Navy Tells Sailors Discharged Under ‘DADT’ to Appeal and Have Their Records Changed

The U.S. Navy Secretary is urging sailors and marines discharged under the military’s “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell” to formally appeal those decisions and have their records changed, the Navy Times reports:

“If you were discharged under ‘Don’t ask, don’t tell,’ come in,” Navy Secretary Ray Mabus said in a June 8 speech at a Pentagon event for Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender Pride Month. “The Board of Corrections for Naval Records will take a look at changing that discharge characterization … If you have colleagues that were discharged under that, ask them to come in — if it’s under the regulations, get that discharge characterization changed.”

Since opening the service to gays and lesbians in 2011, the Navy has granted 123 discharge upgrades out of 413 requests, according to Defense Department data.

That includes relief from both BCNR and the Navy Discharge Review Board — 107 and 183 requests granted, respectively. That’s out of more than 4,300 sailors and 1,300 Marines who were kicked out during DADT, from 1993 to 2011, according to Navy Department statistics.

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President Obama Celebrates Stonewall National Monument, LGBT Progress in Weekly Address: WATCH

President Obama used his weekly address this week to discuss yesterday’s historic designation of the Stonewall Inn and its surroundings as the Stonewall National Monument.

Said Obama:

The story of America is a story of progress.  It’s written by ordinary people who put their shoulders to the wheel of history to make sure that the promise of our founding applies not just to some of us – but to all of us.

Farmers and blacksmiths who chose revolution over tyranny.  Immigrants who crossed oceans and the Rio Grande.  Women who reached for the ballot, and scientists who shot for the moon.  The preachers, and porters, and seamstresses who guided us toward the mountaintop of freedom. 

Sometimes, we can mark that progress in special places – hallowed ground where history was written – places like Independence Hall.  Gettysburg.  Seneca Falls.  Kitty Hawk and Cape Canaveral.  The Edmund Pettus Bridge.

One of these special places is the Stonewall Inn.  Back in 1969, as a turbulent decade was winding down, the Stonewall Inn was a popular gathering place for New York City’s LGBT community.  At the time, being gay, lesbian, bisexual, or transgender was considered obscene, illegal – even a mental illness.

One night, police raided the bar, and started arresting folks.  Raids like these were nothing new – but this time, the patrons had had enough. So they stood up, and spoke out, and over the course of the next several days, they refused to be silenced.  The riots became protests; the protests became a movement; the movement ultimately became an integral part of America. 

Over the past seven years, we’ve seen achievements that would have been unimaginable to the folks who, knowingly or not, started the modern LGBT movement at Stonewall.  Today, all Americans are protected by a hate crimes law that includes sexual orientation and gender identity.  “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell” is history.  Insurance companies can no longer turn you away because of who you are.  Transgender Americans are more visible than ever, helping to make our nation more inclusive and welcoming for all.  And one year ago this weekend, we lit the White House in every color – because in every state in America, you’re now free to marry the person you love.

There’s still work to do.  As we saw two weeks ago in Orlando, the LGBT community still faces real discrimination, real violence, real hate.  So we can’t rest.  We’ve got to keep pushing for equality and acceptance and tolerance.

But the arc of our history is clear – it’s an arc of progress.  And a lot of that progress can be traced back to Stonewall.  So this week, I’m designating the Stonewall National Monument as the newest addition to America’s national parks system.  Stonewall will be our first national monument to tell the story of the struggle for LGBT rights.  I believe our national parks should reflect the full story of our country – the richness and diversity and uniquely American spirit that has always defined us.  That we are stronger together.  That out of many, we are one.  That’s what makes us the greatest nation on earth.  And it’s what we celebrate at Stonewall – for our generation and for all those who come after us.

Thanks everybody, and have a great weekend.

Watch:

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Restore the Voting Rights Act

Three years ago, the Supreme Court of the United States gutted the Voting Rights Act of 1965 (VRA) in Shelby County v. Holder, and in five months America will vote in the first presidential election in 50 years without full Voting Rights Act protections.  The consequences could be far reaching affecting the make up of Congress, state legislatures, and even the Supreme Court itself.

The VRA has been hailed as one of the most important pieces of American legislation – a true Congressional landmark. Banning racial discrimination in voting, it ensured that state and municipal governments were prohibited from passing legislation that would deny Americans the equal right to vote regardless of their race. Since its initial passage, Congress has amended the VRA 5 times to expand its protections. However, on June 23, 2013 the Supreme Court ruled 5-4 that Section 4(b) of the VRA was unconstitutional.

Section 4(b) of the VRA contained the coverage formula which was the basis for determining which jurisdictions were subject to a federal court review of any changes to state voting laws, known as preclearance, as required by Section 5 of the VRA. While the Court did not touch Section 5, removing the formula within Section 4(b) effectively allowed states and local governments to bypass federal preclearance before implementing any changes to their voting rights laws or practices.

Within the past three years 17 states have passed laws that infringe on the right to vote. These laws have ranged from strict photo ID requirements to restrictions on where and when voters can register and vote. For perspective, over 16 million registered voters in the U.S. lack a current government-issued photo ID. LGBTQ people of color, LGBTQ youth and transgender Americas are among those most affected by a weakened voting rights law. Transgender people are particularly vulnerable to voting discrimination and disenfranchisement due primarily to challenges around valid identification documents. In addition, many LGBTQ people face compounded discrimination based on other characteristics, including race, age and socio-economic status. These vulnerabilities weaken the entire community’s voting power.

At a time where the LGBTQ community is experiencing tremendous legislative backlash, we must continue to work with our coalition partners to restore the Voting Rights Act.  The strength of the LGBTQ community, our legal protections and our democracy depends on nothing less. 

www.hrc.org/blog/restore-the-voting-rights-act?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss-feed

President Obama on Why He Made Stonewall a Landmark

The president’s legacy will include designating the first LGBT monument.

www.advocate.com/politics/2016/6/25/president-obama-why-he-made-stonewall-landmark

The Advocate's Orlando Cover: 'Remember'

The Advocate will be honored as part of Logo’s Trailblazer Honors tonight.

www.advocate.com/current-issue/2016/6/25/advocates-orlando-cover-remember

Open Your Mind to Gender as a Spectrum

www.advocate.com/books/2016/6/25/open-your-mind-gender-spectrum