabic? Here's $150,000

Looks like the Army is offering up 6-figure retention bonuses to Arabic linguists that sign up for another go-round.  Which is great!  These guys have been putting their life on the line, day-in-and-day-out, because they are constantly needed on the front lines.  Give them the bonus, and a raise!

Just, you know, think about why you're in such a dire need for Arabic linguists.  It could be the innumerable amount of gay linguists you've canned from service based on Don't Ask, Don't Tell.  I'm just gayin...