Hate crimes ammendment to the Defense Authorization Bill
 

So if you are a serviceperson, even if they DO ask, and you DO tell, they're still not allowed to beat the snot out of you.

EDIT: Or if they suspect, or if they don't like your maleness, or your femaleness.

Peace and Love, Bruce Chris

That's not how I read it. This admendment doesn't change anything for gays in the military. The military is still don't ask don't tell. You out yourself or get outed and don't deny it you get kicked out of the military.

We need Obama to do away with the failed Clinton policy of Don't Ask Don't Tell.

I never said that you wouldn't get kicked out, Obama still has to act on that.
 

But now, there is specific hate crime law for acts of violence or persecution.

EDIT: It is not clear to me at this point whether this amendment applies to all service personnel, or whether it was a federal hate crimes law, simply attached to a defense appropriations bill, to get it passed.

Bruce Chris

The Matthew Shepherd legislation was ATTACHED to the defense appropriation bill in order to prevent the Republicans from philabustering it. It doesn't affect the issue of whether glbt folk can serve openly in the military.