Gays May Win “Most Effective Activist” Award When It Comes to Obama
“Whatever it was, many lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender Americans had had enough.”
“Whatever it was, many lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender Americans had had enough.”
Dan Choi, among other LGBT activists in Russia, were detained this weekend after being attacked by neo-Nazis and police.
“My breakdown was a result of a cumulative array of stressors but there is no doubt that the composite betrayals felt on Thursday, by elected leaders and gay organizations as well as many who have exploited my name for their marketing purposes have added to the result. I am certain my experience is not an isolated incident within the gay veteran community.”
Zero percent of teens with lesbian parents report instances of abuse; probably this means everyone should have two moms, like Riese. Also: You can get married over Skype now, Dan Choi is eloquent on Veterans/Remembrance Day, and meeting Autostraddlers and making friends will make you happy.
How far is our group from that fever pitch of anger and refusal to wait any longer that brings things –and people like Dan Choi — to a boil? It’s the most painful point of all. But also, potentially, the most sad and the most powerful. A look at Dan Choi’s Village Voice cover story, “Bad Lieutenant.”
As of today, the military still can’t enforce Don’t Ask Don’t Tell, and are forced to allow gays and lesbians to enlist – but with the Obama administration still fighting the ruling, there’s no telling how long that will last.
Over the weekend, Dan Choi (recently discharged under Don’t Ask Don’t Tell) approached Senator Harry Reid with a letter reminding him of his obligations to gay and lesbian American soldiers and delivering him his West Point ring to drive home the point. We have video coverage of their encounter and GetEqual’s protest, as well as the full text of Choi’s letter.
Lt. Dan Choi got the news today that he has been officially honorably discharged from the US military under Don’t Ask Don’t Tell. Next stop? “I haven’t done a lot to hold my parents’ hands through all of this. My inclination right now is to go home.”
It’s the middle of summer which means it’s the perfect time to brush up on your survey-constructing skills for all your social science classes next year. Let’s get this party started with the as-promised complete breakdown of the Department of Defense’s latest oeuvre, the DADT survey!
Lt. Dan Choi shares his feelings about the DADT compromise and announces a controversial hunger strike, which we have a lot of feelings about. Also; VFW refuses trans member, Elena Kagan gets Sandra Day’s support and India aims to prevent gay & lesbians from using surrogate parents.
The White House has given its support to an official compromise on the repeal of DADT. It will happen this year – sort of! Get the rundown here. Constance’s school district denies misleading her to the wrong prom, some ‘encouraging statistics’, and Harvey Milk Day was super fun!
The long hard march towards a DADT repeal continues, as do the chained-to-the-white-house-fence arrests — and Defense Secretary Gates saying repealing DADT would be a bad idea. Also, potential progress for gays in immigration reform and Olson and Boies get the shoutout they deserve!
Lt. Dan Choi, along with five other veterans and GetEqual protesters, had a lot of feelings yesterday. Obama’s speech is interrupted by “hollering” gay activists. Is this a defining moment for the gay rights movement as activism takes a new turn? Where does the good go? What do you think happens next?
Obama responds to DADT protesters interrupting a recent speech, Dan Choi has chained himself to the White House fence again, and we don’t know how to feel. Plus, an Arkansas judge has overturned the law banning adoption by gay or unmarried people, two men are being held in the death of a gay professor, and gay divorce is the flipside of the gay marriage fight.
Obama is eyeing Elena Kagan among others to replace Stevens on the Supreme Court and the lesbian rumors are a’flyin’. Oh look everyone is still mad at the Pope! Cyndi Lauper is helping gay youth in Harlem, Dan Choi brings gay Arabic linguist wisdom to Texas A&M, protests in LA. Also, the search for justice for the Aligarh Muslim University professor, and should gay employers be out to their employees?
A ruling is made in the case of Constance McMillen and the heteronormative prom and Newsweek interviews Dan Choi about his new radical stance on political action. Prop 8 opponents have to give show the other side internal emails and memos, which could push back the verdict on the Prop 8 trial. Also: two Malawi men arrested for getting engaged go on trial soon, and Lambda Legal is challenging for same-sex marriage in NJ.
Dan Choi was arrested at the White House today after he chained himself to the White House gates to protest Don’t Ask Don’t Tell during an HRC Rally. Oh, and Kathy Griffin gave a speech and made some jokes.
Get a sticker and queer the census, or go without education and health care. Just saying, it’s up to you. Patraeus says the time has come to repeal DADT. Also; just like kids in middle school, more and more seniors are daring to come out as queer or trans. Even more legal analysis of the Prop 8 trial and what it all means! Plus, a lesbian couple was granted a marriage license in CA because of regressive gender laws, and you can get married at Mt. Everest!
It’s DADT News, and we’ve got good news and bad news. Dan Choi has been called back to active duty! Yes, really! Autostraddle catches up with DADT discharge Lissa Young for her reaction to last week’s hearing (“exhilarating and infuriating.”) Study shows black women disproportionately discharged under DADT (and the affects of all anti-gay laws hit the black community harder). Also; Iowans and New Jersey on gay marriage actions/reactions, Rhode Island’s gay marriage bill and more on Judge Walker.
2009 was hands down totes The Year of the Weirdo. What does 2010 hold for our top 20 Autostraddle Icons? WHO WON?
Here’s our roundup of the biggest, best, and worst events for gay people in 2009.