Tuesday, August 4, 2009

Soulforce Founder Rev. Dr. Mel White Endorses Petition to Include LGBT People in Civil Rights Act

Soulforce Founder Rev. Dr. Mel White Endorses Petition to Include LGBT People in Civil Rights Act

The Rev. Dr. Mel White, the best-selling author of Stranger at the Gate: To be Gay and Christian in America, and founder of Soulforce, joined The Power, Congressman Jerrold Nadler, and other activists at the Stonewall Inn on June 29th, the 40th Anniversary of the Stonewall Riots, to launch the Power Petition. This is is statement.

blogging3

Here at Stonewall, we stand in the shadow of giants who refused to accept their second class citizenship. They would be outcasts no more! Now with their voices echoing in our hearts, we have come to take our stand as well. In a 1965 interview, Dr. King made it clear that it is far past time to liberate African Americans from their second class citizenship. These are his words. I’ve edited them simply to call for the liberation of LGBT Americans as well.

“Why do straight people find it so difficult to understand that LGBT Americans are sick and tired of having reluctantly parceled out to them those rights and privileges which all others receive upon birth or entry in America? We never cease to wonder at the amazing presumption of much of straight society, assuming that they have the right to bargain with LGBT Americans for their freedom. This continued arrogant ladling out of pieces of the rights of citizenship has begun to generate a growing discontent in the LGBT community. What LGBT Americans want is absolute and unqualified freedom and equality here in this land of our birth. LGBT Americans no longer will be tolerant of anything less than our due right and heritage. We are pursuing only that which we know is honorably ours.

“Most straight Americans support the struggle to eradicate injustice; nevertheless they feel that LGBT Americans should be more patient, that only the passage of time – perhaps generations – will bring about the sweeping changes we demand…

“We say, with Dr. King, that the time is always right to do what is right…Increasingly we realize that time has been used destructively by people of ill will much more than it has been used constructively by those of good will…We wonder at straight Americans who dare to feel that they have some paternalistic right to set the timetable for the liberation of LGBT Americans. We are often inclined to think that our moderate “friends” are more of a stumbling block to the progress of LGBT Americans than Pat Robertson, James Dobson and other leaders of the Christian right.”

We have a growing concern that our new President is listening to those same “moderates” who counsel that it is too early to take on ENDA or DOMA or Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell. These are difficult times, they whisper. LGBT Americans have waited this long. They are amazingly patient. They will understand if we ask them to wait a little longer.

We are here to say to our President and to members of the House and Senate that we do not understand. That we cannot “wait a little longer.” Our sisters and brothers have suffered injustice, intolerance and discrimination far too long: harassed, hunted down and hounded out of the military; denied employment and housing, refused the rights of marriage and ordination; left out of hate crime legislation all the while being primary victims of hate in all its vicious forms. We are second class citizens at best. Worse, we are outcasts in the nation we love and serve. (Page 353, Testament of Hope).

It is time to do what is right and including LGBT Americans in the Civil Rights Legislation of 1964 is right. We hope and pray that this time truth will prevail and justice will flow down like a mighty stream.

Monday, August 3, 2009

U.S. Vigils Planned For Tel Aviv Victims

Memorial vigils for the victims of the shooting at an LGBT center in Tel Aviv will take place around the U.S. this week.

San Francisco: Tonight. Monday, from 530-6 @ Congregation Sha'ar Zahav (16th/Dolores -- the largely LGBT Synagogue) and marching to the LGBT Center by 6:30 p.m. for a vigil (Market/Octavia). (Via SF Supervisor Bevan Dufty)

Washington DC: Tonight. Dupont Circle, 8:15pm - 9:15pm. Facebook page.

Los Angeles: Thursday. Location TBD. 7:00pm - 8:30pm. Facebook page.

I'll update this post with more details and locations as they come in.

Labels: , , , , , ,


thanks to JMG

Want Marriage Equality? Follow the Money


Want Marriage Equality? Follow the Money
Candace Chellew-Hodge

No matter what Welton Gaddy might hope, anti-gay religious groups are not interested in finding common ground on marriage equality - they need the conflict to fill their coffers.


Support Iraqi LGBT

Ali Hili sent a message to the members of SOS: Support Iraqi LGBT.

--------------------
Subject: Iraqi officer 'behind bank heist'

http://www.facebook.com/l/;news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/middle_east/8180046.stm

An Iraqi army captain, possibly helped by presidential bodyguards, is believed to have been behind a major bank robbery in Baghdad, officials say.

Tuesday's robbery, in which eight people were killed and millions of dollars stolen, was among the biggest in Baghdad's history.

The money has since been recovered from inside a government compound in the city centre.

Two people have been arrested but another is still at large, police say.

A tip-off on Friday led police to the compound, close to the bank where the robbery took place in the district of Karrada.

Police believe that presidential bodyguards may have been involved in the robbery, which netted about $7m (£4m) worth of Iraqi dinars.

The BBC's Natalia Antelava in Baghdad says this theory matches a widespread suspicion that the robbers had some inside help.

The gunmen stormed the bank at dawn just after it had received a large transfer of cash.

They got through five heavily armed checkpoints and no doors or windows were broken.

They then fired at security guards before using dynamite to open the vault where the money was kept.

Security officials say there are links between the armed insurgency and organised crime in Iraq, but our correspondent says that the alleged involvement of the presidential bodyguards shows that law enforcement agencies could also be part of the problem.

A few months ago, Iraq's own anti-corruption agency said the police and army were among the country's most corrupt institutions.
--------------------

To reply to this message, follow the link below:
http://www.facebook.com/n/?inbox/readmessage.php&t=1137661655407&mid=e0a1e2G2c4faed8G22f508cG0

Amsterdam's Mayor Weds NY Couples To Send Message To U.S.


Yesterday the mayor of Amsterdam married five bi-national couples on a gay Pride party boat to send a message to the United States about marriage equality and immigration reform.
The mayor of Amsterdam married five American-Dutch gay couples on Saturday in an implicit criticism of the lack of same-sex marriage in many U.S. states. Tens of thousands of spectators cheered as Mayor Job Cohen performed the ceremony on a cruise around the city's canals to celebrate the high point of the city's gay pride festival. Eight years ago Cohen presided over the first legal Dutch gay marriage. All five couples had at least one partner from New York, where a battle over the legalization of gay marriage rages on.

"For me it's a message to New York, the most liberal state, the most hip state, to get with it," said Ira Siff, an opera professional from New York who was about to marry his partner, opera singer Hans Heijnis. The New York-Amsterdam connection is much in the news this year, with the cities celebrating a 400-year relationship in 2009. Cohen called the couples a "figurehead" for that bond. "Your transatlantic love is proof of the lasting connection between old and new Amsterdam," Cohen said in the service.
Very nice.

posted by JMG

Sunday, August 2, 2009

Let Scientists Speak Out

Dear Friends,

I have just read and signed the petition: "Let Scientists Speak Out".

Please take a moment to read about this important issue, and join me in signing the petition. It takes just 30 seconds, but can truly make a difference. We are trying to reach 15000 signatures - please sign here: http://www.thepetitionsite.com/takeaction/829157125

Once you have signed, you can help even more by asking your friends and family to sign as well.

Thank you! Daniel

Saturday, August 1, 2009

Bilerico Weekly Reader 7/26-7/31

Bil Browning sent a message to the members of The Bilerico Project.

--------------------
Subject: Bilerico Weekly Reader 7/26-7/31

You know, these Weekly Reader posts are one of my favorite posts to do each week; I get a chance to go back over the previous week's posts and see how the discussions continued once the post has fallen off the front page. This week we had three clear winners for the best posts of the week: Karen Ocamb's three part series on "What Really Happened at the Repeal Prop 8 Leadership Summit" (links in the Bonus section)

Bilerico Nation
What Does an Inclusive ENDA Really Mean?
Filed by: Keri Renault (Bilerico-DC)
http://www.facebook.com/l/;dc.bilerico.com/2009/07/what_does_an_inclusive_enda_really_mean.php

Under White House Pressure, Hastings Withdraws DADT Amendment
Filed by: Father Tony (Bilerico-Florida)
http://www.facebook.com/l/;florida.bilerico.com/2009/07/under_white_house_pressure_hastings_with.php

Out of the Minneapolis airport and into the Mainstream Media
Filed by: Don Sherfick (Bilerico-Indiana)
http://www.facebook.com/l/;indiana.bilerico.com/2009/07/out_of_the_minneapolis_airport_and_into.php

Sunday
Let's Call it a "Queer Quilt Across America"
Filed by: John Shields
http://www.facebook.com/l/;www.bilerico.com/2009/07/queer_quilt_across_america.php

Nurse Jackie
Filed by: Dana Rudolph
http://www.facebook.com/l/;www.bilerico.com/2009/07/nurse_jackie.php

Monday
Gay Generation Gap: Two Sides of the Same Coin
Filed by: Jason Tseng
http://www.facebook.com/l/;www.bilerico.com/2009/07/gay_generation_gap_two_sides_of_the_same_coin.php

Mental: Prime time goes trans-friendly
Filed by: Bil Browning
http://www.facebook.com/l/;www.bilerico.com/2009/07/prime_time_goes_trans-friendly.php

Tuesday
Federal civil unions?
Filed by: Alex Blaze
http://www.facebook.com/l/;www.bilerico.com/2009/07/federal_civil_unions_is_anyone_talking_about_that.php

Caption This: Gays Gone Wild
Filed by: Waymon Hudson
http://www.facebook.com/l/;www.bilerico.com/2009/07/caption_this_gays_gone_wild.php

Wednesday
Anti-Gay Bombing at World Outgames
Filed by: Patricia Nell Warren
http://www.facebook.com/l/;www.bilerico.com/2009/07/anti-gay_violence_at_world_outgames_in_copenhagen.php

Lifting the Veil off Mental Health: The Art of Negotiation
Filed by: David Castillo
http://www.facebook.com/l/;www.bilerico.com/2009/07/lifting_the_veil_off_mental_health_the_art_of_nego.php

Thursday
David: A Story of Hope, Faith and Love
Filed by: Betty Greene Salwak
http://www.facebook.com/l/;www.bilerico.com/2009/07/david_a_story_of_hope_faith_and_love.php

DADT and the Democratic finger trap
Filed by: Sean Bugg
http://www.facebook.com/l/;www.bilerico.com/2009/07/dadt_and_the_democratic_finger_trap.php

Friday
Teach What You Learn: The Straight Guy's Primer on Gender Identity
Filed by: Don Davis
http://www.facebook.com/l/;www.bilerico.com/2009/07/the_straight_guys_primer_on_gender_identity.php

Here Come the Eye-Rollers: Milk, King Honored by Obama
Filed by: Dustin Kight
http://www.facebook.com/l/;www.bilerico.com/2009/07/here_come_the_eye-rollers_milk_king_honored_by_oba.php

BONUS!
What Really Happened at the Repeal Prop 8 Leadership Summit
Filed by: Karen Ocamb
http://www.facebook.com/l/;www.bilerico.com/2009/07/what_really_happened_at_the_repeal_prop_8_leadersh.php

Repeal Prop 8 Leadership Summit: The Expert Point of View
Filed by: Karen Ocamb
http://www.facebook.com/l/;www.bilerico.com/2009/07/repeal_prop_8_leadership_summit_the_expert_point_o.php

The Unnoticed Power Player at the Repeal Prop 8 Leadership Summit
Filed by: Karen Ocamb
http://www.facebook.com/l/;www.bilerico.com/2009/07/the_unnoticed_power_player.php
--------------------

To reply to this message, follow the link below:
http://www.facebook.com/n/?inbox/readmessage.php&t=1196008261422&mid=de6462G2c4faed8G22bf96bG0

Thursday, July 30, 2009

This from JMG!

The Victory Fund reports that Harvey Milk will be posthumously awarded the Presidential Medal Of Freedom, the highest civilian honor of the United States. Stuart Milk, Harvey's nephew, will accept the award at a White House ceremony to take place on August 12th.
“We are thrilled President Obama is honoring Harvey Milk with the Medal of Freedom. He’s an American hero and trailblazer whose election more than 30 years ago triggered a political awakening that inspires us still today. This recognition sends an important message about how critical political leadership will be in making all Americans equal in the eyes of the law,” said Chuck Wolfe, president and CEO of the Victory Fund.

Stuart Milk echoed Wolfe’s praise, saying, “The President’s action today touches the core of our very human hearts and my uncle would be so proud of this high honor. His election was, for him, a beginning–a chance to make real change. That change is happening, but we still have so far to go. I hope this recognition inspires LGBT Americans everywhere to heed Harvey’s call to run for office, to serve openly, to live proudly with authenticity and to demand the equality that we all deserve.”
Also receiving the Medal Of Freedom that day will be famed lesbian tennis player Billie Jean King and Sen. Ted Kennedy, both longtime advocates for LGBT rights.

UPDATE: The National Gay & Lesbian Task Force responds:
"Today's White House announcement of Medal of Freedom awards to the late Harvey Milk and to Billie Jean King honors two openly gay and lesbian people for their outstanding contributions to the nation. We applaud and cheer that Harvey Milk and Billie Jean King's dedication to freedom and equality for lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender people and for women and girls is at last being recognized with our country's highest civilian honor. Harvey Milk and Billie Jean King are trailblazers whose courage, commitment and perseverance have brought our country to a better place. How utterly appropriate that they will receive an award named the 'Medal of Freedom.'

"We also applaud the inclusion of Sen. Edward Kennedy, who has been a longtime advocate and leader in the U.S. Senate on a host of legislative initiatives pertaining to HIV/AIDS and LGBT equality; and of Archbishop Desmond Tutu and the Rev. Joseph Lowery, two faith leaders who have been outspoken on and supportive of LGBT issues. Each of these recipients has indeed made important contributions toward equality and justice."

Thanks JMG!

15 Billboards That Don’t Belong Next To Each Other

Thanks to JMG

Tres links, Duas no "World's Most Beautiful Language"


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fjlOeJa75S0&feature=related


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=t5xXjlfFSFE

and of course:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pcSO22THO70&NR=1




Tuesday, July 28, 2009

An vital news item from JMG

The Magic Of Blue

Urban legend says the green M&Ms make you horny, but there's something in the blue ones that really might prove useful.
The food dye that gives blue M&M's their colour can help mend spinal injuries, researchers say. The compound Brilliant Blue G blocks a chemical that kills healthy spinal cord cells around the damaged area - an event that often causes more irreversible damage than the original injury. BBG not only reduced the size of the lesion but also improved the recovery of motor skills, tests on rats showed. Those treated with BBG were later able to walk, although with a limp. Rats that did not receive the BBG solution never regained the ability to walk. On the downside, the treatment causes the skin to temporarily turn bright blue and BBG needs to be injected soon after the trauma. The test injections were given within 15 minutes.
Human trials will not begin until more animal testing has been done, but researchers say they are optimistic that acute spinal cord injuries could be treated with the compound within a few years.

Labels: ,

Friday, July 24, 2009

Bil Browning sent a message to the members of The Bilerico Project.

Subject: Bilerico Weekly Reader

One of the best parts of my job running the Bilerico sites is that I get to see so much great content before it's published. Usually I can spot a post that'll generate controversy or spur a big discussion. A couple of posts surprised me this week: Alex's post on the Larry King trial didn't get nearly the attention on TBP that it deserves (he was quoted in the Advocate for it) while Karen Ocamb's memories of working with Walter Cronkite should be required reading for any journalism fan. Be sure to check them out along with all the other fantastic posts we ran this week.

Bilerico Nation
South Bend Councilman Oliver Davis Responds to Bilerico-Indiana
Filed by: Donna Pandori (Bilerico-Indiana)
http://www.facebook.com/l/;http://indiana.bilerico.com/2009/07/south_bend_councilman_oliver_davis_respo.php

"I Would Not Have A Homosexual On My Staff"
Filed by: Father Tony (Bilerico-Florida)
http://www.facebook.com/l/;http://florida.bilerico.com/2009/07/i_would_not_have_a_homosexual_on_my_staf.php

Richmond Newspaper Regrets Role in Support of Segregation
Filed by: Michael Hamar (Bilerico-DC)
http://www.facebook.com/l/;http://dc.bilerico.com/2009/07/richmond_newspaper_regrets_role_in_suppo.php

Sunday
Are there any warriors in Charlotte?
Filed by: Matt Comer
http://www.facebook.com/l/;http://www.bilerico.com/2009/07/are_there_any_warriors_in_charlotte.php

Beary Fashionable: Wonde® by Walter Van Beirendonck
Filed by: Nathan Strang
http://www.facebook.com/l/;http://www.bilerico.com/2009/07/beary_fashionable_wonde_by_walter_van_beirendonck.php

Monday
Gay is not the new black
Filed by: Guest Blogger LZ Granderson
http://www.facebook.com/l/;http://www.bilerico.com/2009/07/gay_is_not_the_new_black_1.php

Health care in the U.S. - stop bickering and fix it
Filed by: Pam Spaulding
http://www.facebook.com/l/;http://www.bilerico.com/2009/07/health_care_in_the_us_-_stop_bickering_and_fix_it.php

Tuesday
(s)EXcapades: to hear or not to hear
Filed by: Michele O'Mara
http://www.facebook.com/l/;http://www.bilerico.com/2009/07/sexcapades_to_hear_or_not_to_hear.php

A Day in the Life of a Caretaker
Filed by: Sara Whitman
http://www.facebook.com/l/;http://www.bilerico.com/2009/07/a_day_in_the_life_of_a_caretaker.php

Wednesday
Living while Black in Cambridge
Filed by: Rev Irene Monroe
http://www.facebook.com/l/;http://www.bilerico.com/2009/07/living_while_black_in_cambridge.php

Meet the Anti-Gay NYU Professor of Human Rights: "Diversity is not a License for Perversity"
Filed by: Waymon Hudson
http://www.facebook.com/l/;http://www.bilerico.com/2009/07/meet_the_anti-gay_nyu_professor_of_human_rights_di.php

Thursday
Pumping Parties in the Heartland
Filed by: Austen Crowder
http://www.facebook.com/l/;http://www.bilerico.com/2009/07/pumping_parties_in_the_heartland.php

Barbara Walters on "Bruno": "I Don't Like Seeing Closeups of Anal Sex"
Filed by: Prince Gomolvilas
http://www.facebook.com/l/;http://www.bilerico.com/2009/07/barbara_walters_on_bruno_i_dont_like_seeing_closeu.php

Friday
AAA South Pledges Family Memberships to Same-Gender Spouses
Filed by: Nadine Smith
http://www.facebook.com/l/;http://www.bilerico.com/2009/07/aaa_south_pledges_family_memberships_to_same-gende.php

Wisconsin domestic partnership law under attack
Filed by: Nancy Polikoff
http://www.facebook.com/l/;http://www.bilerico.com/2009/07/wisconsin_domestic_partnership_law_under_attack.php

BONUS!
Walter Cronkite and the Player Piano
Filed by: Karen Ocamb
http://www.facebook.com/l/;http://www.bilerico.com/2009/07/walter_cronkite_and_the_player_piano.php

Calling Brandon "obsessed with Nazis" seems restrained now
Filed by: Alex Blaze
http://www.facebook.com/l/;http://www.bilerico.com/2009/07/calling_brandon_obsessed_with_nazis_seems_restrain.php
--------------------

Friday, July 17, 2009

Weekly Bilerico Reader

Subject: Weekly Bilerico Reader

When I crossposted the video of Michael's Steele's "fried chicken and potato salad" quip on Huff Po this week, the nation went nuts. The post's popularity led to double our normal traffic on Bilerico Project and we ended the week with another high note - word that Michael Savage's wife quit working for him over her gay-positive stance with Rockstar Energy Drink! Check out the best of this week's Bilerico sites:

Bilerico Nation
Where's My Gay Tennis Player?
Filed by: Sean Bugg (Bilerico-DC)
http://www.facebook.com/l/;http://dc.bilerico.com/2009/07/wheres_my_gay_tennis_player.php

"Well I'll be damned"
Filed by: Nadine Smith (Bilerico-Florida)
http://www.facebook.com/l/;http://florida.bilerico.com/2009/07/well_ill_be_damned.php

Young Republicans elect racist middle-aged woman President
Filed by: Bil Browning (Bilerico-Indiana)
http://www.facebook.com/l/;http://indiana.bilerico.com/2009/07/young_republicans_elect_racist_middle-ag.php

Sunday
Lifting the Veil off Mental Health: Life with a Bipolar Partner
Filed by: David Castillo
http://www.facebook.com/l/;http://www.bilerico.com/2009/07/lifting_the_veil_off_mental_health_life_with_a_bip.php

Fig Trees, Transliminal Criminals, and Other Plural Nouns: Dispatch from Outfest 2009
Filed by: Jessica Hoffmann
http://www.facebook.com/l/;http://www.bilerico.com/2009/07/fig_trees_transliminal_criminals_and_other_plural.php

Monday
Where is the Senate on ENDA?
Filed by: Dr. Jillian T. Weiss
http://www.facebook.com/l/;http://www.bilerico.com/2009/07/where_is_the_senate_on_enda_1.php

Judge Sotomayor for the Supreme Court
Filed by: Kate Kendell
http://www.facebook.com/l/;http://www.bilerico.com/2009/07/judge_sotomayor_for_the_supreme_court.php

Tuesday
A straight contributor to TBP?
Filed by: Bil Browning
http://www.facebook.com/l/;http://www.bilerico.com/2009/07/a_straight_contributor_to_tbp.php

Gay Republican cat-fight!
Filed by: Alex Blaze
http://www.facebook.com/l/;http://www.bilerico.com/2009/07/gay_republican_cat-fight.php

Wednesday
Florida Judge Who Struck Down Gay Adoption Ban Demoted
Filed by: Waymon Hudson
http://www.facebook.com/l/;http://www.bilerico.com/2009/07/florida_judge_who_struck_down_gay_adoption_ban_dem.php

The Politics of Comedy: What's Off Limits?; Plus, "The Goods" Wants You to Laugh at a Hate Crime
Filed by: Prince Gomolvilas
http://www.facebook.com/l/;http://www.bilerico.com/2009/07/bruno_and_the_politics_of_comedy_whats_off_limits.php

Thursday
First the Abortionists, Then the "Homosexuals": TheCall Declares War
Filed by: Patricia Nell Warren
http://www.facebook.com/l/;http://www.bilerico.com/2009/07/first_abortionists_now_homosexuals_the_call_declar.php

Where To Find Sex And Love
Filed by: Father Tony
http://www.facebook.com/l/;http://www.bilerico.com/2009/07/where_to_find_sex_and_love.php

Friday
Rockstar Energy Drink CFO breaks ties with Savage Productions
Filed by: Bil Browning
http://www.facebook.com/l/;http://www.bilerico.com/2009/07/rockstar_energy_drink_cfo_breaks_ties_with_savage.php

The F-22 v. The Matthew Shepard Hate Crimes Bill
Filed by: John Shields
http://www.facebook.com/l/;http://www.bilerico.com/2009/07/the_f-22_v_the_matthew_shepard_hate_crimes_bill.php

BONUS!
Steele: I'll Woo Blacks To GOP With "Fried Chicken And Potato Salad"
Filed by: Bil Browning
http://www.facebook.com/l/;http://www.bilerico.com/2009/07/steele_gop_woos_blacks_with_fried_chicken_and_pota.php

Thursday, July 16, 2009

Long-Sought Hate Crimes Measure added to Defense Bill

Democrats Add Long-Sought Hate Crimes Measure to Defense Bill

http://www.truthout.org/071609C?n

Halimah Abdullah, McClatchy Newspapers: "Just days after Arizona Sen. John McCain forged an unusual bipartisan alliance with the White House to cut $1.75 billion in increased spending for the F-22 jet fighter, congressional Democratic leaders on Wednesday added a hate-crimes measure to the must-pass bill."

Enjoy!

Monday, July 13, 2009

Workation Update

Having a grand time in Ouro Preto. I am doing some work for CEAD (Centro de Educação Aberta ea Distância) at the Universidade Federal de Ouro Preto here in Brasil. As well it is the Festival do Inverno which means a lot of plays, film and art... since it is Carmen Miranda's 100th birthday this year, I feel obliged to see all her films that are being shown... actually very fun.

Everywhere
here in a town that is a sculpture in itself. All this allows me to catch up on what is going on with my amigos and to walk about with my camera.

Life is good.

More details and pictures are at Notorious.

Wednesday, July 8, 2009

Homosexuality and Hinduism

Google News Alert for: "sri sri ravi shankar"
Homosexuality, Hinduism and Section 377
GlobalPost - USASri Sri Ravi Shankar (born 1956), founder of the international movement, Art of Living, when asked about homosexuality, stated, “Every individual has both ...

Tuesday, July 7, 2009

I've got some bad news.

Dear Daniel --

I've got some bad news.


After 10 years of service to our country -- including leading combat patrols, rebuilding schools and translating Arabic in Iraq for 15 months -- the Federal Recognition Board issued its recommendation on Tuesday that I be discharged from the Army for "moral and professional dereliction" under the military's "Don't Ask, Don't Tell" policy.

The board's decision to fire me is not the end. Now that this panel of four officers has recommended my discharge, it still must be approved by senior officials in the Army, a process that could take a few weeks to a year. Unless something unexpected happens, it may be just a matter of time before the Army officially fires me.

I will not give up, no matter the odds. Because I know that the only way we will win this fight to repeal "Don't Ask, Don't Tell" is by facing it head on. And I need your help again to keep up the fight.

I've made my case to President Obama -- supported by more than 140,000 of your signatures. I've made my case to the Army -- supported by more than 160,000 of your signatures. And I will continue to make my case until they fire me for good.

Now we need to make our case to House Speaker Nancy Pelosi. Will you join me in asking Speaker Pelosi to strongly support legislation currently in Congress that would repeal "Don't Ask, Don't Tell"? Please sign on to our letter and I'll personally deliver your signatures to the Speaker ASAP:


http://www.couragecampaign.org/RepealDADT

At West Point, I recited the Cadet Prayer every Sunday. It taught me to "choose the harder right over the easier wrong" and to "never be content with a half truth when the whole can be won." The Cadet Honor Code demanded truthfulness and honesty. It imposed a zero-tolerance policy against deception, or hiding behind comfort.

That's why I can't give up now. I've got to keep fighting. My fellow servicemembers -- and the 70 fellow West Point graduates who have also come out of the closet to join Knights Out, the organization I co-founded to push for repeal of "Don't Ask, Don't Tell" -- would expect nothing less.

The only way we can win this fight for the truth is if the political cost of discrimination eventually becomes too great for the system to operate successfully. We need to raise the political cost in Congress so that Speaker Nancy Pelosi understands that, as Supreme Court Justice Thurgood Marshall once said, "justice too long delayed is justice denied."

Speaker Pelosi needs to make "Don't Ask, Don't Tell" a priority now and come out strongly in support of legislative action to repeal this discriminatory law. Will you stand by my side now and sign our letter to the Speaker? You have my word that I will deliver your signatures to Speaker Pelosi personally:

http://www.couragecampaign.org/RepealDADT


As I said a few days ago, national security means many things, but the thing that makes us secure in our nation and homes is love. What makes me a better soldier, leader, Christian and human being is love. And I'm not going to hide my love.

Love is worth it.

Thank you for your support.

Daniel W. Choi
1LT, IN
New York Army National Guard