We may have some initial, actual progress. The first DADT hearings in seventeen years will began today. Robert Gates declared "The question before us is not whether the military prepares to make this change, but how we ... best prepare for it. We have received our orders from the commander in chief and we are moving out accordingly."
Although Gates plans to establish a panel to study the issue, this could take a year or more. Unfortunately, when asked if the military would provide a moratorium on discharges, Gates responded poorly, "I'll get back to you on that."
Together, we will end Don't Ask, Don't Tell in 2010. There are 332 days left.
Jo and I encourage all of you to write, call, protest and pray.
A GREAT Message from SLDN:
Call the White House Switchboard
Call the White House switchboard at 202-456-1414 and tell the president to:
> Make good on his commitment to end "Don't Ask, Don't Tell" and include repeal in his defense budget
> Partner with Congress so that we can get repeal done in 2010
Example Script for Your Call
Hello, my name is __________ and I'm calling from __________ (city, state).
I'm calling to urge President Obama to keep his promise to end "Don't Ask, Don't Tell" and include repeal in his defense budget. This discrimination is wrong. Firing qualified service members simply because they're gay needs to stop in 2010. Thank you.
Movements for Change
Servicemembers Legal Defense Network
http://www.sldn.org/
Voices of Honor Campaign
HRC, Partnering with Servicemembers United on a National Tour to Repeal DADT
http://www.hrc.org/sites/voicesofhonor/index.asp
Campaign for Military Partners
Servicemembers United leads this initiative to reach out to, recognize, connect, and support the partners of active duty gay, lesbian, bisexual, and transgender military personnel
http://militarypartners.org/
SLDN
Don't Ask, Don't Tell Story Project
http://www.kirstengillibrand.com/dadtstoryproject.com/
Resource and Reality Check
http://dadtarchive.org/
Take a look at how many have been discharged for being who they are.
