Defense chief giving 'don't ask, don't tell' a closer look

By Barbara Starr
CNN Pentagon Correspondent

WASHINGTON (CNN) -- For the first time, U.S. Defense Secretary Robert Gates is outlining potential Obama administration plans to enforce the "don't ask, don't tell" rule selectively so that some gays could serve in the military.

U.S. Defense Secretary Robert Gates says there may be flexibility in applying "don't ask, don't tell."

Gates said he is looking at ways to make the policy "more humane," including letting people serve who may have been outed due to vengeance or a jilted lover. The remarks appeared in a transcript the Pentagon released Tuesday.

In addition, Capt. John Kirby, spokesman for Adm. Michael Mullen, chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, said Wednesday the chairman "supports the idea of a less draconian way of enforcing the policy."

Instituted in 1993, "don't ask, don't tell" ended the military's practice of asking potential service members if they are gay, but it requires the dismissal of openly gay service members.

Gates told reporters traveling with him, "One of the things we're looking at -- is there flexibility in how we apply this law?"

Defense chief giving 'don't ask, don't tell' a closer look - CNN.com

The picnic itself went fairly well. I am SO deeply grateful for all of the wonderful people in the area. I had been worried that Pittsburgh having their Pride stuff that week, including something that evening, would be a conflict, but we actually had a few more people than last year. We had about 330 people or so, which is the most folks at a local pride ever! (Counting the 90’s and forward. There were some big events back in the 1970’s before the other large cities had their own events well established.)

The Stonewall Celebration at the UU this morning was fantastic and incredibly moving. There were several times during the service that I was close to tears. I was particularly close when Jeremy (who was one of the cooks yesterday and who did a HUGE amount of great work!) read a bit about honoring our Queer ancestors. It was sort of based on a Pagan charge that I have always loved. Jeremy’s other half, Eric, looked over from across the room and noticed that I was very close to losing it. Jeremy concluded with a “Blessed be!” and I responded in kind. I visited with folks at the coffee hour afterward.

I am taking tomorrow off to tie up loose ends. Tired but wow, am I ever lucky to have so many great people. Deeply grateful for all the reasons for joy in my life!

I feel like it went okay. I passed along info about other Christian folks in the area that he could also contact.

In May, when the California Supreme Court ruled that the voters’ ban on homosexual marriages should stand, that decision reverberated around the nation, sending a major blow to same-sex couples pursuing legal marriage. 

These two street signs in Nashville reveal the irony of the relationship between gays and the Christian Church. – TRIBUNE FILE PHOTO

Many in the conservative Christian community rejoiced and applauded the court’s ruling. The issue of same-sex marriages has polarized and created contentious reactions from both Christians and gays, which begs the question: Can homosexuals and the Christian community coexist?

“We (Christians) are obligated to love people, but it’s OK that we can disagree. In America, there’s a misperception that we are homophobic. We have a responsibility and right to share a Biblical viewpoint on the issue. Our first allegiance is to the Lord Jesus Christ,” said the Rev. Kimberlee Johnson, director of the Center for Urban Youth Development at Eastern University in St. Davids.

Mike Mahler, the co-editor of the Erie Gay News, offered, "Of course gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgendered (GLBT) people and the Christian community can coexist. I know gay people who are quite active with their churches and I also know straight people within the Christian community who passionately believe that justice and equality for all of God's children is very much a part of Jesus' message."

… read the rest of the article here.

Gay-religious harmony exists despite tensions

But the big idea is that he spoke up for equality, and that is great and praise-worthy!

It's not surprising when Vice President Dick Cheney disagrees with President Obama. But it is surprising when he takes a more progressive position than the president.
Said Cheney: "I think that freedom means freedom for everyone. As many of you know, one of my daughters is gay, and it is something we have lived with for a long time in our family. I think people ought to be free to enter into any kind of union they wish. Any kind of arrangement they wish. The question of whether or not there ought to be a federal statute to protect this, I don't support. I do believe that... historically the way marriage has been regulated is at the state level. It has always been a state issue and I think that is the way it ought to be handled, on a state-by-state basis... But I don't have any problem with that. People ought to get a shot at that."

Cheney Supports Gay Marriage
Mon, 01 Jun 2009 20:39:54 GMT

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Erie Gay News has been running a contest about every week or so, and it looks like we will be able to keep that up for at least a while. I worked on some code to enhance the page after folks enter to display current and upcoming contests. I am also working on some other enhancements for contest sponsors.

I was out at the Zone on Friday and catching up with some friends. I was chatting with the ever-delightful Season (“Come for the cleavage, stay for the sarcasm” as she recently quipped) and she mentioned that someone said that because she is letting her hair go back to its natural blonde, that she looks like a blonde in front and a brunette from behind. Her husband, Chris, remarked, “It’s like a threesome – without having to buy two dinners!”

I got a call from WJET TV 24, who wanted to do a story. I had guessed that it was likely that local news would want some reaction. I thought that they did a fairly good story, which you can read here (and which includes video.)

They asked about other people to speak to, and I went through the lists. The camera guy mentioned about his former neighbor, and I asked who it was. He said it was Janice Hanusik, and I mentally slapped myself for not having thought of Janice before. I gave her a call, and she was up for it. Yay! I am glad that they led in the story with her. I think that she made some great points, and it is really important for people to hear from people who are in relationships and denied equality. I obviously disagree with the minister that they had speaking, but he was at least respectful.

I am mentally kicking myself for not having brought up the point that clergy/churches would not be required to perform marriage ceremonies. This is EXACTLY what the case is today. If a nice Catholic guy wanted to marry a nice Jewish girl at a Methodist church, the church is perfectly free to refuse, but they are not allowed to prevent the couple from having a civil ceremony. Many people confuse civil marriage with a religious ceremony. It’s not. Heterosexual couples that are Atheist, Agnostic or not tied to a particular religious tradition can get married today. Equal marriage rights for same sex couple would be the same thing.

Oddly enough, when I was driving back to work, I went by just as Janice was letting out the reporter and camera guy after the interview.

Can we just agree that if you are known as Madonna and you are involved with someone named Jesus that at least one of you needs a name change before going through with a public ceremony?

Madonna and lover Jesus to swap vows in Kabbalah service

EXCLUSIVE by Kate Mansey 10/05/2009

Madonna and her toyboy lover Jesus are planning a “commitment ceremony” in New York.

The queen of pop and Brazilian model Jesus Luz will take part in a service in front of a rabbi at the Kabbalah Centre in Manhattan.

Friends said Madonna, 50, and the 22-year-old model decided they wanted to take a new step in their relationship after her bid to adopt a Malawi orphan failed.

Jesus has already converted from Catholicism to the Kabbalah religion as a mark of his commitment to the singer.

...

Madonna and lover Jesus to swap vows in Kabbalah service - mirror.co.uk