Human Rights Campaign Statement on Death of San Diego Area Sailor

The Campaign, the nation’s largest , , and () , released a statement today in the death of August , 29, at in , CA. According to reports, the and Marine Corps confirmed that a sailor’s body was found on the base at about 3 a.m. . A military confirmed that there was evidence of in the killing and that the case is a . It is also understood a “person of interest” is in custody at but has not been charged with a crime. Local report the victim may have been targeted because of his .

“Our thoughts are with the family at this time as work to learn what happened in the early morning hours this past Tuesday,” said Campaign . “The Campaign has confirmed has been in touch with officials at the base and is tracking the investigation. We know that every day of the , , and community are targeted for simply being who they are. Furthermore, our or soldiers with the burden of not serving openly and honestly based on the of ‘Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell.’ As we monitor the investigation, our community must continue to raise awareness on a law that we know hurts and while putting at .”

The Campaign is America’s largest working to achieve , , and . By inspiring and engaging all Americans, strives to end against and realize a nation that achieves fundamental and for all.

See Human Rights Campaign Statement on Death of San Diego Area Sailor

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Obama urges lesbian, gay patience overturning ‘unjust laws’

Remarks by at the Month Reception, June 29, 2009

THE PRESIDENT: Hello, everybody. Hello, hello, hello. (.) Hey! Good to see you. (.) I’m waiting for FLOTUS here. FLOTUS always more than .

MRS. : No, you move too slow. (.)

THE : It is great to see everybody here today and they’re just — I’ve got a of in the room, but there are some I want to especially acknowledge. First of all, somebody who helped ensure that we are in the , Steve Hildebrand. Please give Steve a big round of . (.) Where’s Steve? He’s around here somewhere. (.)

The new chair of the Export-Import Bank, . (.) Where’s Fred? There’s Fred. Good to see you, Fred. Our Director of the Institute of Sciences at DOE, . Where’s John? (.) A couple of special — Bishop Gene Robinson. Where’s Gene? (.) Hey, Gene. Michael Guest is here. (.) Jim is here. (.) Oregon is here. (.) All of you are here. ( and .) Welcome to your . (.) So.

MEMBER: (Inaudible.) (.)

THE : Somebody asked from the Bedroom here. (.) You knew I was from Chicago too. (.)

It’s good to see so many and familiar , and I deeply appreciate the support I’ve received from so many of you. Michelle appreciates it and I want you to know that you have our support as well. (.) And you have my thanks for the work you do every day in pursuit of

on behalf of the millions of in this country who work hard and care about their communities — and who are , , , or . (.)

Now this , I don’t need to tell you, is incredibly difficult, although I think it’s important to consider the extraordinary progress that we have made. There are to overturn and unfair practices to stop. And though we’ve made progress, there are still , perhaps or even family and loved ones, who still hold fast to worn arguments and old ; who fail to see your families like their families; and who would deny you the rights that most Americans take for granted. And I know this is painful and I know it can be heartbreaking.

And yet all of you continue, leading by the force of the arguments you make but also by the power of the example that you set in your own lives — as and , as PTA and leaders in the community. And that’s important, and I’m glad that so many families could join us today. (.) For we know that progress depends not only on changing laws but also changing hearts. And that real, transformative change never begins in Washington (cellphone “quacks”). Whose duck is back there? (.)

MRS. : It’s a duck.

THE : There’s a duck quacking in there somewhere. (.) Where do you guys get these ring tones, by the way? (.) I’m just curious. (.)

Indeed, that’s the story of the movement for and — not just for those who are , but for all those in our history who’ve been denied the of ; who’ve been told that the full and opportunities of this country were closed to them. It’s the story of progress sought by those who started off with little influence or power; by who brought about change through quiet, personal acts of compassion and and sometimes defiance wherever and whenever they could.

That’s the story of a who’s here today, , who was fired — (.) Frank was fired from his as an astronomer for the simply because he was . And in 1965, he a outside the , which was at the time both an of but also an of extraordinary . And so we are proud of you, Frank, and we are grateful to you for your . (.)

It’s the story of the , which took place 40 years ago this week, when a group of — with few and fewer supporters — decided they’d had enough and refused to accept a policy of wanton . And who were at those are here today. Imagine the journey that they’ve traveled.

It’s the story of an that decimated a community — and the who came to support one another and save one another; and who continue to fight this ; and who demonstrated before the world that different kinds of families can show the same compassion and support in a time of need — that we all share the capacity to .

So this story, this , continues today — for even as we extraordinary as a nation, we cannot — and will not — put aside issues of basic . (.) We seek an America in which no one feels the pain of based on who you are or who you .

And I know that many in this room don’t believe that progress has come fast enough, and I understand that. It’s not for me to tell you to be patient, any more than it was for others to counsel patience to who were petitioning for a half-century ago.

But I say this: We have made progress and we will make more. And I want you to know that I expect and hope to be judged not by words, not by I’ve made, but by the that my administration keeps. And by the time you receive — (.) We’ve been in office now. I suspect that by the time this administration is over, I think you guys will have pretty good about the administration. (.)

Now while there is much more work to do, we can point to important changes we’ve already put in place since coming into office. I’ve signed a memorandum requiring all agencies to extend as many federal benefits as possible to families as law allows.

And these are benefits that will make a real difference for and , who are so often treated as if their families don’t exist. And I’d like to note that one of the key in helping us develop this policy is , our director of the , who is here today. And I want to thank . (.)

I’ve called on to repeal the so-called Defense of to help end — () — to help end against same- in this country. Now I want to add we have a duty to uphold existing law, but I believe we must do so in a way that does not exacerbate old divides. And fulfilling this duty in upholding the law in no way lessens my commitment to reversing this law. I’ve made that clear.

I’m also urging to pass the Benefits and Obligations , which will the full range of benefits, including healthcare, to and their children. (.) My administration is also working hard to pass an employee bill and hate-crimes bill, and we’re making progress on both fronts. (.) Judy and Dennis Shepard, as well as their son Logan, are here today. I with Judy in the in May — () — and I assured her and I assured all of you that we are going to pass an inclusive hate-crimes bill into law, a bill named for their son Matthew. (.)

In addition, my administration is committed to rescinding the discriminatory ban on entry to the based on status. (.) The just concluded a review of a to repeal this entry ban, which is a first and very big step toward ending this policy.

And we all know that / continues to be a public threat in many communities, including right here in the District of . And that’s why this past Saturday, on National Testing Day, I was proud once again to encourage all Americans to know their status and get tested the way Michelle and I know our status and got tested. (.)

And finally, I want to say a word about “don’t ask, don’t tell.” As I said before — I’ll say it again — I believe “don’t ask, don’t tell” doesn’t contribute to our . (.) In fact, I believe preventing patriotic Americans from serving their country weakens our . (.)

Now, my administration is already working with the and of the House and the on how we’ll go about ending this policy, which will require an of .

Someday, I’m confident, we’ll look back at this and ask why it generated such angst, but as , in a time of war, I do have a responsibility to see that this change is administered in a practical way and a way that takes over the long term. That’s why I’ve asked the secretary of Defense and the chairman of the Joint to develop a plan for how to thoroughly implement a repeal.

I know that every day that passes without a resolution is a deep to those who continue to be discharged under this policy — patriots who often possess critical and years of training and who’ve served this country well. But what I hope is that these cases underscore the urgency of reversing this policy not just because it’s the right thing to do, but because it is essential for our .

Now even as we take these steps, we must recognize that real progress depends not only on the laws we change but, as I said before, on the hearts we open. For if we’re honest with ourselves, we’ll acknowledge that there are good and decent in this country who don’t yet fully embrace their — not yet.

That’s why I’ve spoken about these issues not just in front of you, but in front of unlikely audiences — in front of African American church , in front of other audiences that have traditionally resisted these changes. And that’s what I’ll continue to do so. That’s how we’ll shift . That’s how we’ll honor the of leaders like Frank and many others who have refused to accept anything less than full and equal .

Now 40 years ago, in the of at a place called the Inn, a group of , including a few who are here today, as I said, defied an unjust policy and awakened a nascent movement.

It was the middle of the night. The police stormed the bar, which was known for being one of the few spots where it was safe to be in New York. Now raids like this were entirely ordinary. Because it was considered obscene and illegal to be , no establishments for and could get licenses to operate. The of these businesses, combined with the vulnerability of the community itself, meant places like , and the inside, were often the victims of and .

Now ordinarily, the would come and the customers would disperse. But on this night, something was different. There are many accounts of what happened, and much has been to history, but what we do know is this: didn’t leave. They stood their ground. And over the course of several nights they declared that they had seen enough in their time.

This was an against not just what they experienced that night, but what they had experienced their whole lives. And as with so many movements, it was also something more: It was at this defining moment that these folks who had been marginalized up to challenge not just how the world saw them, but also how they saw themselves.

As we’ve seen so many times in history, once that takes hold there is little that can stand in its way. (.) And the riots at gave way to , and gave way to a movement, and the movement gave way to a that continues to this day. It continues when a fights for her right to at the hospital bedside of a she loves. It continues when a is called a name for being different and says, “So what if I am?” It continues in your work and in your , in your fight to freely live your lives to the fullest.

In one year after the , a few hundred and and their supporters gathered at the Inn to a historic march for . But when they reached Central Park, the few hundred that began the march had swelled to 5,000. Something had changed, and it would never change back.

The is when these folks protested at 40 years ago no one could have imagined that you — or, for that matter, I () — would be standing here today. (.) So we are all witnesses to monumental changes in this country.

That should give us hope, but we cannot rest. We must continue to do our part to make progress — step by step, law by law, mind by changing mind. And I want you to know that in this task I will not only be your friend, I will continue to be an and a and a who fights with you and for you.

Thanks very much, everybody. bless you. (.) Thank you. It’s a little stuffed in here. We’re going to open — we opened up that door. We’re going to walk this way, and then we’re going to come around and we’ll see some of you over there, all right? (.) But out there. (.)

But thank you very much, all, for being here. Enjoy the . Thank you. (.) ###

See Obama urges lesbian, gay patience overturning ‘unjust laws’ (text)

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National ‘Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell’ Repeal Tour Launch Set For Wednesday

U.S. Rep. , Campaign, Servicemembers United Participate on July 8

WASHINGTON, DC — U.S. Rep. (D-PA), a of the war, the Campaign and Servicemembers United, will announce the of a national tour urging the repeal of “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell,” the policy banning and servicemembers from serving openly, at a Newsmakers press conference at 10 a.m. on Wednesday, July 8, in the , , National Press Building, 529 14th St., N.W., Washington, D.C.

Murphy will be joined by , and straight veterans, including Alva, the first wounded in the War; Chlapowski, a former U.S. Korean who opted to not re-enlist because of and is currently a at the Campaign; and Nicholson, a U.S. fluent in Arabic discharged under and of Servicemembers United.

“Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell” — the U.S. policy on in the military — is the only law in the country that forces to be dishonest about their personal lives or be fired or possibly imprisoned, according to . They call it a that hurts and while putting fighting overseas at .

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Gates Plan May Be Beginning of the End of ‘Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell’

Studies Ways to Relax Enforcement as First Step; Impact on Troops Would be Minimal

SANTA BARBARA, Calif. — In the wake of yesterday’s unexpected announcement about in the military, experts say the “don’t ask, don’t tell” policy may be on the of that would speed up its demise. After speaking with last week, has asked military to explore how to modify enforcement of the policy in ways that are “more flexible until the law is changed.” The Monday reiterated his to end against troops, saying he is working with and the military to do so.

Christopher , of the Palm Center, said the remarks by Secretary Gates marked the first time the has made clear that the is onboard with the ’s determination to lift the ban. “‘Don’t ask, don’t tell’ is a package — both a law and a policy — that ’t been penetrated for fifteen years,” said. “This is a crack in , and it gets the ball rolling for a since it gives cover to who have been waiting for a from the .”

said that even a small change in how “don’t ask, don’t tell” is enforced could represent a seismic , even if it does not have a substantial on most troops, who would still be subject to discharge. If the military stops applying certain of the policy, as Gates says it is considering, it would send a signal to about the of change. “That’s why is the key to unlocking the ,” said . “Even the statements themselves, although they do await follow-up action, have changed the .”
 
Last month, the Palm Center published a report which outlined several legal and political for executive branch in regulating, and even halting, provided for by . One of those is closely linked to the new review announced by Secretary Gates. According to the Palm Center study, “the ‘don’t ask, don’t tell’ policy itself, as codified by , also authority to the to determine the procedures under which investigations, separation , and other personnel actions under the authority of 10 U.S.C. Section 654 will be carried out … The Secretary of Defense has to determine the specific manner in which ‘don’t ask, don’t tell’ will be implemented.” Prior to the release of the Palm Center’s report, most had assumed that only or the end the firings of troops.
 
Amidst mounting public pressure, press said this week that he thought “don’t ask, don’t tell” would be repealed by the end of the ’s first term. Nathaniel Frank, senior research at the Palm Center, said this week’s developments were politically significant. “Serious discussions have been launched by the himself,” said Frank. “ has said this is a failed policy that harms , so these are not just fixes, but may be the .” Frank added that any regulatory changes that fall short of halting all will be “window-dressing,” but he focused on the implications for further political change. “This means the potato party may finally be over, as the understands where the buck stops.”
 
In the wake of this week’s developments, the Palm Center announced that it is preparing a more extensive legal analysis of administrative for relaxing the application of certain of “don’t ask, don’t tell.” said that the Defense Department should invite as the rules are re-drafted, which would be consistent with past processes when military regulations have been
changed. “This review should be no different,” he said.
 
Organizations and individuals who have endorsed or endorsed consideration of the use of based on the legal theories outlined in the Palm Center’s study include Secretary Gates, 77 of , the page, , Campaign, , of the , the Robert Shrum, and former aide .
 
The Palm Center is a research institute at the , Santa Barbara. The Center uses rigorous social to inform of controversial , enabling to be informed more by evidence than by . Its data- approach is premised on the that the public makes wise on when high-quality information is available. For more information, visit www.palmcenter.ucsb.edu.

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House Dems urge Obama to halt gay discharges from the military

WASHINGTON _ In the most vocal for the to take the in allowing to serve openly in the military, 76 Democratic today urged to use his to order a halt to military under the controversial “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell” law and work aggressively with to pass new to overturn what they describe as a that harms .

“We you to the maximum legally possible in administering Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell until repeals the law,” states the letter, organized by Rep. , a of California. “To this end, we ask that you direct the Armed Services not to initiate any investigation of service personnel to determine their , and that you instruct them to disregard third party that do not allege violations of the .”

A recent study by the Palm Center, a at the , Santa Barbara, argued that has the authority as commander-in-chief to suspend the discharge process through an .

See House Dems urge Obama to halt gay discharges from the military

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TSA refuses to hire HIV+ Air Force Vetr to scan luggage, ACLU to sues - wonder if Obama will at lteat fix this?

Refused To Hire Qualified Because He Has
 
MIAMI – The American today filed a complaint with the on behalf of an Air Force who was refused a as a with the because he has .

“I was looking for a way to be able to serve my country once again and to supplement my income through this with the possibility of changing my . But after a and screening process, I was told that I am incapable and unworthy because I have ,” said Michael , who worked in intelligence for the Administration while serving in the Air Force from 1984 to 1987. “I am a long term survivor, and it has never interfered in my ability to work. As I have learned having lived with for nearly 20 years, with need to be able to make a living and support themselves just like everyone else as well as have the right to serve their country.”

 
In the spring of 2008, applied online for a position at the airport with the . He passed an in November 2008, and then underwent a comprehensive . In March 2009, he was finally invited to come in for an interview. At the interview, which included further testing, he was told that he would have to pass a physical. was required to disclose that he at the physical. As a result, he was told to submit additional information from his doctor, including his most recent lab results and a form from his doctor stating that his would not interfere with his ability to perform the duties of as , which he did.

has lived with for . His is nearly undetectable and he has never had any of the medical conditions associated with . Just he completed a 165 mile bike ride for in just 2 days.

Shortly after submitting the additional information, received a letter from Comprehensive Services, the contractor who administered the physical, saying that he was disqualified for the because of his status. A copy of the letter is available at http://www.aclu.org/hiv/discrim/39829lgl20090428.html. During follow up calls to Comprehensive Services, he was told that the reason he was rejected is because his status makes him more susceptible to and infections and that it was for his own .

Today the filed a complaint on ’s behalf with the Equal Opportunity for the Eastern Region of the charging that the is in violation of its own policy barring against with disabilities. A copy of ’s non- policy is available on their website at: http://www.tsa.gov/assets/pdf/civil_rights_policy.pdf. The complaint also charges that the refusal to hire violated his equal . It asks the to rescind ’s disqualification from .

 
“In the nearly 20 years that Michael has lived with , it has never affected his ability to work,” said Robert , Director of the Project of the of Florida. “ is always wrong, but it is especially shameful when government is behind the . I hope the recognizes the harm it is causing Michael and our country by refusing to hire a highly motivated and qualified employee.”

“As we have known for quite a while now, living with can long and productive lives and can make significant contributions in all professions, including baggage screeners,” said Dr. Margaret Fischl, MD, director and principal investigator of the clinical research unit at the University of Miami. “A with would pose no to others and would be no more likely to become infected with a cold or than anyone else working in the airport.”

A copy of the complaint filed by the as well as the letter notifying that he was being disqualified because he has and the submitted by his doctor stating he is physically capable of performing the duties is available at http://www.aclu.org/hiv/discrim/39827res20090611.html.

 
In addition to , is being represented by Shelbi Day, a with the Project of the of Florida, James Esseks, co-director of the ’s Project and Saxe, a with the ’s Project.

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As PRIDE Month Begins, DNC Chairman Tim Kaine Celebrates the Contributions of Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender Americans

WASHINGTON, DC — Chairman today issued the following statement marking June as Month:

“Today, on behalf of across our nation, the pays recognition to month — a time to join together in celebrating the contributions that , , , and Americans and their families make to our society. We also take this time to reaffirm our commitment to being a Party of and one that stands firm in promoting for every American.

“As and Americans, we believe we all are created equal and we have fought against based on race, , ethnicity, , language, , , , age, , and to divide us instead of unite us.

“The cause of ending against , , and Americans has taken a giant forward. With a in the who is committed to and justice, we have reached significant milestones. The Administration is the first to appoint openly candidates to -confirmed positions in its first 100 days and it has partnered with the international community at the to decriminalize around the world.

“The Administration is concentrating on a number of to ensure for all — such as supporting civil , Federal rights for , stronger laws, ridding our military of ‘Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell’ in a way that both ensures and strengthens our , banning in the work place, fighting / and ensuring rights.

“We as a Party and as a have come a long way, and we should be proud of what we have accomplished thus far in promoting for all Americans. But we still have much more to do. As we move with a Democratic and committed to for all Americans, we look forward to a nation where of any kind is a thing of the past.

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Sarvis: Time is now to end “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell”

Saying that lifting the military ban is a matter of urgent , , of the , is calling on to form a panel to study the effect of ending the “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell” policy and present its findings within 90 to 120 days. Any further delay in overturning law “is a slap in the to the estimated 65,000 and currently serving their country,” writes. CBS News * Tags = gay men gay news lesbian news transgender bisexual

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Pentagon: No Plans To End Military Gay Ban

The said today that it has no plans to repeal the military ban that prohibits open service by and soldiers.

told reporters Tuesday that repeal was not being actively pursued.

The ban, known as “don’t ask, don’t tell,” prescribes discharge from the military for and service who do not remain closeted or celibate.

pledged to scrap the 1993 policy during the campaign, but has since soft-pedaled on the issue, saying he is looking for “.”

When Martin asked Morrell for an update on what the is doing to repeal “don’t ask, don’t tell,” Morrell answered: “As far as I know, at this point, David, there has been no request made by the to the to repeal ‘don’t ask, don’t tell’.”

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New Study Says Obama Can Halt Gay Discharges With Executive Order

Experts Chart Course to End 16-Year Ban

SANTA BARBARA, Calif. — A study released today by a team of experts shows that the has the to end with a single order. The idea of ending the ban by has gained in the wake of news that mission-critical personnel, including speaker Dan Choi, continue to be fired under the administration because they’re . endorsed an to end the ban on Saturday and was asked about it by on . The report, “How to End Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell: A of Political, Legal, Regulatory, and Organizational Steps to ,” is sponsored by the Palm Center at the , Santa Barbara.

Many have argued that only can lift the ban on service by openly troops. But according to the study, is not needed. Dr. Aaron , Director of the Palm Center and a study co-author, said “The administration does not want to move forward on this issue because of from both parties in , and does not want to move forward without a signal from the . This study provides a recipe for breaking through the , as well as a for once the civilians give the green light.”

There are three legal bases to the ’s authority, the report says. First, has already granted to the the to halt under 10 U.S.C. 12305, a law which titled, “Authority of to suspend certain laws relating to promotion, retirement, and separation.” Under the law, the may suspend any of law relating to promotion, retirement, or separation applicable to any member of the who the determines is essential to the of the during a “period of national emergency.” The statute specifically defines a “national emergency” as a time when “ of a reserve component are serving involuntarily on active duty.”

The second and third bases of presidential authority are contained within the “don’t ask, don’t tell” itself. The law to the Defense Department authority to determine the process by which will be carried out, saying they will proceed “under regulations prescribed by the Secretary of Defense, in accordance with procedures set forth in such regulation.” Finally, the law calls for the discharge of service if a finding of is made, but it does not require that such a finding ever be made. According to the study, these mean that the , not , has the “authority to devise and implement the procedures under which those findings may be made.”

Diane H. Mazur, Professor of Law at the University of Florida College of Law and another study co-author, said the presidential authority to stop firing troops, known as “stop-loss,” is different from the highly unpopular stop-loss policy that the recently announced it would phase out. “That use of stop-loss forcibly extends service by those who wish to leave the military,” she said, “whereas suspending for would do the opposite: allow ongoing service by those who wish to remain in uniform.” The study says the of the stop-loss law, which are granted by , are “sensible because they give the authority to suspend laws relating to separation when a national emergency has strained personnel requirements.”

The other four authors of the study in addition to Mazur and are Dr. Nathaniel Frank, a Palm researcher and author of “: How the Ban Undermines the Military and Weakens America”; Dr. Gregory M. Herek, Professor of Psychology at the , Davis; Dr. Elizabeth L. Hillman, Professor of Law at the Hastings College of the Law; and Bridget J. Wilson, who practices law at Rosenstein Wilson &; in . The report will also be published in a , “ Social Policy Perspectives 2010,” edited by James Parco, David Levy and Fred Blass.

The Palm Center is a research institute at the , Santa Barbara. The Center uses rigorous social to inform of controversial , enabling to be informed more by evidence than by . Its data- approach is premised on the that the public makes wise on when high-quality information is available. For more information, visit www.palmcenter.ucsb.edu * Tags = gay men gay news lesbian news transgender bisexual

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