DADT repealed!!

[sokker]

You don't know how backwards the U.S. is.

I was wrong, lol.. gays were actually allowed to serve openly in 1979 That means USA is just 31 years behind my country! Congrats on this wonderful accomplishment!

 

[sokker]

Which country is that?

There are a lot of countries that are way, way ahead of us.

Norway.

We have gay marriage too, well, until we get a new conservative government which is bound to happen in the next election.

The society is still VERY conservative and VERY Christian, countries like Sweden, Denmark and Iceland are still WAY ahead of us when it comes to general attitudes towards LGBT people and LGBT issues..

 

[Rex]

WOooo! Who should I come out to first? lol

 

[Rex]

this calls for a celebration with some music and dancing bannanas.

Hey there is already an active thread on this in the politics forum? Should the mods merge them together?

 

[Rex]

LOL I did. I was just joking about that.

 

[Apollo]

LOL, you know, you're right. I apologise unreservedly and withdraw my remark. Let me extend my congratulations on what should be a day of celebration. I will add on a serious note, this is not a day to be grateful for merely getting equal treatment - the entitlement to that dignity was always there. However it's a great day to be proud of what has been accomplished over the opposition of petty bigots. And it sets the stage for future victories to come.

Sorry Apollo, and congrats to you all.

There was no need to apologize, although I wholefully accept it. It is a great day in history. Especially for me as I am in the military and this is pretty awesome. I'm not gonna have a coming out party anymore, but I might not deny it so much either

 

[metta]

I can't wait to see Dan Choi's reaction.

WHERE'S METTA!!! lol

Dan Choi's get well card was just sent to him.

I was out with friends..

Moments ago, the Senate voted to end "Don't Ask, Don't Tell."

When that bill reaches my desk, I will sign it, and this discriminatory law will be repealed.

Gay and lesbian service members -- brave Americans who enable our freedoms -- will no longer have to hide who they are.

The fight for civil rights, a struggle that continues, will no longer include this one.

This victory belongs to you. Without your commitment, the promise I made as a candidate would have remained just that.

Instead, you helped prove again that no one should underestimate this movement. Every phone call to a senator on the fence, every letter to the editor in a local paper, and every message in a congressional inbox makes it clear to those who would stand in the way of justice: We will not quit.

This victory also belongs to Senator Harry Reid, Speaker Nancy Pelosi, and our many allies in Congress who refused to let politics get in the way of what was right.

Like you, they never gave up, and I want them to know how grateful we are for that commitment.

Will you join me in thanking them by adding your name to Organizing for America's letter?

I will make sure these messages are delivered -- you can also add a comment about what the repeal of "Don't Ask, Don't Tell" means to you.

As Commander in Chief, I fought to repeal "Don't Ask, Don't Tell" because it weakens our national security and military readiness. It violates the fundamental American principles of equality and fairness.

But this victory is also personal.

I will never know what it feels like to be discriminated against because of my sexual orientation.

But I know my story would not be possible without the sacrifice and struggle of those who came before me -- many I will never meet, and can never thank.

I know this repeal is a crucial step for civil rights, and that it strengthens our military and national security. I know it is the right thing to do.

But the rightness of our cause does not guarantee success, and today, celebration of this historic step forward is tempered by the defeat of another -- the DREAM Act. I am incredibly disappointed that a minority of senators refused to move forward on this important, commonsense reform that most Americans understand is the right thing for our country. On this issue, our work must continue.

Today, I'm proud that we took these fights on.

Please join me in thanking those in Congress who helped make "Don't Ask, Don't Tell" repeal possible:

http://my.barackobama.com/Repealed



Thank you,

Barack

 

[andy12]

Yay! Gays can openly and proudly aid in the killing of brown people! Truly a celebration.

 

[metta]

With DOMA, Obstacles Remain for Gay Soliders


http://www.theatlantic.com/national...doma-obstacles-remain-for-gay-soliders/68240/

 

[Kyanimal]

This from Judy Shepard and The Matthew Shepard Foundation:

Having trouble viewing this email? View as a web page.

​

December 18, 2010​

Senate Vote on Gay Military Service Honors Nation’s Principles​

“Dennis and I and the Matthew Shepard Foundation join millions of Americans in and out of uniform today in applauding the United States Senate. It took truly principled action in finally ending the military’s obsolete and discriminatory ban on gay service members serving their country in the military.

“Wearing our country’s uniform and serving its missions at home and abroad is and always has been one of the most honorable and patriotic callings. It should have never been closed off to any Americans just because of their sexual orientation. A majority of Americans agree and it has frustrated so many of us for a long time.

“Those of us who are passionate about living in a country where we are all truly equal have been frustrated and disappointed in our political leaders over this policy for far too long. We have watched with confusion and dismay in the last few years as we seemed to get closer, but never to the finish line, in the efforts toward repeal. But progress was clearly being made, as the Senate vote showed Saturday.

“All of us who are allies for equality owe a lot of thanks to a lot of people today. The hundreds of thousands of military personnel and family members who supported repeal of the ban in the Pentagon survey deserve our appreciation, as do their top officers who led the study. The President, who was criticized for insisting that action come from the people’s elected representatives, and not through controversial and unilateral executive action or the courts, showed wisdom and patience as well. The House of Representatives deserves praise for being so nimble in passing a stand-alone bill when the last measure failed in the Senate, too.

“It’s also especially important that supporters of the ban being repealed thank the senators who cast the right vote. Not only were the Democrats and independents nearly unanimous in voting for repeal, but several Republican Senators broke with the rest of their party to do the right thing as well. If you are represented by any of these people, please take a moment out of your weekend to send them a note of thanks. They will appreciate hearing from you, and it will help the next time that legislation affecting equality is on the line.

“There is always more work to do. Military members’ same-sex partners may still not receive the same support for relocation or survivors’ benefits, for instance, if marriage equality is not resolved in the future as well. But allowing all of our people to serve without fear of prosecution, dishonorable discharge or persecution is a start toward living in the America we deserve to live in.”

Judy Shepard
President, Board of Directors, Matthew Shepard Foundation

Please visit our website at www.MatthewShepard.org.​

And, yes, there is still much work to do with ENDA, DOMA, etc.

Which brings to mind that Mark is still matching contributions to The Matthew Shepard Foundation until Dec. 31.

I'm still matching as long as I possibly can. I will probably need this to end around Dec 31st though. __________________
Please donate - JUB Matches Donations to Matthew Shepard Foundation.

SO, while we're celebrating THIS Victory, how about throwing in a buck, or two, to continue the fight?

Keep smilin'!!
Chaz

 

[Iamthegame]

I' sorry I'm glad it got passed but when get when have all of our rights that all straight people have, like marriage. I know in certain states, including mine, you can get married but it's not federal yet. I'm someday I liked to have equal ground with straight people like it should be.

 

[Speeds]

This is wonderful news. So happy and overjoyed!

 

[evanrick]

What is ironic and very subtle about the politics of this is that a republican house paved the way to repeal.

If democrats had retained both houses, I'm not so sure the repeal would be a sure thing since the GOP was basically using DADT against democrats. That weapon is gone now, because of the elections.

Now the GOP controls the house, they (the senate) really don't care if the repeal passes, since some of them are retiring and know there's no way this bill could have passed without a democrat controlled house, or they would never again have a chance to vote for it.

Those in the Senate who are facing re-election, the moderates like Snow, Collins, etc know that without their vote their re-elections would be much much less certain.

That's why they (senate republicans) were so eager to vote on it now, while democrats are still in power, than have a GOP house kill the bill.

Of course im sure nearly 100% of the democrats in the senate were not so torn as to what their principles are.

 

[CGHJ]

Wow, I am amazed.

When I joined, they had just passed DODT, and for as much flack as that got, it meant that I didn't have to lie in my entrance papers. It had just happened, too, so the question was still on the sheet, and the recruiter made it a point of mentioning that he couldn't ask that question anymore and it was literally crossed out.

Wow, is all I can say...hope it all works out.

 

[Rex]

DADT really made no sense. It was supposed to be a law where you couldn't ask anyone's sexual orientation and they couldn't tell you what their sexual orientation was but anyone who was straight didn't have to hide the fact they were.

I wonder how many months it will actually take to where the law is officially done with and I'm curious to hear the breifings we will be getting on it once it's in effect. Should be interesting.

 

[Rex]

Now more gays can openly serve in the killing of innocent life around the world and intervene in political situations that are none of our business.

Yay.

Oh shut up. This is supposed to be a positive thread. Don't ruin it.

 

[Ninja108]

Like I said, truly a historical day. To the Republician bigots that will come in next term... UP YOURS!

 

[G-Lexington]

I'm celebrating the only way I onow how - by jerking off to military-themed gay porn.

Lex

 

[G-Lexington]

I can't wait until gay marriage is legalized, at which point we can give a disaffected ironic cheer for the gays trying to force themselves and the rest of us into a heteronormist outdated institution.

Yay.

Lex

 

[andy12]

Yay for missing the point of why people are actually happy about this.

Equality that comes at the cost of joining in the oppression of others is not equality.