Yes, the house and senate did pass the bill that will eventually lead to repealing DADT contingent on Pentagon’s review, however Gay and Lesbian service members can still be discharged until then. Right now a Dignity Fast is happening….
According to Dan Choi’s Facebook page, he updates the following:
“Forces are mobilizing for non-violent direct action and civil disobedience in response to the Congressional markups (DADT repeal) and veterans are ready to spend Memorial Weekend in prison. Fasting will also commence. Our simple demands:
….Contingent on Pentagon Review. Since this bill to Repeal DADT is now passed, it now must go to review by the Pentagon before the repealing is implemented. So even though a ‘repeal’ has occurred in the House and the Senate, it still has a major hurdle through the Pentagon. Pentagon may be continue to ban Gays and Lesbians from serving openly.
This is good so far, but we still need a concrete positive conclusion post Pentagon review!
The heckler in SF was GetEqual’s Kip Williams, who was arrested after confronting President Obama at the Barbara Boxer event.
Kip Williams had this to say:
“President Obama’s response was disheartening. As the police detained and escorted me out of the room, he told the crowd that I don’t read the newspapers. Otherwise, he said, I would know that he’s been working with Congress to move on the issue very soon. But I do read the newspapers, and while it is imperative to pass this bill, it just doesn’t go far enough. As long as lesbian and gay servicemembers are being discharged, we still have a problem – and this bill doesn’t tell us if or when those discharges are going to stop.”
We cannot have a compromise for DADT, we need a repeal when the repeal IS that all soldiers must serve freely, openly, and equally.
The following is an excerpt from David Mixner’s website.
“I am hungry for full equality. For a hungry person some bread is better than no bread. However it is impossible to fully enjoy that meal if you have no idea if there is any more bread coming tomorrow. Living without freedom does strange things to a person; it changes them forever. Our decision makers should never forget that partial freedom is totally and completely unacceptable. We won’t rest until we have full equality and freedom. The desire for full equality doesn’t mean we aren’t pleased with steps toward progress. It simply means there is no such thing as a partially free person.
Wise and thoughtful minds are required now, not a lot of noise, patting on the backs, celebration and confetti. We can work for the best today while continuing the fight for tomorrow.”
With the 5 brave activists doing a sit-in in McCain’s office, we were propelled to the cell to call McCain’s office in Arizona. Marcos called and spoke with McCain’s assistant. The conversation consisted of why McCain should repeal DADT with the following points:
Marcos explained to his assistant that we firmly believe that it is wrong for soldiers to hide themselves when they are making the greatest sacrifice for our country.
Marcos clarified that the one of the most decorated battalions under General Eisenhower, in World War II, was 99% comprised of hard-working, Lesbian servicewomen.
Senator McCain should listen to his wife Cindy and daughter Megan more due to their vocal support of the LGBT community.
Unfortunately, later the 5 activists were arrested at his Arizona office. Watch below to see what took place.
We cannot have a compromise for DADT, we need a repeal when the repeal IS that all soldiers must serve freely, openly, and equally.
