Right to Serve... updates...

[Jennifer5]

This thread is for posting things you find about the Right to Serve campaign...

http://www.365gay.com/Newscon06/08/081006recruit.htm

[NathanATX]

http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20060811/ap_on_re_us/gay_recruits

Great article!

[Jennifer5]

Thanks... I thought I had nother thing to post until I realized that it was the exact same thing as what you already posted

[Mia14]

If you see anyone named Marissa in these articles, it's me!

http://www.advocate.com/exclusive_detail_ektid31759.asp

http://www.philly.com/mld/inquirer/news/local/states/pennsylvania/counties/philadelphia_county/philadelphia/15175587.htm

http://cbs3.com/local/local_story_213152612.html

http://news.lycos.com/wired/story.asp?section=Breaking&storyId=1558184

http://www.dailyprogress.com/servlet/Satellite?pagename=CDP/MGArticle/CDP_BasicArticle&c=MGArticle&cid=1149189904615&path=

Twin brothers!
http://web.newsok.com/video/27437/

[awediot]

I had some doubts about about this action, but must say I am proud of you guys, especially with the lit fuse of a planet we live on... I disagree with the war and much of what this administration does, but I admire and appreciate your willingness to put yourselves on the line...

I also feel your success is inevitable, for good, and bad reasons (another story)... just for a fact is stranger than fiction bit-o-weirdness::: DADT circa 1920 (http://kevincassell.com/PERSON/CONVERSA/newport.htm)(kinda raw, but interesting gay experiment in the military)

[Vanessa White]

I really feel such a sense of pride and connection to this action, maybe because I know Mia in 3D and am so proud of her commitment and courage! I have always admired those persons who have the courage to enlist anyway, even though I don't agree with war and military actions much of the time, I admire those that feel that committed to it. Be safe, make good choices in the actions, and we are all behind you through it all. Peace and love, Vanessa :pray: :love: :pray: :love: :pray: :love: :pray: :love:

[BruceChris]

And you look sharp on camera! But mostly I support what you are doing, even if I don't always agree with the military.

Peace and Love, BruceChris

[Mia14]

Thanks for all the support, everyone. It really means a lot to all of us in this campaign to know that we have support out there. :D :D

[Jennifer5]

http://www.advocate.com/news_detail_ektid35748.asp

http://www.advocate.com/exclusive_detail_ektid35438.asp

http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/nationworld/chi-0608140206aug14,1,5197983.story?coll=chi-newsnationworld-hed

http://washingtontimes.com/national/20060813-122143-2548r.htm

http://www.todaysthv.com/news/news.aspx?storyid=32652


:flower: I think most of those basically say the same thing...

[Britt.]

This isn't really an update, but I was talking to Pamela yesterday (now that I think of it, she's the first soulforce person I've ever talked to offline, although it was only the phone). I'm pretty sure I'll be at the OKC event, definitely Tulsa.

So I'm all excited now. I don't know if my car can make it though. It sucks. If I can't make Ben go, I might need a ride from Tulsa, if possible.

[Jennifer5]

http://www.365gay.com/Newscon06/08/081806ask.htm

:flower: Good luck finding a ride and everything Britt. (is Ben the person you're dating? or someone else?)

[Vanessa White]

Hey Britt: I am so glad that you connected with Pam and are finding a level of participation that agrees with you. I will pray for your car and it getting you there safely. Good luck and fill us in on the outcome. Peace and love be with you. Vanessa :love: :love: :love: :love:

[Britt.]

I was just talking to Pamela on the phone for my entire lunch break, which was pretty cool. Seems like a great person. She's trying to help me find a ride w/ other people who live here. So maybe pray for that. And her computer, which started having problems b/c of storms.

So it looks like I'll probably be in OKC for some part of the sit in.

!

[Vanessa White]

I pray that a ride will come your way. And for her computer too. Can't wait to hear about how it goes. Mia did well on this side of the country, and has some stories about the experience as well. Peace, Vanessa:love:

[NathanATX]

(I did have a link here... but their site is so vulgar, I didn't want to send unwitting folks there.)

Homosexuals On Campaign To Undermine Military
August 17, 2006 – Homosexual activists are planning a new publicity campaign to undermine the military’s “don’t’ ask, don’t tell” policy on homosexuals openly serving in the armed forces.

The latest attempt to undermine the military is to send openly homosexual males and females into military recruiting offices and tell the recruiters they wanted to enlist in the service. Activists recently did this in Philadelphia where three of them were turned down by the recruiter after saying they were homosexuals.

These three activists are part of the Right to Service Campaign of Soulforce, a homosexual group founded by Mel White. This campaign is also linked to efforts in Congress by pro-homosexual legislators to pass the Military Readiness Enhancement Act. An estimated 119 Congressmen have agreed to co-sponsor this bill.

This homosexual media campaign also includes targeting various military bases around the U.S. and vilifying them for dismissing homosexuals from the service. Fox News reported on August 14 that Fort Leonard Wood in Missouri has dismissed 60 homosexuals from service. This statistic comes from the Servicemembers Legal Defense Network, another homosexual group trying to undermine the military.

Fort Campbell, Kentucky, home of the 101st Airborne has dismissed 49 this year. The Fox article points out that Fort Campbell is where Pfc. Barry Mitchell was bludgeoned to death by a fellow soldier who thought Mitchell was a homosexual. Mitchell’s death was made into a movie, “Soldier’s Girl.” (Mitchell used to visit a transvestite in a homosexual bar in Nashville, Tennessee.)

[Britt.]

Barry Mitchell was bludgeoned to death by a fellow soldier who thought Mitchell was a homosexual. Mitchell’s death was made into a movie, “Soldier’s Girl.” (Mitchell used to visit a transvestite in a homosexual bar in Nashville, Tennessee.)

One thing I find vulgar is how they slip that information in parentheses into the article just right to attempt to make it sound justifiable.

[NathanATX]

One thing I find vulgar is how they slip that information in parentheses into the article just right to attempt to make it sound justifiable.

I agree. Their entire site is filth.

[Jennifer5]

Thank you Nate for posting the article and not the link! It doesn't sound like a place any of us even want to see much less read about...

http://www.gay.com/news/election/article.html?2006/08/18/5
http://keyetv.com/local/local_story_234135710.html
(I feel really stupid because I can never figure out how to name these...)

Can somebody help me understand... why are people getting arrested?

[NathanATX]

http://keyetv.com/local/local_story_234135710.html

http://img.viacomlocalnetworks.com/images_sizedimage_234144806/lg

Rebecca is awesome! She and her girlfriend, Jessie, attend MCC Austin.

Send her an email! rebecca.solomon@righttoserve.org

[Jennifer5]

you know it's times like this that I wish I lived in a different area where I could actually be part of these different things... nothing ever seems to happen in washington.

[Vanessa White]

Hey Jen: From what I understand from Mia, the arrests are occurring because there are a few demonstrators showing up at the recruitment offices, and basically making operations more difficult by informing people, having a large group by the entrance, etc. I think the arrests are on the basis of not dispersing when asked to do so by police, at least in Phila. I mean, they weren't blocking doorways, or causing a safety concern or anything. Just a nuisance I guess...... Mia said that afterward, when the police had them at the station, they invited the activists to join the police force instead since the military doesn't want them if they are gay. That is at least a little progress.....

[Jennifer5]

Thanks Vanessa! I was completely confused hearing many people got arrested... that great the the police force would say such a thing! Maybe that's not what we were expecting but definately progress! Who would think that would come from this kind of thing?:)

[Jennifer5]

http://myspace.nuclearcentury.com/

[Jennifer5]

this article was good I thought>>>
http://www.dailysouthtown.com/southtown/dsindex/23-ds6.htm


this one on the other hand... well it's from focus on the family.. not so nice>>>
http://www.family.org/cforum/fnif/news/a0041734.cfm

[Dash]

Just saw this article:

Soulforce takes "don't ask" protest to Oklahoma (http://news.yahoo.com/s/po/20060823/co_po/soulforcetakesdontaskprotesttooklahoma)

Fascinating...twins...one gay, one straight. Will the straight twin be admitted into service?

[Jennifer5]

http://news.monstersandcritics.com/northamerica/article_1193834.php/Gay_students_turned_away_by_Army_recruiter
http://www.advocate.com/news_detail_ektid35922.asp
http://www.kotv.com/news/?109860

why do these all sound the same to me...

with the twins, I was wondering the same thing... will the straight one get accepted:confused:

[Emproph]

this one on the other hand... well it's from focus on the family.. not so nice>>>
http://www.family.org/cforum/fnif/news/a0041734.cfm

Soulforce, an advocate for special rights for gays, is calling the effort the Right to Serve campaign.

:smashy:
http://www.family.org/cforum/news/a0041744.cfm

[Jennifer5]

http://www.onlinegreensboro.com/~matthillnc/?p=1310
:love:

[Emproph]

'Coordinated' Campaign Targets Military Ban on Homosexuals (http://headlines.agapepress.org/archive/9/212006g.asp)

(AgapePress, Sept 21-06 -highlights)
A conservative military watchdog says homosexual-rights groups are engaged in a coordinated public relations campaign to try to convince Congress to lift the ban on homosexuals serving in the military.

"There is an organization called Soulforce based in one state, then there is another group that was based in San Francisco that showed up in Virginia," she says. "I do see the markings of a professional public relations campaign."

There is little doubt about Soulforce's involvement in the campaign. The pro-homosexual organization's website admits to sponsoring a program called "Right to Serve" -- a 30-city "awareness" campaign... Donnelly is convinced the campaign is part of a strategy to get Congress to repeal the law banning homosexual conduct in the military -- and organizers, she believes, have a broader agenda.

Donnelly says she doubts Congress will change the law that clearly bans practicing homosexuals from the military. It is unfortunate, she comments, that former President Bill Clinton blurred the law with his "Don't Ask, Don't Tell" policy -- a policy that Soulforce says is "rooted firmly in religion-based bigotry."

(-Nothing like defining people themselves as sexual acts to show that your not a religious bigot.)

In contrast:
MSNBC July 06: Decorated soldier ‘outed’ by anonymous e-mail never admitted to charges (http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/14052513/)

An eight-month Army investigation culminated in Copas’ honorable discharge on Jan. 30 — less than four years after he enlisted, he said, out of a post-Sept. 11 sense of duty to his country.

More than 11,000 service members have been dismissed under the policy...nearly 800 dismissed gay or lesbian service members had critical abilities, including 300 with important language skills. 55 were proficient in Arabic, including Copas...Discharging and replacing them has cost the Pentagon nearly $369 million.

The Daily Show recently did a piece on Bleu Copas, the guy in the article above. (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gXEqcQSTMfU) :rofl:

[Jamie McDaniel]

The Daily Show: DADT, Paul Cameron, and Gays in the Military (http://time.blogs.com/daily_dish/2006/09/youtube_of_the__15.html)

Some of Cameron's quotes:

“If Bleu were in the midst of translating and a reasonably attractive man were, say, in the vicinity, it might distract him.”

“There are physical risks to straight soldiers if there is a gay in the unit. One of them is he might be raped. He will be maybe very very deep in sleep and then he awakes to find some guy either playing with him, felating him, or perhaps trying to intromits his rectum with a penis.”

[jlgosnell]

At 10am it was starting out as a very calm day with the execption of the local police department waiting on the otherside of the street from the recruitment station, some in patrole cars, some on motorcycles, 3 on bicycles, as if there were waiting for their chance to arrest us, the protestors. After the Marine recruiter had the local police cite a fellow supporter with a written warning for refusal to leave the building we were forced to take our sit-in to the outside. Quickly the time became 1pm when a Navy Recruiter decided to show up in which Esther Mead was allowed to begin the application processes. Of course once she let it be known she was an openly gay woman she was then rejected in a manner of speaking.

It was now that we chose to sit-in the floor of the Naval Office and shortly later arrested. Eight of us myself included were shipped off to the county detention center to remain until 10pm that night leaving giving us six hours to think about what we had just done and the implications of said actions.

My mother's only comment was (Now you have a record), as was my father who even though he served in the military and is gay still replied with the same comment as my mother and with that in mind I began to pounder if maybe I had done the right thing. I must say after thinking about my actions regardless of the media attention I truely say it was well worth the effort and would I be arrested again, and again. I guess sometimes for things to change one must cause a enough noise and chaos and then the powers that be will say wait maybe there right.

So would I do it again?... You Bet You Sweet Bippy I Would.

KARK (NBC) Little Rock, Arkansas News Footage (http://www.fearlessfriday.com/kark/military.wmv)

[JinianVictoria]

Hi. This one hits close to home. I served 26 years in the military...dont ask dont tell...is a SICK joke! I, personally knew of several LGBT personnel in service. We were officer and enlisted. I was what was called a senior petty officer. The very idea of sex when the fecal matter hit the rotating oscillator was assine to say the least. The fact I was preop at the time was irrelveant. I was 'Doc" and the Marines I was with expected and got my best efforts at keeping them alive. To deny ANY LGBT the right to serve is ridiculous! We join to SERVE OUR COUNTRY...trolling for sex partners is not even on the radar let alone practiced. Give me a break!! If these individuals asking and being refused the right to join the military need our help then we should give it! This whole imbroglio is something drummed up for political gain by some one seeking to portray themselves as more patriotic than thou. Or some ludicrous attempt by the religious zealots to inflict their Nearanderthal views on the country. During WW2 and all wars for that matter...sexual preference was never an iissue..all that was needed was being able to walk, talk and chew bubble gum. There were LGBT then in the service and no one objected.....if you could pull a trigger you were in. Bottom line....this fight for entry into service by LGBT is long overdue and should be fought to the end. Other countries have US IN THE SERVICE AND TO THE BEST OF MY KNOWLEDGE THERE HAS BEEN NO DEGRADATION OF THEIR MILITARY CAPABILITY. Sorry for the shouting and the rant but this is a very sore subject for me and does hit close to home. JinianVictoriaH

[jlgosnell]

This is a youtube video created by an individual who was documenting the events as they transpired on the day Conway, Arkasnas LGBT & Allies took to the street to protest the Don't Ask, Don't Tell policy.


Youtube Soulforce, Conway, Arkansas DADT VIDEO (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tbHbopwStA8)

[AnIndividual]

Hello all. First post here. Things to know about me:

1. I'm not a troll, not looking to incite a riot, just looking for some understanding.

2. I'm in the military

3. I'm straight.

I heard about the "right to serve campaign" on TV.

What I don't understand, is why is there such a need for everyone to know that you are gay/homosexual.

Why make an issue of it. If you want to serve, walk in and fill out the paperwork and be done with it.

Where is the injustice in "don't ask, don't tell"? I have had gay shipmates. I didn't think any less of them because of it.

Why is there always a neccesity for people to know your sexual preference?

Is nothing private anymore?

Is it not enough to serve your country, which you want to do, but you also have to make a scene so that everyone knows your gay. Believe me, when you get into the military, you won't be able to push the rules. They are rules, and that is that. They're not your mother or father, who you could twist and manipulate, and eventually get your way.

If you know you want to serve, then follow the rules, even the ones that you don't like. Since you'll have to do that in the military anyhow.


I'm not opposed to gay/homosexuals serving in the military with me, that's not it at all.

I just know that sometimes you have to play the game. So it's frustrating to me to see those who want to serve, can't. Because they want to try to manipulate the game for a self serving reason, so the world knows that they are gay/homosexual.


If you want to serve with me, great, come serve. Just sign the damn papers the way they want you to, and be done with it already.


Be mad and flame me if it makes you feel better. OR explain to me some of what I've attempted to ask in a politically correct fashion.

[Jamie McDaniel]

...flame me if it makes you feel better.

While some of us gay guys here might be a bit flaming, I don't think either the female or male members will flame you. Let's start out with the good part:

I'm not opposed to gay/homosexuals serving in the military with me, that's not it at all.

This tells me you are ok serving with gay and lesbian people. That's good because 1) It is right, and 2) You very likely already serve closely with them anyhow.

Why is there always a neccesity for people to know your sexual preference?

Is nothing private anymore?

Here is where the misunderstanding is. Heterosexuals have never felt the need to keep their sexual orientation private. In fact, I once decided to pay close attention to the number of times my co-workers made public their sexual orientation. When my boss made reference to his wife, their children together, talking about his wife's mother-in-law, saying that a certain female actress was hot, pictures on his desk, discussing afterwork plans for valentines day, etc. None of that involved inappropriate details (with the possible exception of the actress he thought was hot.) The point is, he, like all other heterosexuals, feel comfortable sharing that information. And rightly so.

Yet for homosexuals, we are asked to live our lives in a closet. Don't do anything, don't say anything, that would reveal sexual orientation. Better still, give the impression that one is heterosexual when one knows that is not the case. We can't do it. Not forever and certainly not with integrity.

A friend of mine named Dotti tells the story of how she once scheduled a dinner at a restaurant and invited several of her gay friends and also her heterosexual friend Jerry and his wife of many years. Jerry and his wife arrived late and took their seats. Before they could introduce themselves, Dotti introduced them as Jerry and (wife's name), purposely neglecting to state their relationship. This omission was quite obvious to both Jerry and his wife. Finally, after several minutes had passed, Dotti leaned over and whispered to them, "Jerry, I'm sorry, I was going to introduce your wife, but really, you know, I figured it was nobody's business what you two did in the bedroom."

At that moment, Jerry and his wife understood why homosexual people get upset when our relationships are defined by what we do in the bedroom.

[Jennifer5]

AnIndividual, Thank you for stating your questions in a way that allows us to talk about them, and not just get defensive.

My feeling is that this campaign is not trying to tell everyone that they are gay or lesbian, they are just saying I would like to serve as a complete equal. When asked, "Are you married?", by a friend, they would like ot be able to tell the truth without the risk of getting kicked out.

On many levels I would agree with you, that if you want to serve just do it.... and for some people that's perfectly fine. But others can't live their life that way, they can't just go day to day getting a call from their boyfriend/girlfriend, and having to say see you soon rather than saying I love you before hanging up... or having to tell people that it was their brother/sister to explain why they just said I love you. To some people this isn't a big deal, but to others it's a feeling that they just can't stand.

So I have to ask,
Do you think that you would be feel ok about never mentioning a boyfriend/girlfriend/husband/wife? Would it hurt you to have to lie to people after saying "I love you" to that special someone?

I know it's really easy to say "No that wouldn't bother me at all." but please take a minute to actually think about it before you answer.



Thank you again so much to asking this in a way that we can talk about it, and please let us know what you think and let us know if you have anymore questions. I encourage you to stick around and post some more.:)