Wednesday, December 22, 2010

Lt Dan Choi

I have mixed feelings about the overturning of DADT (Don't Ask Don't Tell). On one hand, the military cannot kick someone out who is an LGBTQ. On the other hand? What about DOMA (Defense Of Marriage Act)? Will LGBTQs be allowed to sign a contract that allows same sex couples to marry? Will the ERA (Equal Rights Amendment) pass? All these civil rights that have been addressed have not been resolved. DADT was resolved, but that just means LGBTQs won't get kicked out of the military when they admit they are not straight. But what does that guarantee? V.A. benefit? What about to the partners of the soldiers? If for example, Lt. Dan Choi were to be KIA (Killed In Action), will his partner, or husband receive benefits a straight spouse would receive? Most likely? No...but I can be wrong. Because of DOMA: Public Law No. 104-199, 110 Stat. 2419 states that:

The Federal Defense of Marriage Act (DOMA) defines marriage as a legal union between one man and one woman for purposes of all federal laws, and provides that states need not recognize a marriage from another state if it is between persons of the same sex. 37 states have their own Defense of Marriage Acts (DOMAs), while 2 more states have strong language that defines marriage as one man and one woman. There are 30 states that have constitutional amendments protecting traditional marriage, including the three states (Arizona, California, and Florida) that passed constitutional amendments in November 2008.
Therefore, the Republicans and Blue Dog Dems who supported the overturning of DADT probably were more interested in getting more bodies to fight their illegal war than allowing same-sex partners to marry.

According to Servicemember's Legal Defense Network, an advocacy organization for LGBT military personnel, over 12,500 servicemembers have been discharged from the U.S. military since the "don't ask, don't tell" policy was signed into law (1993) and enacted in 1994.

That's 12,500 less bodies fighting for corporate America on a war that had nothing to do with 9/11. And now Pakistan is in the sights of the Obama administration? I am happy that Lt Choi stood his grounds and now has the opportunity to serve...




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While Choi has no right to marry his partner and receive federal benefits. First step for civil rights in the LGBTQ community? Yes. But the struggle continues and lets treat all LGBTQs as human beings and not as mere pawns on the war on error.
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