DADT

COMMENTARY: Not cool, Secretary Hagel, not cool

I recognize that there are big items on the agenda for our Department of Defense and specifically, for Secretary Chuck Hagel. Budget cuts. An historic draw down of troops. Mounting concerns in Syria. So it's understandable why the Pentagon's leadership may have felt this week that a controversial pastor leading its Day of Prayer event was just not at the top of the list to receive its attention. But here's why it should have been.

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Lesbian soldier returns to military after DADT repeal

DENVER – More than 14,000 gay and lesbian troops were discharged under "Don't Ask, Don't Tell" and some are returning to service since the discriminatory policy has been repealed.

One of those soldiers is Luiza Fritz of Colorado, a 13-year Army veteran who was discharged under DADT after a commanding officer found her MySpace page was filled with pictures of Fritz and her partner.

Fritz told 9news.com in Denver:

Dan Choi avoids prison, fined $100 for White House protest

WASHINGTON — A gay West Point graduate discharged from the military for revealing his sexual orientation has been fined $100 in case resulting from his arrest during a 2010 White House demonstration.

A spokesman for the U.S. Attorney’s Office says Dan Choi was convicted and fined Thursday by a judge hearing his case.

Lt. Dan Choi on trial

When Lt. Dan Choi finishes up with his trial, which will take place on Thursday, March 28, in Washington, D.C., he and I are headed to Jeju Island, South Korea's own little island paradise. Dan needs some paradise right now. He is on trial for contesting and questioning Don't Ask Don't Tell, which was later repealed, yet now he has to go to court, and face some possibly harsh consequences, for speaking out against it years ago.

"What's right is right:" Widowed lesbian pushes for equal military benefits

When her spouse was killed in Afghanistan, Tracy Johnson drove across town to her mother-in-law’s house — clutching her marriage certificate — so she could hear the Army’s formal notification. No one from the military came to her door.

Rep. Susan Davis donates DADT-repeal material to Lambda Archives of San Diego

SAN DIEGO -- Congresswoman Susan Davis visited Lambda Archives of San Diego today and donated material from the "Don't Ask, Don't Tell" repeal effort.

Board president Maureen Steiner introduced several members of the board of directors, and provided a brief history of the organization. Head archivist Kelly Revak gave Davis a tour of the facilities, including the exhibit area, processing areas and archival collections.

Former gay and lesbian service members subject to discriminatory policy to get full separation pay

WASHINGTON – Former service members who are part of a class action lawsuit challenging a Defense Department policy that cuts in half the separation pay of those who have been honorably discharged for “homosexuality” will receive their full pay after a settlement announced today.

The American Civil Liberties Union and the ACLU of New Mexico had filed a class action lawsuit against the policy, which was not part of the "Don't Ask, Don't Tell" statute and so was not changed when that law was repealed.

Anti-gay pastor Scott Lively, Uganda human rights activists face off in federal court

SPRINGFIELD, Mass. – A federal judge heard arguments today in a case charging that homophobic pastor Scott Lively’s actions in anti-gay efforts in Uganda constitute persecution under U.S. and international law.

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COMMENTARY: What the White House did in 2012 for LGBT community

As we kick off 2013, we want to take a few moments to reflect upon the last year of progress towards dignity, justice, and equality for lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender (LGBT) people.  Feel free to share this email with your colleagues and networks, and please encourage them to sign up for updates!

Married lesbian named Academic Dean at UC Hastings

SAN FRANCISCO – Elizabeth L. Hillman, a respected scholar in military law and history who was part of the fight to overturn "Don't Ask, Don't Tell," has been appointed Academic Dean at the University of California Hastings College of the Law.

Effective July 1, 2012, Hillman will replace Shauna Marshall, who is retiring after eight years.

Hillman lives in Berkeley, Calif., with her wife Trish Culbert and their five children.

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