DNC's OFA finally publishes a gay email - about DADT - but it's only a fundraiser

We've been complaining for a while that the DNC's Organizing for America doesn't ever send out email alerts about "the gay." Well, they did today - kind of. It's not really an alert - instead it's a "petition," that's really a fundraiser for... OFA and the DNC!

Nowhere in the DADT email, that talks about how close we are to getting repeal, and how OFA needs YOUR HELP to get it done - nowhere in that email does OFA actually ask you to do anything that will move us closer towards repeal. They simply want your email address, and then a contribution.

But let's let bygones be bygones. If the DNC's OFA is now all pro-gay, and wanting to help us pass DADT in the Senate, and then ensure that the Pentagon doesn't screw us next year, I'm sure we'll be seeing an OFA action alert targeting specific Senators once the defense bill comes up on the Senate floor in a few weeks.

Stay tuned. Because the Senate debate is right before the Stonewall anniversary. And I think a lot of people are going to be hopping mad if the DNC is now using DADT as a fundraising opportunity - when it hasn't even been repealed yet - and all the while while pretending that they're actually helping to pass the bill, when they're not.

From: Mitch Stewart, BarackObama.com
Subject: "Don't Ask, Don't Tell"

Friend --

This is big news: Yesterday, the full House of Representatives and the Armed Services Committee in the Senate voted to repeal "Don't Ask, Don't Tell."

In his State of the Union address, President Obama pledged to end the law that denies gays and lesbians the right to serve their country. Now, we are closer than ever to making good on that promise.

The full Senate will soon start its debate on repeal. But some Republicans are digging in their heels. Senator John McCain said, "I'll do everything in my power" to block a vote. And Mississippi Senator Roger Wicker called the repeal bill "a major mistake" -- announcing that the GOP plans to filibuster.

We can defeat those who'd stand in the way of history. But we must show our senators that Americans -- in every state -- overwhelmingly support repeal.

Stand with the President and join the pledge to end "Don't Ask, Don't Tell."



From the Recovery Act to health reform to Wall Street reform, one by one President Obama is delivering on his campaign promises. And, now -- if we can overcome Republican obstruction -- we have a chance to deliver on another: bringing "Don't Ask, Don't Tell" to an end.

As the President has said, this is about more than just living up to his word. We must end this law because "it's the right thing to do."

Any policy that punishes brave men and women who step forward to serve their country simply for being who they are isn't just misguided -- it's discrimination.

That's why President Obama didn't just campaign on ending "Don't Ask, Don't Tell"; he made it a priority. And it's why it's now a matter of how and when -- not if -- we will repeal this law.

But as the Republicans prepare to block a vote on this historic legislation, we must do all we can to help deliver on the President's promise.

Add your name to the pledge today -- and then please pass it on:

http://my.barackobama.com/DADTRepeal

Thanks,

Mitch

Mitch Stewart
Director
Organizing for America

Where was Mitch when we were trying to pass the bill in the House, and in the Senate committee? Read More...

White House issues memo on fed. benefits for same-sex couples including hardship transfers and relocation expenses

The White House just sent out a Presidential memorandum "regarding the extension of benefits to same-sex domestic partners of federal employees." You'll recall that last June, in the wake of the DOMA brief controversy, Obama vowed to expand some benefits for federal employees. At the time, as John reported,

The White House actually admitted to the NYT that they were offering the benefits to help contain the "growing furor among gay rights groups."

Today's memo explains which benefits those are. (Hint: Don't get too excited. Health benefits still aren't included, but we're glad the furor we created help some federal employees get some benefits.)

DOMA still prevents the granting of full benefits (and the Obama administration continues to defend DOMA in the courts.) Here's the statement issued in conjunction with the memo:

“Last year, I issued a Presidential Memorandum that instructed the Office of Personnel Management and the Secretary of State to extend certain available benefits they had identified to gay & lesbian federal employees and their families under their respective jurisdictions. Among those benefits were long-term care insurance and expanded sick leave for civil service employees and medical care abroad, eligibility for employment at posts, cost-of-living adjustments abroad and medical evacuation for domestic partners of foreign service members. In that same Memorandum, I called upon the federal agencies to undertake a comprehensive review and to identify any additional benefits that could be extended to the same-sex domestic partners of Federal employees under existing law. That process has now concluded, and I am proud to announce that earlier today, I signed a Memorandum that requires Executive agencies to take immediate action to extend to the same-sex domestic partners of Federal employees a number of meaningful benefits, from family assistance services to hardship transfers to relocation expenses. It also requires agencies that extend any new benefits to employees’ opposite-sex spouses to make those benefits available on equal terms to employees’ same-sex domestic partners to the extent permitted by law.

While this Memorandum is an important step on the path to equality, my Administration continues to be prevented by existing Federal law from providing same-sex domestic partners with the full range of benefits enjoyed by heterosexual married couples. That is why, today, I renew my call for swift passage of an important piece of legislation pending in both Houses of Congress—the Domestic Partnership Benefits and Obligations Act. This legislation, championed by Senators Joe Lieberman and Susan Collins and Congresswoman Tammy Baldwin, would extend to the same-sex domestic partners of Federal employees the full range of benefits currently enjoyed by Federal employees’ opposite-sex spouses. I look forward to signing it into law.”

We look forward to you signing the repeal of DOMA into law so that all of our families, not just those of federal employees, have access to the full range of federally protected benefits.

Here's the full memo:
Pres. memo on same-sex benefits for fed. employees Read More...

The Path to DADT repeal still faces roadblocks, pitfalls and killer amendments

SLDN just sent out a document titled, "The Path Forward on the Repeal of “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell.” As we all know, the legislation that moved forward last week was already a compromise. And, no one can answer the very basic question: "When will the discharges stop?" Even with this compromise, we're a long way from that happening.

The compromise bill still faces a number of hurdles as it moves forward. The Senate is a snake pit for any progressive legislation. There's always a chance that the GOPers will filibuster the Defense authorization bill. I asked SLDN's Aubrey Sarvis, who is an Army veteran, what his immediate concerns are:

Our priority is making sure we have the 60 votes in the Senate to stop any filibuster of the bill. We also will need to fight back on any motion to strike or crippling amendments our opponents may use. To do this, we’ll need the community’s help as we approach the Senate vote.

So, the opponents of repeal have a lot of procedural tricks available in the Senate. It seems like an immediate threat is from a "crippling" amendment, like the one described here:

For instance, we will vigorously oppose any amendment to expand the certification process in the “compromise." Opponents of open service may be considering an amendment that would require all of the Joints Chiefs to sign off on the certification process. This killer amendment is designed to delay open service for years.

That amendment would add four more players to the three (President, Secretary of Defense and Chair of Joint Chiefs) who already have to sign off. It would further dilute the power of the President -- and all six of the others actually work for the President. We're going to have to keep an eye on this one. It's just the kind of cleverly worded amendment that could generate support from Senators. In reality, it's a poison pill designed to insure that the discharges never end.

The full document is after the break. Definitely a must read for anyone following this issue.

Here's SLDN's document, "The Path Forward on the Repeal of “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell":

THE SENATE VOTE:

After the U.S. House of Representatives passed the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA), the U.S. Senate is now poised to take it up. An amendment that would allow for the repeal of “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell” was successfully attached to the NDAA in both the House and Senate.

Senate floor debate on the NDAA may begin as early as June 18, but it could come later.

SLDN and other repeal advocates will be working to shore up a filibuster proof majority, 60 Senate votes, to proceed to consideration of the NDAA. While this is traditionally a “must-pass” piece of legislation, the White House has threatened to veto the bill due to spending disagreements unrelated to the repeal of DADT.

Even with a filibuster proof 60-vote majority, SLDN and our repeal allies will be closely watching for any crippling amendments offered on the floor and a “motion to strike” that could allow repeal opponents to remove the repeal language from the defense bill.

SLDN is working closely with Senators Joseph Lieberman and Carl Levin to guard against any attempts to strike repeal or weaken its provisions.

For instance, we will vigorously oppose any amendment to expand the certification process in the “compromise." Opponents of open service may be considering an amendment that would require all of the Joints Chiefs to sign off on the certification process. This killer amendment is designed to delay open service for years.

CONFERENCE COMMITTEE:

After passage in the Senate, repeal advocates will focus on the conference committee where staff work would begin shortly thereafter. The committee will be tasked with resolving any differences in the House and Senate versions of the NDAA. At this time, the language in the repeal amendment for DADT is the same in both chambers – a good thing.

With similar amendment language in both chambers, there will be little to resolve. However, SLDN does not under estimate the “Big Four.” The “Big Four” are the chairs and ranking members in the House and Senate Armed Services Committees. Only one of the four supports repeal: Senate Chairman Carl Levin. The ranking member in the Senate, Sen. John McCain, and House Chairman Ike Skelton and ranking member Rep. Howard McKeon, do not.

· The conference committee will produce a conference report and we expect a vote in both the House and Senate chambers on that report in September or early October.

PRESIDENTIAL BILL SIGNING:

Generally, the NDAA is signed each year in late October or early November. When the president signs the NDAA – with the repeal amendment attached – nothing would happen. “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell” will still be the law. Service members will still be discharged. Read SLDN’s warnings: www.sldn.org/StillAtRisk.

THE PENTAGON WORKING GROUP REPORT:

On or before December 1, the Pentagon Working Group is required to submit its report to Congress and the Secretary of Defense. The working group was established to author a report on “how” to implement repeal, not “if” repeal should happen.

CERTIFICATION:

At some point after the Pentagon Working Group submits its report, the President would transmit to the congressional Armed Services Committees a written certification, signed by the President, the Secretary of Defense, and the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, stating each of the following:

(A) That the President, the Secretary of Defense, and the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff have considered the recommendations contained in the report and the report’s proposed plan of action.

(B) That the Department of Defense has prepared the necessary policies and regulations to exercise the discretion provided by the amendments made by subsection (f).

(C) That the implementation of necessary policies and regulations pursuant to the discretion provided by the amendments made by subsection (f) is consistent with the standards of military readiness, military effectiveness, unit cohesion, and recruiting and retention of the Armed Forces.

“Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell” will still be the law at this point. Service members will still be discharged. Read SLDN’s warnings: www.sldn.org/StillAtRisk.

REPEAL EFFECTIVE 60-DAYS AFTER TRANSMITTAL:

After the President transmits written certification to the congressional Armed Services Committees, full repeal of “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell” would be effective 60 days later.

OPEN SERVICE:

Repealing “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell” would NOT automatically allow for “open service.” Policies and regulations to allow gays and lesbians to serve openly would need to be written and put in place. SLDN will also encourage the President to issue an executive order protecting service members from discrimination based on their actual or perceived sexual orientation.

Read More...

Ted Haggard to make 'groundbreaking announcement'

Drama queen. Read More...

A wedding for Jane Lynch

I don't write much celebrity type news, but I think Jane Lynch deserves a shout out. Congrats to Jane and her new wife, Lara:

It looks like Jane Lynch has something to be extra Gleeful about.

Although the actress hasn't made an official announcement, the Blue Heron restaurant in Sunderland, Mass., reports that Lynch, 49, married psychologist Lara Embry in a small ceremony on Memorial Day.

"There were no celebrities or recognizable faces there," restaurant co-owner Deborah Snow tells PEOPLE. "Lara’s daughter was there, along with close, close friends of the couple. It was small, warm, intimate and very sweet. You could feel the love and friendship amongst the group."

After Monday's ceremony, in which a friend of Lynch's thanked the State of Massachusetts for being welcoming to gay and lesbian couples, the newlyweds and their 19 guests enjoyed a reception featuring a four-piece jazz combo.

And, yes, I watch GLEE and love that Sue Sylvester. Read More...

48 States & DC support lawsuit against Phelps

Next fall, the Supreme Court will hear the case against the Phelps family, brought by Al Snyder, the father of a marine killed in Iraq whose funeral they protested. The Phelps are asserting their First Amendment rights, which is rich since they're so opposed to constitutional protections for all Americans. You may recall that Mr. Snyder was ordered to pay court costs after the Court of Appeals ruled against him.

Via Steve Rothaus, news that Attorneys General from almost every state in the nation support the father of the marine before the Supreme Court.

Forty-eight states and the District of Columbia have submitted a brief to the Supreme Court in support of a father who sued anti-gay protesters over their demonstration at the 2006 funeral of his son, a Marine killed in Iraq.

Only Virginia and Maine declined to sign the brief by the Kansas attorney general.

Albert Snyder sued over protests by the Kansas-based Westboro Baptist Church at his son's funeral in Maryland. The church, founded by Fred Phelps in 1955, pickets funerals because they believe war deaths are punishment for U.S. tolerance of homosexuality.

The Supreme Court has agreed to consider whether the protesters' message is protected by the First Amendment.

Virgnia's AG is the rapidly right-wing/homophobic Ken Cuccinelli. He probably supports the Phelps. Not sure why Maine's AG, Janet Mills, didn't sign.

I posted the Amicus brief here. Here's one of the three main arguments from the AGs:

this Court, as well as many lower courts, has recognized that targeted picketing — the Phelpses’ primary means of terrorizing mourners at a funeral — is a particularly intrusive and harassing form of speech.

People who terrorize are terrorists. That defines the Phelps.

The Snyder family's website includes this clarification in its FAQ:

Please note: no one has protested private funerals or military funerals throughout all of known, recorded history. If the U.S. Supreme Court decides that a victim has a remedy if harassed at a funeral, the practical consequence is that Fred Phelps and the approximately 70 members of his so-called Westboro Baptist Church can no longer harass grieving families. Nothing will have changed for the rest of us because they are the only ones that have chosen to do this.

Read More...