www. outserve .o r g
JUNE 2011
the identity issue
REPEAL WATCH
page 12
it gets better: the book page 10
a
marine company commander
GETS PERSONAL
page 16
the chapters CONUS
OutServe has more than 3,000 members in 43 chapters worldwide. Here are the chapter locations and e-mail addresses for chapter leaders.
Have trouble contacting a chapter? E-mail: outserve@outserve.org We’ll forward your request via our network.
Service Academies Alabama Arizona Arkansas California (South) California (North) Colorado Florida Georgia Idaho Kansas Kentucky Louisiana Mississippi Nebraska Nevada New England New Mexico North Carolina North Dakota New York City/NJ/EaPA Ohio Oklahoma South Carolina Texas Virginia Washington D.C. Washington State
OCONUS Afghanistan-Iraq Alaska Bahrain/Saudi Arabia/ Qatar/UAE Cuba Diego Garcia Germany Guam Hawaii Italy Japan Korea Kuwait United Kingdom
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JUNE 2011
OUTSERVE 3
editor’s corner l J. MILLS PHOTO BY Simon Howden
Two
months
ago,
we launched OutServe Magazine to an incredible outpouring of support and interest. We were sent numerous letters and personal stories from people who had been affected by repression under DADT and a stigmatization of LGBTs in general, and received many “thank-you’s” and “congratulations” from our fellow service members, the civilians who support us, and our military allies. News organizations such as MSNBC, CNN, Der Spiegel, Stars and Stripes, and Military Times reached out to cover the launch, and radio shows such as the Stephanie Miller Show had our members on-air to talk about the magazine, DADT repeal, and OutServe in general. One of the most touching and personal stories to me, however, is that of one of the column authors of this current issue. I’m not going to get into what his column is about because I want you to read it for yourself – but believe me when I say this: it will absolutely surprise you! “N”, a pseudonym, talks about his life in the military, his beautiful and loving family, and the twists and turns his life has taken – once you read the story, you’ll understand just exactly what I’m getting at. It took a mountain of courage for him to come forward and bare his soul to the rest of us, and I want to thank him from the bottom of my heart. I’m certain that we have several other network members who either have been in his situation or are still in that situation right now, so there is one thing I would like to publicly say to “N”: I cannot appropriately express my gratitude for your coming forward with this story. I’m certain your experience and honesty will have a huge impact on your readers – in ways you may never know. People generally only come forward and seek the support they need when someone else comes forward first; while your story is certainly not the first of its kind, it is perhaps the first to receive as wide of an audience as this one. So, rest assured, your story WILL move others to share their’s … it will move others to reach out to people they know who may be going through the same situation … and, most importantly, it will begin the process of informing the public of the tremendous struggle that our fellow LGBTs are faced with every day. To everyone else: read his story, send it to someone you may know who is struggling with the same situation, and write the author at news@outserve.org to share your support. I hope you enjoy this, our second issue of OutServe Magazine, and trust that you will pass it on to other LGBT service members who may not know of our network’s existence.
Sincerely,
J.M. Executive Editor
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JUNE 2011
JUNE 2011
VOL. 1 NO. 2
OutServe Leadership Co-director Co-director DC Operations/Spokesperson Service Academies/Spokesperson Media Operations
J.D. Smith Ty Walrod Jonathan Hopkins Katie Miller Sue Fulton
OutServe Magazine Executive Editor Managing Editor Design Director Head of Advertising Head of Distribution Contributor Contributor
J.M. E.S. Angelina Leger S.G. W.B. J.G. K.P.
Subscribe E-MAGAZINE Visit www.outserve.org and sign up for our mailing list — we’ll notify you as soon as they come out! PRINT MAGAZINE Individuals: Visit www.outservemag.magcloud.com and sign up to have a print version mailed directly to you. Military units: E-mail distribution@outserve.org with your unit’s mailing address, and we’ll send bulk issues — absolutely free!
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@OutServeMag OutServe Magazine is an initiative founded and operated solely by non-Department of Defense affiliates. While Magazine content is managed primarily by actively serving military professionals, the articles, advertisements, and artwork in this publication do not reflect the opinions or official position of the Department of Defense or the United States Government. ISSN 2161-3370 (Print version) ISSN 2161-3389 (Online version)
CONTENTS “It was hard that
7
REASON TO LIVE
ASK SARGE
night; it still is
Need advice? Sarge is here to tackle those tough issues.
... but it was the
8
right thing to do.” — “N”
PAGE 18
“one thought always
CO
penetrated even my most
NQ
UE
concrete focus: you are gay;
RI
NG
you do not belong here.”
YO
U
- J. G.
PAGE 18
The Last Frontier: What’s going on with DOMA — and why should we care?
10
IT GETS BETTER The inspirational Dan Savage/ Terry Miller book that started a movement.
12
“It Gets Better is one of those
REPEAL WATCH
books that slams you from
Your watchdog on DADT repeal.
emotion to emotion in six
16
pages or less.”
REASON TO LIVE
PAGE 10
A Marine company commander bares his soul. House Armed Service Committee Hearings on repeal implementation LGBT Troops Survey Results
REPEAL WATCH PAGE 12 When viewing as a PDF or through www.outserve.org, you can click any ad or website for interactive use.
6 OUTSERVE.org
MARRIAGE
JUNE 2011
18
CONQUERING YOU Life at the Naval Academy... an officer’s story about coming into his own.
20
THE BENCH TWO opinions — you’re the judge.
ask Sarge
OUTSERVE
Hello Readers, I would like to take this opportunity to introduce myself. I have served in the United States Air Force as a Mental Health Technician for the past four years, and I have worked as a substance abuse counselor for the better part of the last two years. Recently, I was forwarddeployed to Afghanistan where I operated a Combat Stress Clinic. Experience has shown me that most of the people who come into a Mental Health or Combat Stress Clinic do not suffer from a mental disorder, but simply need to be reminded about the basic fundamentals of life, like problems sleeping, communication issues, and adjusting to the military lifestyle. There are many other unique problems out there, and I would like the opportunity to help solve some of them. Sincerely,
Sergeant
I have been in a relationship for a little over a year and things have been going very well. My significant other is a civilian, and has never seemed to have a problem with my life in the military...until recently. I deployed about 2 months ago, and I feel like ever since I left, we have been fighting a lot more and we can’t talk about anything without it ending in an argument. I have tried to find solutions to the problems, and I just don’t know what else I can do. I really don’t want to lose them, but I just can’t see any other option at this point. What should I do? — DEPLOYED SPOUSE Dear Deployed Spouse, First of all, I would like to thank you for your sacrifice! Deployment is never an easy experience, regardless of your service or the length of your tour. Being away from your loved ones and the comfort of your lifestyle can take its toll on anyone. So, from the bottom of my heart, thank you!
I am a 26 year-old guy who recently entered the military. I arrived to my first duty station a few months ago and have noticed that I have become more agitated on a daily basis, and I’m not sure why that is. My supervisor is 4 years younger than I am and I live in the dorms. I just don’t understand why my life experience is pushed aside — I feel like I am treated like a toddler. What can I do? — UNDER-APPRECIATED DORM DWELLER Dear Under-appreciated, Coming into the military is a huge adjustment for everyone, but it can be even more of an adjustment for people who come in a bit later in life. You have had a lot of time to experience life in the real world and create your own path. The level of independence you have developed at 26 can be really hard to give up. Unfortunately, the military does not always take that experience into account. Many of the new recruits that come into the various Services have just graduated highschool, and chances are, your supervisor is one of those high school graduates who has been in the service for a while by now. Although he or she does not have the same life experience that you do, they probably have a good handle on the way the military operates. Try not to their abilities too much just because they are a bit younger than you are. As for your own situation, I would “bite the bullet” and play the game that all new servicemembers have to play to survive in the military. You will not be on the bottom rung of the food chain for long, and your life experience and independence will make fantastic leadership qualities as you progress in your career. Being a few years older than your peers offers several advantages for you. As your peers are focusing on learning how to be an employee and becoming independent of their parents, you will be able to review the tasks at hand and set yourself ahead of your peers immediately. Dorm life is what you make of it. Some people really enjoy the simplicity of it, while others have a problem feeling like they are being babysat. If you have a problem with some of the policies enforced at the dorms on your base, try joining the Dorm Council. There, you will be able to influence certain aspects of life in the dorms. Now, you may not be able to change all of the policies that you do not like, but, perhaps, you will have some ideas that can improve morale and make it a more enjoyable experience for everyone. Just hang in there and know that you are not alone in the way you are feeling and it will get better — sooner than you think!
That being said, the sacrifice that you, and thousands of other servicemembers continue to make on an ongoing basis is very foreign to those who have not served in the military. Many times, civilians struggle with their decision to be in a military relationship, simply because they do not understand the demands of the position that you have volunteered for. This difference in opinion can lead to an increase in the number of arguments, and, if untreated, tends to put a major strain on the relationship. In some cases, this miscommunication can manifest as anger and resentment, which the servicemember often internalizes. These expressions are not meant for the servicemember, but are often taken out on the member for lack of a better target. Another factor is that your significant other may be struggling with the perceived increase in your level of danger. They may not know how to support you through your deployment, especially if they do not agree with your being deployed. Also, remember that while you are embarking on this new adventure and your life is becoming busier and more exciting than when you left, the only difference for the member at home is that you are not there. Deployers get a lot of special attention for the sacrifices they make on a regular basis. This leaves the spouses as the unsung heroes at home, temporarily dealing with the life you have left behind. Although they may not be running things the way you would, they are still managing your life for you in your absence. Perhaps some special recognition for their sacrifice is exactly what your relationship needs. Knowing that you appreciate all of their support and help through this journey can make all the difference! There are many ways that you can express this gratitude. Writing letters is a personal way to let your significant other know that you are thinking of them and have taken the time to include them in your day-to-day life. Sending a simple gift or token of appreciation can go a long way. Try to keep these suggestions in mind when interacting with your significant other. Deployment is hard on everyone involved and it is very easy for couples to lose sight of the significance of their relationship. I am sure that whatever amount of effort you put in to reconnect with your partner, you will see an equal reciprocation. K.P. is an advice columnist for OutServe Magazine and has been serving on active duty since 2007. If you have a question you’d like to submit to him, e-mail K.P. at dearsgt@outserve.org This column serves as a way for members to seek advice from their peers, and in no way does the columnist's opinions replace professional medical advice. Anyone struggling with medical or personal issues is encouraged to seek professional help from a military chaplain, Family Support Center, or a medical health facility.
JUNE 2011
OUTSERVE 7
marriage Equality’s Final Frontier How DOMA Affects Us.
Written by E. S.
i
n just a few months’ time, gays and lesbians will finally be able to serve openly in the United States military. After twenty years of silent service and 14,000-plus discharges (not to mention the abuse and discharges incurred before DADT), the anticipation for a post-repeal environment grows by the day. Despite the significant achievement made last December by Congress and the president, the battle for equality among our peers does not end when repeal is implemented. In last August’s landmark federal decision out of California, called Perry v. Schwarzenegger (known colloquially as the Prop 8 case), Judge Vaughan Walker wrote the following: “Animus towards gays and lesbians or simply a belief that a relationship between a man and a woman is inherently better than a relationship between two men or two women, this belief is not a proper basis on which to legislate." Judge Walker was referencing the now-infamous Defense of Marriage Act (DOMA), signed into law by President Bill Clinton in 1996, and passed by Congress with huge margins from both parties. The bill originally came to Congress because of a case brought to the Supreme Court of Hawaii, called Baehr v. Miike, which concerned three same-sex couples who argued that the state’s prohibition of same-sex marriage violated the state constitution. The Supreme Court of Hawaii ultimately sided with the couples; however, the case became null because the state legislature eventually passed a law limiting marriage between “mixed-sex couples” only.
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The case made waves around the country, as anti same-sex marriage supporters feared that other states would have to recognize Hawaii’s marriages because of the Full Faith and Credit Clause (FFCC) of the U.S. Constitution. The clause essentially lists the duties that states have with respect to honoring “public acts, records, and judicial proceedings of every other state.” In practice, the FFCC typically applies to judgments made in suits concerning family law, such as child support or Orders of Protection, where, regardless of which state one lives in, each state must honor that ruling. Since the late 1880’s however, the Supreme Court introduced what is known as a “public policy exception” to this clause, meaning that if the laws of one state are in direct conflict of laws in another state, each state has limited autonomy to enforce what their citizenry deems appropriate.
“Animus towards gays and lesbians is simply a belief that a relationship between a man and a woman is inherently better than a relationship between two men or two women.” - Judge Vaughan Walker
the identity issue Such was the case, ironically, with interracial marriage in the 1960’s. Up until the Supreme Court, in a unanimous decision, struck down all laws banning interracial marriage in the landmark civil rights case Loving v. Virginia, each state essentially had their own law on whether it was legal to marry someone of a different race. The parallels here are obvious: whereas, in the past, discrimination was directed towards African and white Americans being able to marry, now the battleground has shifted to gays and lesbians. Despite the public policy exception to the FFCC, however, Congress deemed it necessary to enshrine their disapproval of gays and lesbians from marrying into law. Thus, DOMA was born.
OUTSERVE
Arguably, the two most important cases surrounding DOMA are the Prop 8 case and Gill v. Office of Personnel Management. Both cases are currently at the Appeals Court level, where oral arguments are scheduled to begin this year. Regardless of the decision, however, it is likely that either side will appeal directly to the Supreme Court for a final ruling. Though most news attention has focused around the Prop 8 case, I’d argue that the Gill case is more important for two reasons. First, it’s very likely that the defendants in the Prop 8 case will not have standing to continue defending the law, since both former Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger and former State Attorney General Jerry Brown have refused to defend the law in court. If the California Supreme Court rules that the defendants don’t have standing, then the ruling by Judge Walker invalidating the law will stand, and Californians will be able to marry whomever they choose. The problem, however, is that the ruling would only apply to residents of California, and not the nation as a whole. Hence, the importance of the Gill case. In this case, and the second reason why it’s so important, is that the lawsuit directly challenges Section III of DOMA, whereas the Prop 8 case only concerns the California law. The first ruling in the Gill case went for proponents of same sex marriage, ruling that DOMA violates the equal protection clause in the Fifth Amendment of the Constitution. Thus, if the Supreme Court eventually agrees to hear the case and subsequently affirms the lower Court’s decision, the entire law becomes invalidated, and all states must then allow same-sex marriage. If this were to happen, the military would face intense pressure to give same-sex partners the same benefits afforded to heterosexual couples as well. Then, finally, our Nation would grant us full equality. Judge Walker said it best in his ruling out of California: “Same-sex couples are situated identically to opposite-sex couples in terms of their ability to perform the rights and obligations of marriage,” and, as a result, have a “fundamental right to marry.” All eyes, now, are cast towards the Supreme Court.
“Though most news
attention has focused
So, why is DOMA a law that we, as LGBT servicemembers, need to concern ourselves with? As a military member, there are multiple reasons why we should care about the fate of DOMA and the cases currently before the courts. Since the military is part of the federal government, it is beholden to federal laws such as DOMA. To put this into perspective, let me provide the following example. Let’s say that you just got married in a state that allows same sex marriage (this is now allowed under the new policy) and are about to PCS to a new assignment. Currently, the military will not recognize that marriage, pay to relocate your spouse, provide on-base housing, or any medical benefits to your spouse. The only two benefits that the military has agreed to thus far are to allow same-sex partners to apply for hardship assignments (when being separated from one’s spouse will cause significant temporary hardship) and to allow samesex civilian partners to utilize the family support centers on base to obtain referrals for health-related support off-base.
around the Prop 8
case, I’d argue that
the Gill case is more important”
So what are the chances that the law will be repealed? The Congress is unlikely to repeal DOMA because there is not enough support in either chamber for a bill to pass. In fact, just last month in the House, during the markup session for the annual Defense Authorization bill, an amendment was approved that reaffirmed that the military is beholden to the guidance set forth in DOMA. The Obama Administration has done its part by refusing to defend Section III of the law, the part that defines marriage solely as between a man and a woman; this, however, does not invalidate the law. Thus, most analysts believe that the Courts will ultimately be the final arbiters of this issue.
E.S. is the managing editor for OutServe Magazine. He is an Air Force Intelligence Officer and has been serving on active-duty since 2007. If you would like to respond to this article, e-mail sweeney@outserve.org.
JUNE 2011
OUTSERVE 9
It Gets Better Edited by Dan Savage and Terry Miller
c.2011, Dutton $21.95 / $27.50 Canada 339 pages A review by Terri Schlichenmeyer, The Bookworm Sez, LLC
H
High school, it seems, was built for drama. Maybe it’s because of hormones or because everybody’s searching for who they are or the person they’ll become, but one thing’s certain: Mean Girls, jocks and cheerleaders, nerdy kids, geeks, and bullies generally cannot coexist in peace. And therein lies a problem, particularly if you’re on the receiving end of brutality, teasing, or ostracism. Not only does that stuff hurt, but it makes life so unpleasant that you can sometimes see only one way to stop it… Columnist Dan Savage, with his husband Terry Miller and a friend, decided to do something about that. In It Gets Better, they explain what happened and how their un-splashy video became a tidal wave of support. Just a hundred videos. That’s the response that Dan Savage and Terry Miller hoped they’d get from a YouTube post they made in the aftermath of several suicides by LGBTQ teens. In an AHA! moment, Savage had realized that those kids had no vision of a future and no idea that things get better – hence, the video. But one video begat two, then a hundred, then a computer crash, a presidential message, and a movement. In this book, they gather notable messages to LGBTQ teens; some poignant, and some surprises. Like teens who see only “one way out” of the torment, many It Gets Better posters tell of trying to take their own lives at fifteen, twelve, even ten years old. But, as one pointed out, there are many things she would have missed, were she successful. Another poster begs teens not to make him miss the chance to know them. The respondents came from around the world: the U.S. and Canada, England, Australia, Iraq. Politicians weighed in, as did ministers, doctors, dancers, soldiers, and teachers. The posters were gay and straight, parents and friends. One offered to send readers a letter of support. One gave the website for an alternative school. Some saw being gay as a gift. One man said he was his own bully. The posters are varied, but the message is the same: find your people. Hang in there — it will be over soon. Don’t suffer in silence. We need you to live.
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the identity issue
OUTSERVE
It Gets Better is one of those books that slams you from emotion to emotion in six pages or less. Readers will get teary, they’ll laugh, nod their heads, gasp, and want to scream. And this book isn’t just for teens: adults who need it and read it will find comfort here, too. The only caveat is that this book is (somewhat) targeted to middle-schoolers, but it may be too much for them to handle. What’s written here is often profane, inyour-face, and generally pretty grown-up, so caution should be used before giving this to a kid who isn’t ready for it yet. Still, if you know someone that needs this book, you’ll feel compelled to act. After you’ve read it yourself, you’ll know that It Gets Better gives him or her a better chance of surviving. Photo by Kelly O.
Available on Amazon at: http://amzn.com/0525952330
JUNE 2011
OUTSERVE 11
REPEAL WATCH
i
DoD Updates Congress on DADT Repeal Implementation New Law’s Opponents Use Hearings as Soapbox By D. S.
In the midst of a government-wide shut down threat over a budget impasse, the Republican-controlled House Armed Services Committee (HASC) held two hearings in April on the status of the Department of Defense’s implementation plans to repeal the law banning gays and lesbians from open uniformed service. The hearings were to serve as a progress report on each Services’ efforts conducting training on implementation of the repeal of “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell,” but instead, resulted in a frenzy of rhetoric from repeal opponents. Despite this, DoD representatives ultimately said they expect to complete training by midsummer, and that it is going well. To the chagrin of the opposition looking for holes in the implementation plan, the process has had no impact to combat troops, said Joint Staff Director Vice Adm. William Gortney, at the first hearing on April 1st to the HASC’s Subcommittee for Military Personnel. Those combat troops (Army infantry and Marine Corps) were the ones who most opposed the repeal, according to the 2010 DoD survey released in December. Despite this, some committee members used the hearing to voice discontent. “It is essential that Congress ask some of the questions that were glossed over,” Rep. Joe Wilson (R—SC), the chairman of the subcommittee said at the April 1st hearing. “We must ensure that we do not make a mistake by allowing the repeal to move ahead when there is any possibility that it will put the combat readiness of our force at risk at a time our nation is in three wars with worldwide instability.” Others pushed the opposition further, like freshman Tea Partier Rep. Austin Scott (R—GA), who said, “I hope that as we move forward that we’re able to undo some of these things.” The HASC chairman, Rep. Buck McKeon (R—CA), was a vocal foe of “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell” repeal last year, casting “no” votes each time measures came to the House floor. He held a second hearing on April 7th for the full committee, with the uniformed heads of each service testifying. Represented were Chief of Naval Operations Adm. Gary Roughead, Marine Corps Commandant Gen. James Amos, Air Force Chief of Staff Gen. Norton Schwartz, and Army Vice Chief of Staff Gen. Peter Chiarelli. Public statements by each since the Christmas vote have shown all service chiefs are on board with repeal implementation.
“It’s not the first time in history it has occurred to somebody that they are serving with gays and lesbians,” said HASC ranking member Rep. Adam Smith (D—WA), applauding the efforts of each service chief. “The debate on whether to allow gays and lesbians to serve in uniform has ended. It is time to focus on preparing the force and ensuring that leadership, professionalism, and respect is the hallmark in how we treat all members of the Armed Forces.” Gay rights advocates said they don’t anticipate these hearings will have any impact on the repeal process. Alexander Nicholson, Executive Director of Servicemembers United, said the hearings were “another blatant waste of resources. Troops are more worried about seeing that a government shutdown does not happen so that they can still get paid next week than they are about the 'Don't Ask, Don't Tell' policy coming to an end.” Ironically, the April 7th hearing had to pause so members could vote on extending the budget. “We have to go vote so we can keep paying you,” Rep. McKeon told the service chiefs. Mr. Nicholson went on further to say, “This issue has been settled, the Department of Defense has embraced this change, and trying to re-open this debate is a waste of both taxpayer money and the valuable time of these senior defense leaders in the midst of multiple overseas conflicts. The Joint Staff has made it clear that prior predictions of doom and gloom following repeal were misguided and that their respective services are more than capable of handling this change in policy."
PHOTO COURTESY OF: i-mef.usmc.mil
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R E P E A L WATCH
TRAINING STATUS
“Public statements by each since the Christmas vote have shown all service chiefs are on board with repeal implementation.”
The training itself is designed for three groups: tier 1 (the experts, such as chaplains, recruiters, lawyers, human resources, etc); tier 2 (commanders, leaders in DoD — both military and civilian); and tier 3 (the force at large). Each military service designed its own training slides with a focus on four principles: leadership, professionalism, discipline, and respect. As of April 1st, only about 9 percent of the force (or 200,000 troops) had been trained so far, said Admiral Gortney. However, most
Tier 1 and 2 training in each service has been completed since then. Clifford Stanley, the Pentagon’s Undersecretary for Personnel and Readiness, told members at the April 1st hearing that the process underway will not be rushed, “because we want to make sure that it’s done right, but at the same time, we don’t want to take forever to do it.” He also said the training “was going well.” Stanley further said it is too early to indicate any effects on recruitment or retention, but that nothing adverse has occurred in units that have completed training. Admiral Roughead echoed these
JUNE 2011
OUTSERVE 13
REPEAL WATCH same comments, saying that no effect on risk. Generals Schwartz and Amos both recruiting or retention has occurred. responded that going to war places a heavy The Army is on track to complete training risk on servicemembers. for 565,000 active-duty soldiers by July, and Ironically, the chief most opposed to 567,000 Guard and Reserve members by repeal last December, General Amos, August. The Navy is scheduled to complete seems to have developed a new opinion training by July 1st, Marine Corps by May since then. “There’s not been the anxiety 31st, and the Air Force and Coast Guard over it from the field,” said General Amos. by the summer. Depending on the length “Quite honestly, they’re focused on the of time it takes to accomplish the training, enemy,” referencing the views of his Marine certification could most likely happen this commanders in Afghanistan. fall. When asked about standards of Gen James Amos, Revealed during the hearing is Secretary discipline, Admiral Roughead said the same Marine Corp Commandant of Defense Robert Gates’ involvement. rules under the Uniformed Code of Military He personally met with service chiefs and Justice will apply equally to homosexuals combatant commanders twice to monitor as they do to heterosexuals, with regard to sexual harassment and other regulations. progress, reporting that there have been no “It’s not as if we have to create new policies,” he said. issues thus far with the repeal. Rep. Loretta Sanchez (D—CA) questioned General Schwartz For those in the service opposing repeal, the training doesn’t clarify what may happen to any objectors. Thus far, no requests have regarding the 14,000 gays and lesbians forced out under the 17 yearbecome public. According to the Navy slides, “Consistent with the old policy to find out how members can appeal for re-entry into the new policy, sailors may not be discharged early for opposing the force. General Schwartz responded that each case would be looked repeal of ‘don't ask, don't tell.’ Early discharges will be granted ‘when at on an individual basis with regards to the needs of each service. in the best interest of the Navy.’” Admiral Roughead said one of the problems with his service was that too many people want to stay in the Navy, implying that anybody who did want to come forward and resign, due to the implementation, may help his service’s personnel end-strength.
“There’s not been the anxiety over it from the field ... Quite honestly, they’re focused on the enemy”
IMPLEMENTATION PROGRESS
All testified they are using the “Support Plan for Implementation: Report of the Comprehensive Review of the Issues Associated with a Repeal of ‘Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell’” report in implementing their training programs. General Amos said that even after the training was complete, he would use subjective measurements, including surveys, before recommending certification. Chairman McKeon asked each of the service chiefs their opinion on the level of risk they feel the implementation will cause. The Army, Navy and Air Force chiefs still said there was moderate risk to repeal, but no issues have arisen thus far. “We are mitigating the risk, but I’m more comfortable with implementation than I was in December,” said General Schwartz. Rep. Vicky Hartzler (R—MO) questioned why the service chiefs are allowing risk in changing a policy, and asked them when they had ever recommended a policy putting military forces at moderate
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R E P E A L WATCH END GAME
Survey Findings
After decisive action by the lame duck Congress at Christmas, President Obama signed the “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell” repeal into law, but the actual policy change won’t take effect until military training is completed and leadership certify readiness, recruitment, and retention will not suffer by the law’s enactment. “You can rest assured that each one of us will give our best military advice to the Chairman,” said General Schwartz. Once that recommendation is given by each Service, and ultimately, the President, there will be a 60-day waiting period before implementation occurs. “I’m absolutely confident that good order and discipline will prevail at the end of the day,” said General Amos during testimony, also noting that “persistent leadership” by NCOs and officers will ensure readiness. Freshman Rep. Allen West (R—FL), an Army Reserve Lieutenant Colonel who served in Iraq, said, “We don’t have to sit up here and banter. This is going to happen.”
PHOTO COURTESY OF: defense.gov
For questions or comments regarding this story, e-mail news@outserve.org. Left: Air Force Chief of Staff Gen. Norton Schwartz answers a question during testimony before the House Armed Services Committee in Washington, D.C., on April 7, 2011. Photo courtesy of af.mil.
OutServe recently conducted an unscientific online survey between April 28 and May 16 that surveyed 224 lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender (LGBT) uniformed DoD and Coast Guard personnel. The questions focused on various aspects of the Don’t Ask Don’t Tell (DADT) repeal implementation process and canvassed members on other personal issues relating to their sexuality. This survey constitutes one of the largest ever that has been targeted toward active-duty lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender troops. Respondents included 37% representing the Air Force (the highest of the 5 services), 30% from the Army, 21% from the Navy, 7% from the Marines, and just over 2% from the Coast Guard. Finally, 65% of respondents represented the ranks from E-1 — E-9, while 20% came from O-1s and above; the remaining respondents were from warrant officers and cadets. Some of the highlights from the survey include a whopping 78% of respondents who indicated that they were “out” to at least some in their unit, with 28% saying they came out after the law was changed in December. When asked if they would come out to their unit after repeal has been certified, 28% said they would not tell anyone that does not currently know, and 30% said they were not sure. In an attempt to assess the conduct and professionalism of the training from leadership, OutServe found that a majority of troops (58%) said that it was “very professional,” “generally professional,” or about “neutral.” When asked whether or not troops would feel comfortable bringing their significant other to military sponsored events, almost 60% of those surveyed said they definitely or likely would. Another hotly debated topic concerning DADT, is to whom troops would seek advice from in the event of harassment or discrimination. Respondents from the survey, by 56%, said they would either use their chain of command (CoC) or a Commander. The same percentage was noted as well when a similar question asked if the harassment were persistent, would they turn to Military Equal Opportunity office or stay within the CoC/supervisor—a majority clearly favored the latter. The last question of the survey asked troops what they would tell the Pentagon, if anything, concerning LGBT troops and DADT repeal. Many comments offered high praise for the leadership exhibited by Defense Secretary Robert Gates and Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Admiral Mike Mullen. Others expressed dismay about not having the same benefits as their heterosexual peers, such as housing and pay. Finally, a few members expressed a strong desire to remind the DoD that few LGBT personnel have HIV/AIDS, as some training briefings conflated the topic too often. Important to note in this finding is that a 2007 report from U.S. Military HIV Research Program demonstrated that the amount of HIV infections has remained the same for the past 17 years, in spite of the fact that LGBTs have been serving alongside their straight counterparts since the existence of the U.S. military. Overall, the survey provided invaluable insight into the minds of LGBT troops, with a clear majority pleased with the way implementation has moved forward since its repeal in December. — Written by E. S.
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Reason My wife is home in California with my two beautiful twin children. My family is healthy and my children are two happy four-and-a-half year-olds. We live in base housing and also own a home in North Carolina with a tenant who pays the rent on time and takes good care of our house. Our only debt is good debt: a mortgage, student loans, and one car payment. At work, I command a Marine rifle company. My company has 187 infantry Marines who are well trained, well prepared, and ready to fight for their country and their Corps. I’m forward deployed, I’m PME complete, and I am almost halfway to retirement. I regularly think of committing suicide. 16 OUTSERVE.org
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the identity issue
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to Live JUNE 2011
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reason to live PHOTO by Lance Cpl. Michael J. Petersheim, Marines.mil
I
I realized I was gay in high school, though upon closer reflection, the writing was on the wall long before that. I dabbled when I was in junior high, and was in my first long-term relationship with another guy by my senior year. Ironically, I was also in my first long-term relationship with a girl at the same time. To say I was in denial is an understatement. It did not help that my mother, an evangelical convert late in life, realized my sexual leanings and ordered me to counseling with her minister. They both managed to convince me (a struggling recent convert at the time) that my relationship with boys was unnatural, ungodly, and would ensure I had a reservation in Hell when I died. Naturally, I believed them. At college, I did what my family expected me to do. I went to a big, conservative school in Texas with a large ROTC program, I suppressed my sexuality publically (though quietly seeking the occasional interlude on the “DL”), and I went about my life. My long-term girlfriend broke up with me during my sophomore year after my long-term ex-boyfriend called her and told her about us. I didn’t date anyone after that for about three years. Fast-forward to college graduation and commissioning ... I started dating a girl in the fall of my college victory lap (5th year) and then proposed to her shortly before starting Marine Basic Officer Course in Quantico, VA. The suggestion to propose came from my best friend (who didn’t know I was gay), and I was too scared and too deep in the closet to tell him. I bought a ring, she said yes, and we were married five months later. At this point, there was absolutely no doubt in my mind that I was gay, but there was also no chance that I would ever consider coming out to anyone, so I assumed I could simply change my feelings over time, and that I would eventually become straight — or at least bisexual. It didn’t take me long to realize how hard it was going to be to keep up the illusion of sexual attraction. I have never been attracted to women. I can become aroused while making out with a woman and I can have intercourse, but my mind is always on previous sexual encounters with men. Always. In the seven years of my marriage, I don’t think that my wife and I had sex more than 100 times. I know this frustrated my wife, but I was too afraid and ashamed to tell her the truth, and so the lie became a life, and life became more complicated.
concluded that my life would be one of silence and suppression of my feelings — the safest and most considerate thing to do. We were immediately successful, and my wife became pregnant with our twins. I deployed a few weeks later. Following the second deployment, I returned home to my new family. When I left, I had a wife and a dog. When I returned, I had a full house. Becoming a father was the best experience of my life. I’m not a great dad, but I worship my kids and they love me, so that is all that matters. But, being a father, especially as my kids grew older and smarter, made me realize the importance of honesty with my children. What would I do if my son or my daughter killed themselves as a pre-teen or as a teenager because they thought their parents wouldn’t understand? What would they think if they were to discover my sexuality when they were teenagers or adults? Would they hate me for lying to them and their mom? Would they resent me because I was not honest with them? And about my wife — how much longer could I make her unwittingly suffer without the knowledge of my true feelings and desires? How much longer would I let her think that my lack of desire for her was her fault, or that she was somehow unattractive? I knew that the longer I waited, the more painful the truth would be.
After my first deployment, we decided to try and get pregnant. I realize that I should have told my wife before this point about my sexuality, but again, I was too ashamed, and I wanted to have a child before my next deployment. As an only child, I alone bore the family name and I did not want that name extinguished if something happened to me on my next combat tour. I had long
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JUNE 2011 PHOTO BY M. BARTOSCH
the identity issue When I was at PME (Professional Military Education) school, two significant issues began to creep into my conscious. First, I realized that my true political beliefs no longer matched those I professed. Despite being raised in conservative south Texas, attending a very conservative university, and serving as an officer in the most conservative of our Nation’s armed services, I was actually quite liberal. While most people have this revelation in college, I waited until I was almost thirty before allowing myself to admit it. The significance of this admission is closely tied to the other issue — my religion and faith. These two revelations, each life-changing for me in their own way, were perhaps the most significant contributing factors to my ultimate decision to come out to my wife. Once I was able to accept myself, spiritually and politically, it freed my mind and heart to accept (for the first time) myself, sexually. Armed with the power of that knowledge, I decided that I would tell my wife the truth, and I would do so before the year’s end.
“She kept saying ‘okay, okay, okay, okay,’ as if she could somehow talk herself into accepting the complete destruction of the world she knew by wishing everything to be okay” A few months ago, just before deployment, I came out to my wife. I had been having feelings toward a male friend for about three months, and while that relationship was nothing sustainable, I couldn’t bear to keep it from my wife any longer. I feared that if she discovered my desires on her own, she would never be able to forgive me, and I knew that her eventual forgiveness was critical to my long-term emotional stability. I knew that my desire for men went far beyond sex; it was the relationship I wanted — and that demanded a total lifestyle change. It was a Wednesday in October when I made the decision. I called her from work and asked her if she could have a friend watch the kids one night later in the week — we needed to talk. She immediately suspected something was wrong. By the time I came home, she was very distraught. She kept asking me questions, trying to pry the subject of the conversation out. I wouldn’t tell her, and that made it worse. I had hoped for a Friday night talk, where we could have the weekend to work through
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the intense emotions I knew would follow, but she couldn’t wait. I eventually quit stalling. We sent the kids to the neighbor’s house, sat down on the couch, and I spilled my guts. At first, she just sat there, shaking violently, having trouble catching her breath. She kept saying ‘okay, okay, okay, okay,’ as if she could somehow talk herself into accepting the complete destruction of the world she knew by wishing everything to be okay. But it wasn’t okay. We talked and cried for four hours that first night. She desperately needed someone to talk to, and so she asked if she could call her mother. I told her that was fine, and she made me promise to stay in the room. In spite of her anger and disbelief, she wanted me to hear every word she said, because she wanted me to know that she wasn’t going run to her family with the kids. She was in the lowest point of her entire life, but she wanted to be sure that I knew something — this was still OUR family, and we had to handle this as a team. It was hard that night; it still is. But it was the right thing to do. While she is still hurt and angry, she does not hate me because I am gay. She is angry because I lied to her. We’ve agreed to stay together for a time until we work out what is best for the kids. We’ve decided to get divorced, but not to rush into it. She’s even let me start seeing a guy I really like; a fellow service member who I can see myself committed to for a long time ... so, there is hope for progress. So, why do I think about suicide? Because I’m 32 years old, and the world I built for myself is crumbling around me. Despite the repeal of Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell, I’m terrified of my Marines finding out that I am gay. I’m terrified of telling my parents. I’m terrified that my wife and I will fight about our kids and she will take them somewhere that I won’t be able to get stationed. Life is so much better for our generation than it has been for previous ones. I’m grateful everyday for those who paved the way for our society to recognize LGBT people as equals — but, I struggle everyday with the reality of living on the threshold of this new world. My kids, my Marines, and the hope for a future with someone I can love openly are the only reasons I’m still alive today.
--NTo comment on this story or to contact the author, e-mail news@outserve.org.
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Conquering You
C
Written by J. G.
arrying a log in full combat gear, treading water with a rifle in both hands, or marching in a dress uniform in the middle of summer had never appealed to me, but as I scrolled through the United States Naval Academy’s website during my junior year of high school, suddenly, it seemed fun. My initial response to the school was cynical disbelief, closely followed by awe, and finally settling on an unyielding desire to become a part of everything I was observing. From my mother’s desktop computer in the kitchen of our quiet home in the small country town of Pineville, Louisiana, I saw the path to Bancroft Hall begin to take shape. I knew the journey would be long, difficult, and replete with emotional hurdles, but the financial relief and prestige afforded by that institution demanded my attendance. Through the application and acceptance process, even during my first two years of study, one thought always penetrated even my most concrete focus: you are gay; you do not belong here. In no way, shape, or form could I persuade myself that I belonged to the institution that I had given countless hours of sweat and effort. There were only a few others like me, and by military law, even my existence was forbidden. On the surface, some may think that this is a minor thing, that one does not need acceptance or approval for success. That may be true… for them. The lingering fear that my homosexuality would be discovered and result in my expulsion and mother’s shame forced me to keep to myself. Living, marching, eating, drilling, and studying with 130 company mates daily made my reclusive attitude difficult to maintain, but when driven by fear, the impossible is possible. Generally an alpha personality, this introspective phenomenon was strange to me, and the Naval Academy is not the place for people who are afraid to take charge. My introversion secured my exclusion from company-mates, from deep lasting friendships, and from academic success. An arduous academic curriculum topped with military pomp and circumstance before, during, and after class can only be surmounted with the help of your company-mates. The company unit is a microcosm within the greater Naval Academy world,
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in that you are not only affected by the influence of the Institution, but you are also vulnerable to the ebb and flow of leadership personalities within the company as well. My cascading disappearance of self within school walls was counterbalanced, however, by my vibrant personality and escalating ability on the track and field team. I made my fondest memories, closest friends, and strongest supporters on the track. It was as if two worlds existed; the militant and abrasive environment inside Bancroft Hall, and the free, expressive atmosphere of intercollegiate sports. I adapted to each as best I could. When I pounded on that red turf and thrust my fists in the air, I felt as if I belonged. I would think… this track…this school…this is mine. I am where I need to be. I never remotely approached that emotion while running military drills or sitting through a physics/chemistry/electrical engineering class. Track and field was my lifeline. Running track facilitated my academic survival, and one specific experience cemented my assimilation into the realm of those who belong. It was the winter of my sophomore year. Indoor track had left me with a torn hamstring, left foot stress fracture, and relentless shin splints, all of which I managed to recover from in time for our championship indoor meet. The most senior sprinter on the squad, I was scheduled to run the 200m, 400m and 4x400m races. I had one of the first races of the meet, so as soon as my team arrived at the stadium, I began my warm-up. I listened to my iPod and routinely shuffled through the bass-laden songs to keep my intensity high. Although no different than any other warm-up, this one would forge itself in my memory. Then, like lightning striking a piano cord, these lyrics bolted through my body, heading directly toward my heart: “It’s like I can’t breathe. It’s like I can’t see anything, nothing but you. I’m addicted to you. It’s like I can’t think, without you interrupting me. In my thoughts, in my dreams, you’re taking over me.” Still processing a recent break-up and teammate betrayal, Kelly Clarkson’s “Addicted” spoke too closely to my reaction over a lost love. Suddenly, my heart clenched, the stadium vanished, and I was left alone with thoughts of
the identity issue him. I desperately hoped that he would not be here to support his new boyfriend. Not tonight. Not when the pressure of a championship meet was already eroding my confidence. I just knew that if I saw him, I would go into an emotional panic and lose complete focus, and subsequently, every race.
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He never even said hello. Notable accomplishments were almost always just out of reach. With most of my time spent in class and in the dorm, my introverted persona often had more of an opportunity to grow further into itself than my outgoing personality on the track. This one experience, this one instant, changed me forever. That night, I found resolve and discovered that perseverance and heart bears its own sweet fruit. I discovered that no matter how much we hurt or how deep the emotional scars pierce our being, we can turn that emotion and those negative experiences into fuel – fuel to power through the obstacles that are before us and prove, to ourselves and to those who have hurt us, that their betrayal does not define us.
“ I was overcome by
that feeling one has just
before waking from a dream in
I did a few sprints around the track and meditated on his absence. The referee blew the warning whistle, and all the competitors walked to the starting line. As I bounced toward the starting line, I began to regain confidence. I glanced momentarily into the stands to my right. He was not there. My self-assurance grew. I scanned the crowd in the bleachers to my left. I scanned for his all too familiar bushy eyebrows and electrifying smile. He was not there. I was ready.
which you are falling – except, I was conscious.”
I remember we had dated for eight months. He was athletic, intelligent, caring, cultured and much more, so when he told me he didn’t feel the same about me, I was devastated. I understood there were strains on our relationship; he didn’t have any guy friends in whom he could confide. I was never certain that I wanted a boyfriend, and we were both academy students - that alone was a recipe for disaster. I recognized the difficulties in our relationship, yet the prospect of enduring the academy without him hurt. And just when I thought the pain could not get any worse, he told me he had been talking to my teammate about our problems, that my teammate was his confidante and friend, and not too long after our breakup, my teammate became his boyfriend. I was overcome by that feeling one has just before waking from a dream in which you are falling – except, I was conscious. His revelation placed me in physical pain. Desolate, betrayed and alone were the only emotions I managed to identify.
That night, a sense of invincibility permeated the air. Mountains were not so tall, the ocean wasn’t so vast, and the moon and stars were just within arms reach. For a brief moment, I was the best. I was where I was meant to be … and most importantly, I belonged. J.G. is a columnist for OutServe Magazine. He is a graduate of the United States Naval Academy and has been serving on active duty since 2006. To respond to J.G.’s article, e-mail him at green@outserve.org
But all that was behind me now. I walked toward my blocks with an uncontainable air of assurance. I kneeled inside my blocks. I was ready for this. I foolishly glanced up again to the bleacher on my right and my heart sank. He was there… watching me. Our eyes met, and the eight months with - and year without - him flashed through my mind… I savored each emotion I felt: joy, confusion, doubt, sadness, anger, and my last, rage. How could he come to my meet after breaking my heart, and of all things, to support that awful excuse for a teammate? The apparent disregard for how his presence might affect me hurt. It was a cruel slap in the face, intentional or not. Normally, I am a calm and practical person, but I knew that his attendance would either enhance or significantly hinder my performance in this championship meet. I made the decision to allow sadness in my heart, but only as a fuel for the rage I needed to annihilate the competition. When the referee fired the gun, I bolted from my starting blocks, quickly picked up speed, lifting my knees higher and higher, and extending my legs further and further. I felt his eyes bear into my skin. Every step I took was like a jab to the heart, knowing that once the race was finished, I would lose him again - his attention, and for the brief moment that I had it, his heart. I couldn’t lose. I refused. Emotionally broken, I ran as if maybe, just maybe, my victory would result in something more valuable than a firstplace finish: a second chance. I won the 400m for the first time in my career. I continued to feed on that same dejection which led to a victory in the 200m and 4x400m races as well. At the end of the meet, I was named Most Valuable Player for Track.
PHOTO COURTESY OF: navy.mil
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THE
TWO OPINIONS
i
Gays, EO, & Protected Class Status Big picture: It’s not about the Unit-Level
1
In the midst of the DADT repeal implementation training, I am certain that many of you have noticed that gays and lesbians will not be receiving “protected class” status, and therefore, will not fall under the responsibility of the Equal Opportunity Department. Instead, cases of discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation will be handled at the unit commander’s discretion, with oversight from the IG. While many servicemembers, gay and straight alike, praise this decision not to designate homosexuals as worthy of “special treatment,” this sentiment is spawned from a misunderstanding of the purpose of Military EO, not from rational concerns about our gay and lesbian servicemembers.
It would be naïve to think that the lack of nondiscrimination language in the repeal bill was actually in the interest of our LGBT servicemembers. It was merely a political bargaining tool. Just as the unnecessary 60-day certification was used to appease service chiefs worried about “being engaged in two theatres of war,” the removal of nondiscrimination protections was a provision to appease politicians who otherwise would not support pro-gay legislation. Again, not receiving protected class status was not a decision made in the best interest of LGBT servicemembers necessarily, but rather just the least controversial way of passing a bill before the lame duck session of Congress ended.
It is no secret; the EO system carries a terrible reputation. Many white, Christian, men probably groan at the term, because, to them, it’s a euphemism for “reverse discrimination.” On the flip-side, many women and racial minorities have a similar reaction because they desperately attempt to avoid “special treatment.” As a woman and former West Point cadet, I also resented every EO briefing because all I wanted was to blend in with the guys, and I thought EO was counterproductive to my efforts. That is, until I interned with the Defense Equal Opportunity Management Institute (DEOMI) at Patrick AFB, FL, and attended a Military Leadership Diversity Commission (MLDC) hearing last June, where I actually learned the true purpose of EO.
And for those then who continue to dissent because of personal unwillingness to identify themselves on paper, I have four words for you: You don’t have to. Just like religious minorities, it is purely an individual’s choice of whether or not to identify as part of that demographic. Atheists are promoted at a much lower rate than Christian-identifying soldiers, but nobody would ever know that for certain unless atheists voluntarily disclosed that information. Religious discrimination can be covered up easily at the unit level (i.e. “I just don’t think Joe has the right values for promotion), but you cannot hide the trends when evaluated at a macrolevel. The same would be true of discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation; nobody will know it is happening unless there is someone checking.
Most servicemembers know EO as a tool that commanders use to address issues of disrespect and discrimination at a unit level. Although that is one function, most people do not realize the main purpose of Military Equal Opportunity is to evaluate discrimination at an institutional level, not at a unit-level. MEO tracks recruitment, retention, and promotion rates of protected classes across all the Armed Forces to make sure they match that of the average servicemember.
Because of the statistics tracked by EO, service chiefs now recognize that women are not being promoted to the general officer and flag officer ranks at an acceptable rate. This fact forms the basis of the argument to repealing the female combat exclusion policy, since a disproportionate amount of general and flag officers hail from the combat arms and women are prohibited from entering these branches. Essentially, EO’s promotion statistics are helping women blend in as “one of the guys” by giving them an equal opportunity to progress through the ranks, not targeting them for special treatment, as some would argue.
Although the unit-level EO program is arguably dysfunctional, I cannot reiterate enough that the main purpose of EO is not to give special treatment to minorities. Rather, the “big picture” purpose of EO is to statistically track institution-wide discrimination, which allows the individual services to tweak personnel policies when unfavorable trends arise. Additionally, the inclusion of gays and lesbians into a protected class would not require that they identify themselves or that they utilize unit level EO services. However, all gays and lesbians would benefit from knowing whether or not they were being discriminated against in the ranks, which cannot even begin to be tracked unless gays and lesbians receive protected class status.
Another argument against gays and lesbians receiving protected class status is that many do not wish to identify as homosexual on their records.
Katie Miller is a former West Point cadet who resigned in 2010 under DADT and is currently a Political Science major at Yale University. Miller also serves on the OutServe Board of Directors.
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the bench
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BENCH YOU are the JUDGE!
e
Don’t Panic! We Can Get By Without EO
2
Equal Opportunity (EO) is a touchy subject with many members of the military. Everyone can agree that every person should be treated equally; it is the logistical question of how to make all treatment equal where the disagreements begin to arise. Right now, it looks like LGBT troops may not receive equal protection under EO. While it sounds scary at first, is this necessarily a bad thing? I say we can get along just fine without it.
courses or “canned” PowerPoint briefings delivered to the masses. Both mediums are largely impersonal and personal flare is exactly what troops need in order to be adequately trained in matters of diversity. The best training our military can give, on the ground-level, is the training they will receive via day-to-day interactions with LGBT troops (an experience EO cannot provide).
I don’t know about you, but what I want out of the repeal of DADT is business-as-usual. The primary difference I care to see in my daily life is to no longer live in fear of losing my job for being the man God made me to be. With or without “protected class” status, I will be able to do so. Unfortunately, in an environment where homophobia runs rampant, my biggest concern is people may end up avoiding me out of the fear they may accidentally offend me and that I would report them.
The other primary function EO offers on the unit-level is to serve as an advocate to those who are discriminated against on-the-job. While this function is important, there are plenty of other agencies which can offer the same protection (i.e. the IG, First Sergeant, Chain-of-Command, Chaplain, Sexual Assault Prevention and Response, to name a few). In this respect, EO is merely an added redundancy within the process. However, there is one area where the agency does excel in offering protection to minorities.
A military mindset with a focus at the institutional level would say there is a simple solution to this problem: training. One of the primary functions of EO is exactly this – though in my personal opinion, unit-level training is EO’s greatest weakness. Typically, troops are trained by EO either through computerb a s e d
EO is great at gathering data to support diversity. Since the US military is a reflection of American society, EO takes a snapshot of the military’s demographics, and makes sure minorities are sufficiently represented throughout the ranks. Right now, LGBT servicemembers are worried they will be left out of this calculation if they are not recognized under EO. Even though DADT repeal has yet to be implemented, the DoD is already gathering statistics on its LGBT troops. It’s public knowledge that the military is working with OutServe and other agencies to gather exactly this sort of data (anonymously of course) to better prepare itself for a post-repeal military. There is one area, however, where EO can do nothing to support us. As the policy currently stands, the biggest thing that will separate homosexuals and heterosexuals in the military is the right to marriage. This right has nothing to do with EO’s building of demographic profiles, their training programs, or advocacy for minorities. The Defense of Marriage Act (DOMA) is a federal law which would negatively affect gays and lesbians even as a protected class. Since EO falls under the military, an institution bound by federal law, it is required by law to uphold this policy for as long as the law is in effect. Some benefits that would be denied to military same-sex couples under DOMA are housing, medical coverage, and joint assignment consideration. I don’t mean to say that LGBT servicemembers, the military, or our government will be better off without protected class status for LGBT troops; however, one thing I’ve learned in my years of service under the repression of DADT is that gays in the military are resilient people. I am convinced there isn’t a thing EO can offer us that we can’t do without. In the grand scheme of things, we will be just fine with or without their help.
K. J. is a pilot in the Air Force and has been serving on active-duty since 2008. For questions or comments regarding this story, e-mail news@outserve.org.
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