DOCSLIB.ORG

Servicemembers Legal Defense Network

Total Page：16

File Type：pdf, Size：1020Kb

Download full-text PDF Read full-text
Servicemembers Legal Defense Network Servicemembers Legal Defense Network THE SURVIVAL GUIDE A COMPREHENSIVE GUIDE TO “DON’T ASK, DON’T TELL” AND RELATED MILITARY POLICIES FIFTH EDITION 2007 # ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS Servicemembers Legal Defense Network (SLDN) would like to acknowledge the authors and editors of this edition of the Survival Guide: Sharon Alexander, Sharra E. Greer, and Kathi S. Westcott. We would also acknowledge the contributors to this edition: Emily Hecht, Aaron Tax, Matt Rudolphi, Spencer Layton, Sean Rowley, Amy Bivins, Steve Lessard, Mischere Kawas, Rebecca Sawyer, James Burke, Heather Sarver and Sadie Davis. SLDN would also like to acknowledge the following contributors for their work on the previous editions: Lara Ballard, Michelle M. Benecke, Jeffery M. Cleghorn, Michael Gaffney, Kathleen Gilberd, Paula M. Neira, Steve Ralls, C. Dixon Osburn, Bridget Wilson and David Young. Lastly, SLDN gratefully acknowledges the assistance of the Stanford Public Interest Law Foundation in funding the production of previous editions of this Survival Guide. Photography by Judy G. Rolfe. Service member images by section: I. Martin Chin, Maj., USAF (Former); II. Galen Grant, CPT, USA (Former); III. Austin Rooke, CPT, USA (Former); IV. Lee Quillian, CPO, USN (Retired); V. Brian Fricke, Sgt, USMC (Former); VI. Lauren Brown, Amn, USAF (Former); VII. Steve May, 1LT, USAR (Retired); VIII. David A. Hall, SSgt, USAF (Former); IX. Jason Daniel Knight, PO2, USN (Former); X. Frank Kameny, PFC , USA (Former); XI. Denise Liggett, Cpl, USMC (Former), ENS, USNR (Former); XII. Vance Coleman, MG, USA (Retired). Design by Audrey Denson, densondesign.com. # DEDICATION To those who have served and continue to serve faithfully in enforced silence to secure for America the freedom that is denied to them. # Copyright: Prepared by the Servicemembers Legal Defense Network. All rights reserved. For permis - sion to reproduce all or portions of this Survival Guide for other than personal use, please contact Servicemembers Legal Defense Network. Copyright © 2007 Servicemembers Legal Defense Network SERVICEMEMBERS LEGAL DEFENSE NETWORK A VISION. Freedom to Serve A MISSION. SLDN is a national, non-profit legal services, watchdog and policy organization dedicated to ending discrimination against and harassment of military personnel affected by Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell and related forms of intolerance. GOALS FOR FREEDOM. Lift the ban preventing gays, lesbians and bisexuals from serving openly and honestly in the military. Provide free legal services to service members harmed by Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell and related, discriminatory policies. Protect service members from harassment based on perceived sexual orientation or gender identity. Advocate for policies and practices that improve the lives of service members. Support service member and veteran pride as lesbian, gay, bisexual or transgender persons. Strengthen organizational capacity to assure the freedom to serve in the most cost-effective, strategic fashion. Please send comments, additions and suggestions about this guide to [email protected] I. ABOUT THE SURVIVAL GUIDE . 1 S T N E T II. SERVICE MEMBERS’ LEGAL RIGHTS . 3 N O C F III. FREE LEGAL HELP . 5 O E L B A IV. AN OVERVIEW OF “DON’T ASK, DON’T TELL” . 7 T A. The History of the Law . 7 B. The “Don’ts” in “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell, Don’t Pursue, Don’t Harass” . 8 C. The Three Things That Will Get You Discharged . 9 1. Statements . 10 2. Acts . 10 3. Marriage . 11 D. Important Articles of the Uniform Code of Military Justice (UCMJ) . 11 1. Article 31 – The Right to Remain Silent . 11 2. Article 125 – Sodomy . 11 3. Articles 133 and 134 – Conduct Unbecoming, General Article . 12 V. WHO IS AFFECTED BY “DON’T ASK, DON’T TELL” . 13 A. Active Duty . 13 B. Reserve Personnel . 14 C. National Guard Members . 14 D. Individual Ready Reserves (IRR) . 14 E. Civil Air Patrol, United States Coast Guard Auxiliary and State Defense Forces . 14 i F. National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) and E D I Public Health Service (PHS) . 15 U G G. Merchant Marines . 15 L A V I H. Students . 15 V R U 1. Delayed Entry Program (DEP) . 15 S 2. Service Academies . 15 • K 3. Junior Reserve Officers Training Corps (JROTC) . 15 R O 4. Reserve Officer Training Corps (ROTC) . 16 W T E I. Transgender Individuals . 16 N E 1. Enlistment / Appointment / Commissioning . 16 S N E 2. Currently Serving Members . 16 F E 3. Members of the IRR . 17 D L A J. Military Retirees and Veterans . 17 G E K. Civilian Department of Defense Employees . 18 L S R E B VI. TIPS ON SERVING IN THE CLOSET . 19 M E A. Low Risk Activities and Actions . 19 M E C 1. Association with “Known Homosexuals” . 19 I V R 2. Frequenting Gay Bars, Possessing Gay Publications, Attending E S Pride and Other Gay Events . 19 B. Actions Likely to Result in Discharge . 20 1. Engaging in Homosexual Acts . 20 2. Possessing or Appearing in Pornography . 20 3. Inappropriate or Unapproved use of Computers . 21 4. Internet Usage and Online Profiles . 22 5. Use of Non-confidential Phones, Cellular Phones and Camera Phones . 22 C. Common Situations that Raise Risks for Gay Service Members . 23 1. Inspections of Rooms, Personal Property and Vehicles . 23 2. Daily Conversations and Questions about Private Lives . 23 3. Facing Anti-Gay Harassment and Threats . 23 4. Sexual Harassment of Women . 25 5. Extortion and Blackmail . 25 6. Undergoing a Security Clearance Investigation . 26 7. AWOL (Absence Without Leave) / UA (Unauthorized Absence) . 27 8. Safely Making Complaints . 27 9. Doctors and Psychotherapists . 29 10. HIV/AIDS . 30 11. Military Chaplains . 31 12. Interactions with Civilian Police . 32 D. Family Situations - Parents, Partners and Children . 32 1. Records of Commitment and Marriage . 33 2. Emergency Situations . 33 3. Insurance Beneficiaries . 34 4. Pregnancy and Adoption . 35 5. Breaking Up . 36 VII. “DON’T ASK, DON’T TELL” INVESTIGATIONS AND DISCHARGE PROCESS . 37 A. “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell” Inquiries and Investigations . ..
Load more

Recommended publications
  • Accelerating Acceptance 2016
    Accelerating Acceptance 2016 A Harris Poll survey of Americans’ acceptance of LGBT people 1 GLAAD’s“ findings point to a culture of Accelerating complacency, wherein Acceptance 2016 the non-LGBT public is under the false and Introduction potentially dangerous 2015 represented an especially historic year in the movement impression that for LGBT equality, with the Supreme Court’s landmark ruling in Obergefell v. Hodges, which guaranteed same-sex couples the right the work for LGBT to marry nationwide. Notwithstanding the American public has grown well beyond majority status in support for marriage equality equality is done. and we have reached what TIME Magazine called the “transgender tipping point,” GLAAD’s recent survey results, conducted by Harris Poll, reveal that other key, yet perhaps more nuanced attitudes about LGBT people are lagging and the cause of Accelerating “ Acceptance in 2016 and beyond must continue. With the monumental progress achieved for marriage equality also comes a misperception that LGBT people are now fully equal in the eyes of the law. For example, half of non-LGBT Americans (50%) currently believe that “gay people have the same rights as everybody else,” GLAAD’s survey reveals. GLAAD’s findings point to a culture of complacency, wherein the non-LGBT public is under the false and potentially dangerous impression that the work for LGBT equality is done. Yet, GLAAD’s survey also reveals that slow but steady progress is being made for acceptance of LGBT people. In many of the ‘comfortability’ questions central to GLAAD’s Accelerating Acceptance survey, non-LGBT Americans report significantly less discomfort than was reported in 2014.
    [Show full text]
  • UPPER MARKET AREAS November 27Th
    ANNUAL EVENTS International AIDS Candlelight Memorial About Castro / Upper Market 3rd Sunday in May Harvey Milk Day May 22nd Frameline Film Festival / S.F. LGBT International Film Festival June, www.frameline.org S.F. LGBT Pride/Pink Saturday Last weekend in June www.sfpride.org / www.thesisters.org Leather Week/Folsom Street Fair End of September www.folsomstreetevents.org Castro Street Fair 1st Sunday in October HISTORIC+LGBT SIGHTS www.castrostreetfair.org IN THE CASTRO/ Harvey Milk & George Moscone Memorial March & Candlelight Vigil UPPER MARKET AREAS November 27th Film Festivals throughout the year at the iconic Castro Theatre www.castrotheatre.com Castro/Upper Market CBD 584 Castro St. #336 San Francisco, CA 94114 P 415.500.1181 F 415.522.0395 [email protected] castrocbd.org @visitthecastro facebook.com/castrocbd Eureka Valley/Harvey Milk Memorial Branch Library and Mission Dolores (AKA Mission San Francisco de Asis, The Best of Castro / Upper Market José Sarria Court (1 José Sarria Court at 16th and 320 Dolores St. @ 16th St.) Built between 1785 and Market Streets) Renamed in honor of Milk in 1981, the library 1791, this church with 4-foot thick adobe walls is the oldest houses a special collection of GLBT books and materials, and building in San Francisco. The construction work was done by Harvey Milk Plaza/Giant Rainbow Flag (Castro & Harvey Milk’s Former Camera Shop (575 Castro St.) Gay often has gay-themed history and photo displays in its lobby. Native Americans who made the adobe bricks and roof tiles Market Sts) This two-level plaza has on the lower level, a activist Harvey Milk (1930-1978) had his store here and The plaza in front of the library is named José Sarria Court in by hand and painted the ceiling and arches with Indian small display of photos and a plaque noting Harvey Milk’s lived over it.
    [Show full text]
  • Download the Playbook
    A Guide for Reporting SOUTHERN on LGBT People in STORIES South Carolina WE ARE A PROUD SPONSOR OF THE GLAAD SOUTHERN STORIES PROGRAM 800.789.5401 MGBWHOME.COM GLAAD Southern Stories A Guide for Reporting on LGBT People in South Carolina Getting Started 4 Terms and Definitions 5 South Carolina’s LGBT History 6 When GLAAD’s Accelerating Acceptance report revealed that levels of discomfort towards the LGBT community are as high as 43% in Terms to Avoid 10 America—and spike to 61% in the South—we knew we had to act. To accelerate LGBT acceptance in the U.S. South, GLAAD is telling the stories of LGBT people from across the region through our Southern Stories program. We are amplifying stories of LGBT people who are resilient in the face of inequality and Defamatory Language 11 adversity, and building a culture in which they are able not only to survive, but also to thrive. These are impactful stories with the power to change hearts and minds, but they are too often missed or ignored altogether. In South Carolina, the LGBT community is Best Practices in Media Coverage 12 making sure and steady progress, but the work to achieve full equality and acceptance is far from done. More and more, South Carolina sees communities of faith opening their arms to LGBT people; public officials listening to families, workers, and tax payers Pitfalls to Avoid as they voice their need for equal protections; 13 students creating supportive, inclusive spaces; and allies standing up for their LGBT friends, family members, and neighbors.
    [Show full text]
  • Safe Zone Ally Manual
    Safe Zone Ally Manual 2012 1 Dear Safe Zone Ally, Welcome to the Safe Zone Program! Your willingness to serve as an advocate and visible resource for the lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender (LGBT) community at the Houston Community College (HCC) is greatly appreciated! This resource guide has been designed to help you in accurately responding to the needs of the students, faculty, administrators, or staff who seek your assistance. Though it only represents a fraction of the information available on LGBT issues, you are encouraged to familiarize yourself with the contents as it will inform you on your role as an ally in the Safe Zone program. This resource guide is an ongoing project; therefore it is essential that you forward new and pertinent information to the Allies at any time. It is our hope that you will display your Safe Zone symbol with pride, for you are advancing the mission of the college by creating and maintaining a more inclusive campus environment for all members of the campus community. We owe a special debt of gratitude to Julie Smith of University of Houston-Clear Lake for allowing us free access to materials and information depicted in this handbook. Office of Institutional Equity 713 718-8271 (on behalf of the HCC Diversity Council) 2 Last updated December, 2011 Table of Contents Section 1: HCC Safe Zone Program ……………………………………………………………………………………………………………(pg 5) Introduction & Program Mission Program Goals Safe Zone Ally Contract Ally Removal Process Withdrawal from Program Process Section 2: Being an Ally ……………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………(pg
    [Show full text]
  • Media Reference Guide
    media reference guide NINTH EDITION | AUGUST 2014 GLAAD MEDIA REFERENCE GUIDE / 1 GLAAD MEDIA CONTACTS National & Local News Media Sports Media [email protected] [email protected] Entertainment Media Religious Media [email protected] [email protected] Spanish-Language Media GLAAD Spokesperson Inquiries [email protected] [email protected] Transgender Media [email protected] glaad.org/mrg 2 / GLAAD MEDIA REFERENCE GUIDE TABLE OF CONTENTS INTRODUCTION FAIR, ACCURATE & INCLUSIVE 4 GLOSSARY OF TERMS / LANGUAGE LESBIAN / GAY / BISEXUAL 5 TERMS TO AVOID 9 TRANSGENDER 12 AP & NEW YORK TIMES STYLE 21 IN FOCUS COVERING THE BISEXUAL COMMUNITY 25 COVERING THE TRANSGENDER COMMUNITY 27 MARRIAGE 32 LGBT PARENTING 36 RELIGION & FAITH 40 HATE CRIMES 42 COVERING CRIMES WHEN THE ACCUSED IS LGBT 45 HIV, AIDS & THE LGBT COMMUNITY 47 “EX-GAYS” & “CONVERSION THERAPY” 46 LGBT PEOPLE IN SPORTS 51 DIRECTORY OF COMMUNITY RESOURCES 54 GLAAD MEDIA REFERENCE GUIDE / 3 INTRODUCTION Fair, Accurate & Inclusive Fair, accurate and inclusive news media coverage has played an important role in expanding public awareness and understanding of lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) lives. However, many reporters, editors and producers continue to face challenges covering these issues in a complex, often rhetorically charged, climate. Media coverage of LGBT people has become increasingly multi-dimensional, reflecting both the diversity of our community and the growing visibility of our families and our relationships. As a result, reporting that remains mired in simplistic, predictable “pro-gay”/”anti-gay” dualisms does a disservice to readers seeking information on the diversity of opinion and experience within our community. Misinformation and misconceptions about our lives can be corrected when journalists diligently research the facts and expose the myths (such as pernicious claims that gay people are more likely to sexually abuse children) that often are used against us.
    [Show full text]
  • Matlovich Society (Winter 1991-1992)
    University of Southern Maine USM Digital Commons Matlovich Society Periodicals Winter 1991 Matlovich Society (Winter 1991-1992) Matlovich Society Follow this and additional works at: https://digitalcommons.usm.maine.edu/matlovich Part of the American Studies Commons, and the Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, and Transgender Studies Commons Recommended Citation Matlovich Society, "Matlovich Society (Winter 1991-1992)" (1991). Matlovich Society. 1. https://digitalcommons.usm.maine.edu/matlovich/1 This Book is brought to you for free and open access by the Periodicals at USM Digital Commons. It has been accepted for inclusion in Matlovich Society by an authorized administrator of USM Digital Commons. For more information, please contact [email protected]. Supporter Membership Dues Individuals 20.00 Partners 30.00 Organizations 40.00 Limited income 10.00 Supporter $100.00 Patron 250.00 Benefactor 500.00 Lifetime 1000.00 MEETINGS ARE FREE AND OPEN TO THE PUBLIC. YOU DO NOT HAVE TO BE A MEMBER TO AnEND. v,z 0 q ~ 0 z -q ?- 0 0 Q) .,, Q Q) \I ·- Q) c 0 ••a. ·-0 "'0 ~ ~"' N -\I \I c .,,... Q) c Ty -~ • 0 - c Ill •0 ::::, ..,-· -•... ~ 0 l:G 0 i E .::: A. Q) .. - u ... ~ .!! ca: ::::, N .... •• Q q • .2 .!! Ill ... 0 Q a.0 "' c °' a. 0 ~ ::::, .,, a • j! "' "'0 0 • Q) a: •c •• ::c ~ 0 - .,,·­- • P.O. Box 942 • Portland, Maine 04104 ; .. "'Q) -..Q) ::::, -·-0 (207) 773-4444 FAX:(207) 774-0775 - Q) - ..... c 0 v, ~ -;; E .,, ~ 0 Ill::::, .,, ·- ~ ~ ~i ca: u A. - Q IT IS WITH GREAT PLEASURE Background Hundredsof years of religious fundamentalists WINTER CALENDAR '91 /92 calling homosexuality "unspeakable" have kept us THE MATLOVICH SOCIETY ~rom _using our v'?ices and telling our history, 1solat1ng us, sometm~es turning _our anger against ourselves and making us believe, like abused children , that we are responsible for our own 12 December: Lois Reckitt: Legislative Choir, Moine victim ization .
    [Show full text]
  • GLAAD Where We Are on TV (2020-2021)
    WHERE WE ARE ON TV 2020 – 2021 WHERE WE ARE ON TV 2020 – 2021 Where We Are on TV 2020 – 2021 2 WHERE WE ARE ON TV 2020 – 2021 CONTENTS 4 From the office of Sarah Kate Ellis 7 Methodology 8 Executive Summary 10 Summary of Broadcast Findings 14 Summary of Cable Findings 17 Summary of Streaming Findings 20 Gender Representation 22 Race & Ethnicity 24 Representation of Black Characters 26 Representation of Latinx Characters 28 Representation of Asian-Pacific Islander Characters 30 Representation of Characters With Disabilities 32 Representation of Bisexual+ Characters 34 Representation of Transgender Characters 37 Representation in Alternative Programming 38 Representation in Spanish-Language Programming 40 Representation on Daytime, Kids and Family 41 Representation on Other SVOD Streaming Services 43 Glossary of Terms 44 About GLAAD 45 Acknowledgements 3 WHERE WE ARE ON TV 2020 – 2021 From the Office of the President & CEO, Sarah Kate Ellis For 25 years, GLAAD has tracked the presence of lesbian, of our work every day. GLAAD and Proctor & Gamble gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer (LGBTQ) characters released the results of the first LGBTQ Inclusion in on television. This year marks the sixteenth study since Advertising and Media survey last summer. Our findings expanding that focus into what is now our Where We Are prove that seeing LGBTQ characters in media drives on TV (WWATV) report. Much has changed for the LGBTQ greater acceptance of the community, respondents who community in that time, when our first edition counted only had been exposed to LGBTQ images in media within 12 series regular LGBTQ characters across both broadcast the previous three months reported significantly higher and cable, a small fraction of what that number is today.
    [Show full text]
  • Annual Report 2018-2019
    FY18 ANNUAL REPORT ALL OF US TOGETHER 2 GLAAD 02 Key GLAAD Initiatives ANNUAL REPORT 03 Mission Statement FY18 05 President & CEO’s Message 06 Jan-Sept 2018 Highlights KEY 10 News & Rapid Response ACCOMPLISHMENTS 12 GLAAD Media Institute (GMI) 14 Spanish-Language and Latinx Media 16 Youth Engagement 18 Events 22 Transgender Media Program 24 Voter Education & Engagement GLAAD BY 28 GLAAD at Work THE NUMBERS 29 Letter from the Treasurer 30 Financial Summary INVESTORS 34 GLAAD Supporters & DIRECTORY 36 Giving Circles 39 Staff 40 Board of Directors 2 3 KEY GLAAD INITIATIVES MISSION GLAAD NEWS & RAPID RESPONSE GLAAD serves as a resource to journalists and news outlets in print, broadcast, and online to ensure that the news media is accurately and fairly representing LGBTQ people in its reporting. As the world’s largest GLAAD MEDIA INSTITUTE (GMI) lesbian, gay, bisexual, Through training, consulting, and research—including annual resources like the Accelerating Acceptance report and the GLAAD Studio Responsibility Index—GMI enables everyone from students to professionals, transgender, and queer journalists to spokespeople to build the core skills and techniques that effectuate positive cultural change. GLAAD CAMPUS AMBASSADOR PROGRAM (LGBTQ) media advocacy GLAAD Campus Ambassadors are a volunteer network of university/college LGBTQ and ally students who work with GLAAD and within their local communities to build an LGBTQ movement to accelerate acceptance and end hate. organization, GLAAD is GLAAD MEDIA AWARDS at the forefront of cultural The GLAAD Media Awards recognize and honor media for their fair, accurate, and inclusive representations of the LGBTQ community and the issues that affect their lives.
    [Show full text]
  • Understanding Issues Facing Transgender Americans
    UNDERSTANDING ISSUES FACING TRANSGENDER AMERICANS National Center for TRANSGENDER EQUALITY Authors Partner This report was authored by: Contact Information 2 Movement Advancement Project Movement Advancement Project (MAP) The Movement Advancement Project (MAP) is an 2215 Market Street independent think tank that provides rigorous Denver, CO 80205 research, insight and analysis that help speed equality [email protected] for LGBT people. MAP works collaboratively with www.lgbtmap.org LGBT organizations, advocates and funders, providing information, analysis and resources that help coordinate GLAAD and strengthen their efforts for maximum impact. MAP 5455 Wilshire Blvd, #1500 also conducts policy research to inform the public and Los Angeles, CA 90036 policymakers about the legal and policy needs of LGBT 323-933-2240 people and their families. www.glaad.org National Center for Transgender Equality National Center for Transgender Equality The National Center for Transgender Equality (NCTE) is 1325 Massachusetts Ave. NW, Suite 700 the nation’s leading social justice advocacy organization Washington, DC 20005 winning life saving change for transgender people. 202-903-0112 NCTE was founded in 2003 by transgender activists www.transequality.org who recognized the urgent need for policy change to advance transgender equality. Transgender Law Center: 1629 Telegraph Avenue, Suite 400 Transgender Law Center Oakland, CA 94612 Founded in 2002, Transgender Law Center (TLC) is now 415-865-0176 the largest transgender-led organization in the United www.transgenderlawcenter.org States dedicated to advancing transgender rights. TLC changes law, policy and attitudes so that all people can live safely, authentically, and free from discrimination regardless of their gender identity or expression.
    [Show full text]
  • LGBT Parents on American Television
    The University of Southern Mississippi The Aquila Digital Community Honors Theses Honors College Spring 5-2014 LGBT Parents on American Television Heather Kahn University of Southern Mississippi Follow this and additional works at: https://aquila.usm.edu/honors_theses Part of the Gender, Race, Sexuality, and Ethnicity in Communication Commons Recommended Citation Kahn, Heather, "LGBT Parents on American Television" (2014). Honors Theses. 227. https://aquila.usm.edu/honors_theses/227 This Honors College Thesis is brought to you for free and open access by the Honors College at The Aquila Digital Community. It has been accepted for inclusion in Honors Theses by an authorized administrator of The Aquila Digital Community. For more information, please contact [email protected]. The University of Southern Mississippi LGBT Parents on American Television by Heather Kahn A Thesis Submitted to the Honors College of The University of Southern Mississippi in Partial Fulfillment of the Requirement for the Degree of Bachelor of Arts in the School of Mass Communication and Journalism May 2014 LGBT Parents on American Television ii LGBT Parents on American Television Approved by ________________________________________ Margaret Williams, M.S., Thesis Advisor Instructor ________________________________________ Christopher Campbell, Ph.D., Director School of Mass Communication and Journalism ________________________________________ David R. Davies, Ph.D., Dean Honors College iii LGBT Parents on American Television Abstract Television is an ever changing medium used in mass communication, and people often rely on this medium for knowledge about different subjects. This study demonstrates how television depictions of marginalized groups can change over time. Focusing specifically on a subset of the LGBT community – parents – this study documents the evolution of LGBT parents on American television.
    [Show full text]
  • Covering 2020: the Issues
    COVERING 2020: THE ISSUES A tip sheet for journalists covering the 2020 election. GETTING STARTED For LGBTQ people and queer people of color, this is the most consequential election of our lifetime. The COVID-19 pandemic and its economic fallout have disproportionately affected people of color and LGBTQ people of color. The long overdue reckoning on racial and social inequalities and police-related violence have further sharpened demands to be heard. In a year of unprecedented danger and more uncertainty ahead, all Americans, especially those at increased risk, are watching closely to see how national, state and local candidates meet the challenges facing all of us. Unfortunately some threats are coming from the government itself - in a lack of effective leadership to confront the pandemic and in direct efforts to erase rights from vulnerable people. GLAAD tracks anti-LGBTQ policy and rhetoric in our Trump Accountability Project. In July 2020, White House Press Secretary Kayleigh McEnany claimed the Trump administration has a “great record” with the LGBTQ community. The record demonstrates otherwise. GLAAD does not endorse or oppose candidates for elected office.GLAAD’s role as the world’s largest LGBTQ media advocacy organization is to ensure that candidates, the media and voters have information to understand LGBTQ lives and issues and to report on them in a fair, accurate and inclusive way. These are some of the issues to include in your coverage. FAST FACTS UNEMPLOYED DURING COVID-19 Black LGBTQ people 18% General population 12% Source: Human Rights Campaign HEALTH CARE 29% Transgender people say they were refused health care because of gender identity Source: Center for American Progress HOUSING Black LGBT homeowners 30% National rate 64.3% Source: Freddie Mac YOUTH 1 in 3 LGBTQ youth physically threatened or harmed due to LGBTQ identity Source: The Trevor Project CRIMINAL JUSTICE LGBTQ 3.8% of total U.S.
    [Show full text]
  • Defense of Marriage Act: Congress's Use of Narrative in the Debate Over Same-Sex Marriage
    NOTES THE DEFENSE OF MARRIAGE ACT: CONGRESS'S USE OF NARRATIVE IN THE DEBATE OVER SAME-SEX MARRIAGE CHARLES J. BUTLER* All this rhetoric ... is an attempt to evade the basic question of whether the law of this country should treat homosexual relationships as morally equivalent to heterosexual relationships.... Should we tell the children of America that we as a society believe there is no moral difference between homosexual relationships and heterosexual relationships? Shall we tell the children of America that in the eyes of the law, the parties to a homosexual union are entitled to all the rights and privileges and benefits that have always been reserved for a man and a woman united in marriage? -Representative William Canady, sponsor, Defense of Marriage Act, July 11, 1996 INTRODuCrIoN President Clinton signed the Defense of Marriage Act' (DOMA) at midnight on September 21, 1996.2 This law permits states to refuse recognition to "any public act, record, or judicial proceeding of any other State... respecting a relationship between persons of the same '3 sex that is treated as a marriage under the laws of such other State." Further, it defines the words "marriage" and "spouse," for purposes of federal statutes and regulations, to make clear that they refer solely to relationships between persons of the opposite sex.4 The House of Representatives passed the measure 342 to 67.5 The Senate passed it 85 to 14.6 * I would like to thank Professors Sarah Bums, David Richards, and the late Tom Stoddard; the staff of the New York University Law Review; and my partner, Stephen Tamburo.
    [Show full text]