Rallies to Demand Justice for GetEQUAL Protesters

Grassroots organized rallies have sprung up around the country to demand an end to government sanctioned discrimination and to support protesters who were arrested yesterday at various direct-action events protesting Don't Ask Don't Tell and demanding an Employment Non-Discrimination Act.

Multiple actions by the newly formed group GetEQUAL took place yesterday, first starting with the anti-gay Don't Ask Don't Tell policy. Following a demonstration by the Human Rights Campaign, Lieutenant Dan Choi and Cpt. Jim Pietrangelo marched to the White House and chained themselves to the White House gate in a non-violent act of civil disobedience against the policy. The two were arrested without bail and will appear in a D.C. court today. Co-director of GetEQUAL Robin McGehee was arrested for aiding Choi in shackling himself to the fence but was later released.

Later in the day activists on both coasts took action to demand a trans inclusive ENDA be brought to the floor of congress. The protesters arranged a sit-in in at House Speaker Nancy Pelosi's San Francisco and Washington D.C. offices. The activists were arrested but have all been released. A blogswarm was also arranged whereby thousands participated in calling in to Pelosi's office demanding ENDA legislation.

Scheduled solidarity rallies:

Florida

Orlando
Friday, March 19
12:00pm
Senator Bill Nelson's Office
Orlando Landmark Two
225 East Robinson Street

New York

New York City
Friday, March 19
12:00pm – 2:00pm
Time Square Military Recruitment Office

California

Orange County
Friday, March 19
6:00-7:30pm
UC Irvine Footbridge at Campus between West and East Petalson.

Please comment if you know of additional scheduled protests.

Washington D.C. Rally for DADT Repeal Tomorrow

LGBT activists are headed to the nations capital to rally and lobby for an immediate repeal of the discriminatory Don't Ask Don't Tell policy which bars gay, lesbian, and bisexual servicemembers from serving openly. Among the protesters will be esteemed comedian and straight ally Kathy Griffin.

Thursday, March 18th
NOON
Freedom Plaza, Washington, DC (on Pennsylvania Ave NW between 13th and 14th streets)

Virtual Lobby Day to Repeal DADT

The Human Rights Campaign is holding a virtual lobby day to repeal Don't Ask Don't Tell that is coinciding with the hearings of the issue on Capitol Hill. Today is the day to put pressure on the congress to demand a full repeal of the policy barring openly gay, lesbian, and bisexual people from serving their country.

Take action to enable free and open service:

• First, go to the special action page where you can email your elected officials.

• Follow-up with a phone call. The Capitol switchboard is 202-224-3121. Tell them where you live, and they’ll connect you to any of your lawmakers’ offices. Tell your lawmakers that you’re calling to urge Congress to repeal “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell” this year.

• Spread the word on Facebook. You can also RSVP to the virtual lobby day event and invite your friends.

• Use Twitter to spread the word. Our volunteer lobbyists will be tweeting from the Capitol using the #DADT, #ENDA, #DPBO, #HIV and other hashtags. Once you take action, tweet about the experience and join the conversation.

• Learn more at www.hrc.org/RepealDADT

Tell John McCain to Stop Flip-Flopping on DADT

Senator John McCain has reversed his position on the anti-gay Don't Ask Don't Tell policy. Just four years ago he said he would vote to repeal the policy if military commanders said it was the right thing to do. Now fast track to 2010 and top military leaders are calling for a repeal but McCain is saying he is against it.

Tell Senator McCain to follow the lead of military commanders in repealing DADT by using this HRC form.

Col. Oliver North Defends DADT and Compares Gays to Pedophiles

Retired Colonel Oliver North and now Fox News political commentator has come out with outrageous anti-gay comments in an effort to support the military's Don't Ask Don't Tell policy barring openly gay and lesbian service members.

North in an interview with Sean Hannity of Fox News and through a column at Town Hall has called the repeal of the policy an experiment on "military lab rats" He goes on to make an outrageous comparison between gays and pedophiles.



How can he compare adults who love each other and want to serve their country to people who sexually abuse children? This is a disgusting and offensive suggestion and he must be taken to task.

Oliver North can be emailed regarding his article on Town Hall here.

Sean Hannity can be contacted here for featuring this piece.

Word of the Gay: "The 123 Words"

"The 123 Words" was the U.S. military policy formulated in 1982 barring gays and lesbians from serving prior to the Don't Ask Don't Tell Policy.

Veterans Day Action to End DADT

Letters to the editor are a great way to engage local media and raise awareness about our efforts to get rid of “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell.” A particularly effective letter to the editor can get thousands of people talking about the issue and have effects well beyond the pages of the paper. The letters to the editor section is one of the most read parts of a newspaper!

Join Servicemembers Legal Defense Network's action alert to write an editorial now. Their website will automatically connect you to multiple local newspapers to write an op-ed.

Memphis to Rally Against Desecrated Gay Rights Billboard

A billboard alongside a highway in Memphis Tennessee featuring a former Marine kicked out under the Don't Ask Don't Tell Policy has been desecrated. The billboard which said "I'm gay and I protected you're freedom" was an advertisement for the Memphis Gay and Lesbian Community Center. The sign was torn down a mere 10 days after it was placed.


A rally is planned for 1 pm on Sunday at First Congregational Church at 1000 S. Cooper Street in Memphis.

Stonewall Dems Fundraise for Congressman Patrick Murphy

The Stonewall Democrats, a national LGBT organization associated with the Democratic National Committee is fund-raising on behalf of our 'fierce advocate' when it comes to the Don't Ask Don't Tell repeal.

Congressman Patrick Murphy is the lead sponsor of the Military Readiness Enhancement Act, and as a veteran of the military, he has been using his position to speak up for change.

Send a letter of thanks to the congressman, and pledge to support his re-election efforts.

Web Spotlight: Let Them Serve

Let Them Serve is a website by congressman Patrick Murphy who is the lead co-sponsor of the Military Readiness Enhancement Act which would repeal the ban on gay service members. The website offers information, a petition, and ways to take action to end don't ask don't tell.

Tell Speaker Pelosi to Make Don't Ask Don't Tell Repeal a Priority

The Military Readiness Enhancement Act (HR 1283) which would allow gay, lesbian, and bisexual servicemembers to serve openly has the backing of the majority of citizens and Democrats in power. Speaker Nancy Pelosi has the power to make this issue of ending discrimination in our military a priority.

Join SLDN and the Courage Campaign in urging Speaker Pelosi to act to end DADT.

Servicemembers Legal Defense Network to Protest at White House

The Servicemembers Legal Defense Network (SLDN) is organizing 265 veterans, allies and supporters to march on the White House 2 p.m. Saturday, June 27, to commemorate the 40th anniversary of the Stonewall riots and urge President Obama to break his silence on “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell" repeal.

The 265 marchers represent the number of service members discharged since the President and the new Congress were sworn in. The marchers will be led by five of the plaintiffs in Cook v. Gates, a Supreme Court case that was filed by the plaintiffs and SLDN in December 2004 on behalf of 12 lesbian and gay veterans discharged under DADT.

Lt. Dan Choi Unveils 'Don't Hide' T-shirts Supporting DADT Repeal

Lieutenant Dan Choi, recently famous for being discharged under the military's Don't Ask Don't Tell policy has come out with new t-shirts. The "Don't Hide" t-shirts are available hand painted or silk screened, and you can get your t-shirt signed by Lt. Choi for an additional cost.

"Don't lie, don't hide, don't discriminate. Don't weaken the military" -Lt. Dan Choi

http://www.donthidetm.com/