Queer Musings

Hate Crime Legislation a Symbolic Gesture?

It's not often that I find myself disagreeing with Dan Savage. When it comes to the passing of the Matthew Shepard and James Byrd, Jr. Hate Crimes Prevention Act I have to say he's wrong that it is a purely symbolic piece of legislation.

During the time I lived in Oklahoma City I was a victim of hate crime two different times. The first time the police didn't find my attackers. The second time they did. If I would've had the ability to try and get the crime into federal jurisdiction instead of the state I would have been more likely to follow through on pressing charges.

When I was attacked the second time, I got lucky and an off duty police officer saw what was going on, called for back-up and then stopped my assailants. He then reported to the officers that arrived on the scene that the attackers had been calling me faggot while beating on me.

One would think with an officer making that kind of statement I would have pressed charges. Well this was in Oklahoma which is one of the most homo-unfriendly states around. The on duty officer that took my statement actually seemed to be encouraging me to not press charged. He said that at most the attackers would spend the night in jail, get out the next morning and only have to pay a fine.

Given what I knew about Oklahoma, I decided not to press charges.

If I would of had the protection of hate crime legislation I would definitely have pursued prosecution. With the off duty officer's statement about the attackers calling me faggot, I can't help but think that would have moved it from the state level to the federal level. The one attackers that hit me in the head with a beer bottle would have been facing a lot more than just a fine.

So Mr. Savage, just because the hate crime bill doesn't directly affect every member of the LGBT community, it's still an important piece of legislation. Honestly I feel it's much more important than trying to get the White House to move on marriage as you seem to want them to do. I personally feel that the repeal of DOMA is the least of our concerns.

If you want to discuss something that will affect more LGBT citizens then let's talk ENDA. It is currently legal in 29 states to fire an employee simply for being gay. Surely that would affect more LGBT citizens than the hate crime bill.

Maybe you want to talk about something that affects every American citizen. If so let's talk about DADT. During a time when we are fighting two wars, both in the Middle East, it is insane that we are discharging service members that can translate Arabic. Lt. Dan Choi is a perfect example of this. An Iraq war veteran, and West Point graduate that studied linguistics, and is fluent in Arabic was discharged for challenging DADT. Is America safe now that we don't have him translating intelligence reports that could indicate another attack here in the US?

Now don't get me wrong, I'm all for marriage equality. That issue, however, is one that I feel needs to be fought on the state level. Once we achieve a victory in more states would it be necessary to pressure DC to repeal DOMA. Sure Obama could come out and say he opposed Proposition 1 in Maine and for the approval Referendum 71 in Washington where you live. I think that would be a wise move for him. After all he did say he was a "fierce advocate" of LGBT rights.

If I was to be 100% honest, when Mr. Savage and other respected LGBT advocates spend so much time in the national press talking about marriage; it makes me feel like a bad queer for not wanting it as bad as they seem to want it.

I will admit that you are probably right that the passing of the hate crime bill affects fewer members of our community. I still feel having been a victim of a hate crime that it is a much needed piece of legislation. I'm glad to see it finally passed, and that we have a President that has stated he will sign it into law.

(via AC360 Talks Hate Crimes with Corey Johnson and Dan Savage - Towleroad, More than gay news. More gay men)

50 Years Of Pentagon Studies Support Gay Soldiers - The Atlantic Politics Channel

It makes me sad, and a bit angry that studies have been conducted to see if allowing gays to serve in the military would be detrimental the national security and no such threat has been found. What's worse was in 1957 when it was determined that the military should not move ahead of civilian society in regards to homosexuals serving.

The DoD has funded studies on the impact of gay servicemembers as far back as 1957, when the Navy's Crittenden Report (pdf) found "no factual data" to support the idea that they posed a greater security risk than heterosexual personnel. Straight officers boasting secrets due to "feelings of inadequacy" were a realer threat, it found. Despite these findings, the report recommended no changes to dismissal policies, for a reason that would define the department's stance on open service into the 21st century: "The service should not move ahead of civilian society nor attempt to set substantially different standards in attitude or action with respect to homosexual offenders."

So there you have it. Heterosexual officers were found to potentially be a larger security threat that homosexuals. Honestly I feel anyone that's hiding a secret straight, gay, or bi has the same potential to be a threat to national security, but what do I know?

From the time I spent in the Navy it would seem I know as much as researchers from 1957.

via politics.theatlantic.com

Fear Mongering Right Wing's New Target - DADT

In a statement against Ellen Tauscher's (D-CA) introduction of H.R. 1283, the "Military Readiness Enhancement Act Of 2009," The Traditional Values Coalition continues the right wing the only tactic they know. From my experience of having served in the Navy, and dealing with other GLBT service-members, I can say with all certainty that the TVC's argument against DADT is flawed. It's the right wing's usual approach to an issue of trying to spread fear and ignorance. According the the TVC statement, "Her misnamed bill should be called the "Legalization Of Sodomy On The Battlefield And Barracks Act" to more accurately describe what the legislation will legalize."

The TVC's remarks is one of the most offensive things I've read in a while. With the words they use they try to paint a picture of life in the military becoming one big bacchanalian orgy rife with barebacking and a rampant increase in the spread of STDs and HIV.

This would have a devastating impact on our military readiness. The best and most patriotic of American soldiers would leave the service to individuals with sexual identity problems.

Imagine the impact that the rampant spread of STDs, including HIV would have on the military? How will the military handle the spread of these diseases in the barracks? How will the military handle sodomy in battlefield situations?

Imagine the impact that sexual favoritism would have in subverting military cohesion? A homosexual Sergeant who was in love with a member of his company, could protect his lover from battle – or send a straight soldier into harm’s way just to punish him for having the wrong attitudes about homosexuality. Straight soldiers could be denied promotion by militant gay officers. The military chain of command would be undermined.

What kind of argument is this? When I was in the Navy, STDs was already a problem among the some of my straight crew members. When I was in the Philippines there was one sailor who bragged that his trip wasn't complete if he didn't have to go see a doctor after visiting some of the prostitutes in the city. With an attitude like that, I can only imagine that HIV is also a problem for many straight service-members.

What I find really laughable in their argument is they find a way to take a cheap shot at the many fine women that have decided to serve their country.

Col. Ron D. Ray, (USMCR, retired) has written extensively on the dangers of permitting homosexuals to serve openly in the military. In his essay, "Lifting The Ban On Homosexuals In The Military: The Subversion Of A Moral Principle," he notes: "Junior officers and NCOs already fear that any and every effort made to investigate or screen [homosexuals] can and will be challenged as a ‘witch hunt’ leading to legal and public challenges and criticisms. Investigating or criticizing homosexuality will become as politically incorrect as pointing out the military significance of the many real differences between the sexes. The troops will get the message."

That is some serious old school macho thinking right there. When I served, it was often pointed out why women were not allowed to serve in some positions. After years of inequality women can now serve on classes of ships they were previously banned from serving upon.

Times are changing and these scare tactics aren't going to work forever. When my father first joined the Navy, blacks if they served with white service-members it was only in positions such as cooks. When I was in the Navy the sexes were segregated and not allowed to serve on many combat vessels. That is no longer the case in many situations. Black and white service-members proudly serve together in all areas of the military. Women, while segregated to separate berthing areas as when on land, can now serve on a wide variety of ships including the once male dominated aircraft carriers that I served upon.

DADT will eventually be repealed. Pres. Obama made that pledge during his campaign. He again made that commitment to the GLBT community by adding it the the White House's website as one of his civil rights items that he wants to see passed. I just pray that he follows through on his pledge and not allow someone's fear and ignorance of the dignity and honor GLBT service-members will bring to the armed services sway him from making that decision.

A Gay Ex-Sailor's Views on DADT

After Sunday's appearance of Defense Secretary Robert Gates on Fox New Sunday the twittersphere has been abuzz. The topic of conversation that I've been following is the military policy of "don't ask, don't tell" (DADT). The overall consensus is that the current administration has been moving to slow. Secretary Gate's appearance did nothing to alleviate the GLBT community's concern that DADT wasn't going to be erased by Pres. Obama.

After an extended discussion on Twitter with one of my friends, he suggested that had a unique point of view on GLBT service in the military. Which, of course, he's right about that.

First a little history to explain why my friend would say I have a unique perspective on DADT. I am of course gay, and from 1986 - 1989 I was a proud member of the United States Navy. Since DADT wasn't put into place until 1993, I served having to deal with being asked repeatedly if I had ever had sex with another man during the enlistment process. I did what every other gay and lesbian before me had done; I flat out lied.

For the most part after my swearing in ceremony it wasn't an issue. I met a few other gay and lesbian sailors, and even had a few straight friends that knew I was gay. For them it was never an issue. They knew I was never going to make an unwanted pass towards them.

One of my barrack mates and I actually went to San Francisco to visit his family on leave one month. We would go to a gay bar one night and then he would drag me to a strip club the next.

I was enjoying life, and seeing the world thanks to the Navy.

All Men are Created Equal - Well Almost All

Today marks an important milestone in American history. While watching President Barack Obama being sworn into office today, it was all I could do to hold back tears of joy.

This year will mark 233 years since Thomas Jefferson wrote "We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness." Today we've moved closer to the idea that all people are equal.

When Jefferson put pen to paper and drafted the Declaration of Independence there was a thriving slave trade, and the indigenous people of North America were treated as savages. Equality was only offered to white Christian men. Not even women were treated equally.

A lot has changed. Thanks to the courage of a few, a civil rights movement was founded. We now have a President that is far from what has been considered normal for the office. His father is a black man that immigrated here from Kenya. He has a funny name. And I am proud to call him my President.

We are, however, still in the middle of a civil rights struggle. We have not yet reached a point in time were all people are treated equal. Many GLBT citizens are treated in a manner that is far from equal to other citizens of this nation. Many GLBT citizens face the threat of losing their home or job because they have no protection under the law. Many GLBT citizens are denied the right to be in hospital rooms to be with the person they love.

Sure there's a lot of serious issues ahead of us. We have troops on the ground in two wars, and the economy is tanking. If ever there was a time for full equality for every citizen now would be it.

Look at it this way, if the discriminatory policy of "don't ask, don't tell" was overturned that would allow the military to recruit and retain more individuals to help protect us and our Constitution. If ENDA is passed it will help prevent some jobs from being lost.

There's still more that needs to be done even after that for us to live up to the idea that "all men are created equal," and eventually we'll get there. We just can't be lulled into thinking that everything that needs to be done, has been done to achieve equality.

We should take time to enjoy the historical significance of today. Once everything is said and done, we must, however, hold Pres. Obama accountable in his pledge to provide equality for GLBT citizens. By making sure he works towards getting his agenda passed will we come close to achieving what Thomas Jefferson said about mankind.

The Short Answer on Don't Ask, Don't Tell

According the incoming White House Press Secretary Robert Gibbs the short answer is yes when asked if the new administration will get rid of "don't ask, don't tell." I probably being overly cynical about this, but I will believe it when I see it.

Changes on the Horizon

Fasten your seat belts, because it's going to be a bumpy couple of weeks around here.

For the last three years I've been using LivingDot to host this blog. They have been a great hosting provider, but it has come time for us to think about parting way.

Let me make it very clear, I have no complaints about their service. Every time I've had to send a support ticket, they have always been lightening fast about responding to me. I've sent trouble tickets in at all times of the day and night, and there was always someone there to fix my problem. Most of the tickets I've sent them have been requests to upgrade the Movable Type install on the blog, but even the one time I got hacked, they fixed it immediately.

The reason I'm moving this blog is simply due to the ever evolving nature of blogging, and blogging software. When it came time to upgrade my Movable Type install to version 4.1 LivingDot was honest and told me that there could be problems. Boy they were not kidding. It took me about a week to go back and fix some of the custom templates I had created.

Now Movable Type has upgraded to version 4.2. When I sent a support request to upgrade I got the following response from them.

Hello,
Movable Type 4.2 is more strict than Movable Type 4.1 when it comes to custom designed blog templates. We've seen some cases when upgrading from version 4.1 to version 4.2 stopped the blog from rebuilding, or when some plugins had to be disabled or upgraded.

If you have a custom blog design, or use custom plugins, I would proceed with caution simply because upgrading might cause your blog to stop working.

If you have a business/company blog, the recommended course of action is to setup a development environment on your hosting account with a duplicate copy of your Movable Type 4.1 blog. Then upgrade that development environment to Movable Type 4.2 and rebuild your blog. Then make a couple of test posts. If it works - Great! You can now safely upgrade your live environment. On the other hand if your blog doesn't rebuild - it's time to re-check your templates to make them Movable Type 4.2 friendly.

Needless to say, I'm feeling a little lazy and dread a repeat of the 4.1 upgrade. I could ask LivingDot to upgrade the Wordpress install to the latest version, but again I'm feeling a little lazy. I don't want to learn the ins and outs of a different blogging system.

When I had to fix the Movable Type templates after the last upgrade I had checked out Typepad. Both Movable Type and Typepad are properties of Six Apart, so as far as the blogging experience I can't tell a huge difference between MT and Typepad when posting. For that reason, I'm in the process of moving everything over to Typepad.

If you want to check out how the move is going, feel free to see how Queer Musings looks on the Typepad site. I'm going to have to recreate some of the sidebar items, but so far I've got a couple of the biggies done.

I think the biggies problems are going to be with the RSS feeds. Over the next couple of weeks I'll be doing a domain map of Queer Musings to the Typepad install. I'm not sure how that will affect the feeds for Queer Musings. Anyone that subscribes to the feed will probably need to resubscribe.

I'm really excited about the move. One of the biggest selling features that sold me on Typepad was the ability to post while away from my computer. I can either visit m.typepad.com to post, or I can use the Windows Mobile application. I can also now post by e-mail. I'm not sure how much I would use those features, but it is nice to know it's there.

I'm out of here for now. I'll be sure to keep everyone updated on the switch over. Hopefully it won't be too bumpy of a transition.

Don't Ask, Don't Tell, Don't Get Married

Just another reason to get rid of Don't Ask, Don't Tell. GLBT service members are being advised to think long and hard about taking advantage of the new marriage laws in California.

I didn't realize that DADT said a service member "shall be separated from the armed forces" if "the member has married or attempted to marry a person known to be of the same biological sex."

Number of Felons in Military on the Rise

A person can be convicted of theft, drug dealing, or a sex crime before joining the military; but still no gays. Does this make sense to anyone? It doesn't make sense to me.

The information, released Monday by the House Oversight and Government Reform Committee, shows that the number of soldiers admitted to the Army with felony records jumped from 249 in 2006 to 511 in 2007. And the number of Marines with felonies rose from 208 to 350.

Who would the average citizen want coming home from Afghanistan or Iraq, a law abiding gay man or a convicted violent offender? I don't even have to think about my answer. I would want any law abiding citizen coming home from war. The last thing we need is violent criminals coming home with more weapons knowledge than they had before joining the military.

What makes even less sense is that approximately two GLBT service members are released from the military every day. All of this due to the policy of don't ask, don't tell [DADT].

In the 10 years that DADT has been in force more than 10,000 personnel have been discharged as a result of the policy, including 800 with skills deemed 'mission critical,' such as pilots, combat engineers, and linguists.

Where is the logic in kicking out people in mission critical positions? This is just another reason why DADT is not good for the military, or for the fight against the war on terror.

links for 2007-06-19

• Gay Republicans Challenge DADT In Federal Court
  While I sometimes wonder about the Log Cabin Republicans, I am glad to see that they are fighting the good fight for GLBT rights when it comes to "Don't Ask, Don't Tell."
  (tags: Gay GLBT News Queer)
• BBC NEWS | Entertainment | The man behind Dame Edna Everage
  The Dame is now a CBE of The Order of the British Empire. Not being a citizen on the UK, Barry Humbphries can't be called Sir, but still this is an honor befitting a drag performer.
  (tags: British News UK)
• Absinthe Arrives in New York, and We Start Drinking It Immediately - Grub Street - New York Magazine
  The green fairy makes a return to the states. I've had the oppurtunity to try absinthe once. Only had one glass so I didn't have any crazy hallucinations. Might have to fly up to the Big Apple and grab me a bottle to try it again.
  (tags: Absinthe Liquor)