GAY PEOPLE'S

Chronicle

Ohio's Newspaper for the Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender Community • www.GayPeoplesChronicle.com

'Don't ask' repeal is only a first step

Delays and lack of mandate could mean years until open service

by Eric Resnick

Washington, D.C.-When will gays and lesbians be able to serve openly in the U.S. military without facing harassment and discharge? Although a measure to epeal "don't ask, don't tell" was attached to a defense spending bill last week, it could be years before open service becomes a reility, if ever.

On May 26, the House approved in amendment to the Defense Department appropriations bill that repeals the 1993 law banning miliary service by open gays and lesbians.

But it does not take effect until 50 days after a Pentagon study is completed and the president, defense secretary and Joint Chiefs chair sign off on it.

The House passed the measure 234 to 194. The same day, the Senate Armed Services Committee passed it 16 to 12, with Republican Maine Senator Susan Collins joining all Democrats except Virginia's Jim Webb in affirmative vote, sending the measure to the Senate floor.

The measure was offered by independent Joe Lieberman of Connecticut, a repeal proponent, after circulating it for two months.

The delay was possibly designed to bring more centrist Democrats and moderate Republicans to vote for repeal, while at the same time, assuage those among military leadership who oppose repeal.

The fact that Lieberman circulated the bill's text suggests cooperation with Secretary of Defense Robert Gates, who sent a letter April 30 to House Armed Services Committee Chair Ike Skelton of Missouri, an opponent of repealing the ban.

"I believe in the strongest possible terms that the department must, prior to any legislative action, be allowed to conduct a thor-

ough, objective and systematic assessment of the impact of such a policy change," Gates wrote.

"A critical element of this effort is the need to systematically engage our forces, their families, and the broader military community throughout this process," Gates continued.

"Our military must be afforded the opportunity to inform us of their concerns, insights, and suggestions if we are to carry out this change successfully."

"Therefore," Gates concluded, "I strongly oppose any legislation that seeks to change this policy prior to the completion of this vital assessment process. Further, I hope Congress will not do so, as it would send a very damaging message to our men and women in uniform that in essence their views, concerns, and perspectives do not matter on an issue with such a direct impact and consequence for them and their families."

Most strategists argued that attaching the "don't ask don't tell" repeal to the spending bill was the last realistic chance to pass it, despite overwhelming support for repeal.

President Obama has made some speeches that mentioned the law's repeal, but has done little else.

Conventional wisdom holds that Republicans will pick up seats in both chambers of Congress in the November election, making repeal nearly impossible.

Allowing gays to serve openly requires two steps: Repeal of the 1993 law, and passing a new law mandating open service.

The latter is missing from Lieberman's amendment, so if passed, the law will return to where it was in 1993 before "don't ask don't tell," was passed--where the ban on gays was a regulation controlled by the military.

"Don't ask don't tell" took that Continued on page 2

Inside This Issue

T

Miller on Reigns

Poge 6

Cruisin'

Volume 25, Issue 25 June 4, 2010

BRIAN DEWITT

Revelers enjoy a summer evening as the Center Street Swing Bridge closes behind the 2008 GIFT cruise. Tickets are now available for this year's voyage, on Saturday June 12. See page 5.

Volunteers urge lawmakers to pass Ohio equal rights bill

by Eric Resnick

Columbus-About 270 citizen lobbyists descended upon the Ohio statehouse seeking equal rights on May 19.

The event was the fifth consecutive lobbying effort organized by Equality Ohio.

LGBT citizens and allies had 110 appointments scheduled with the 132 representatives and senators when the day started, according to Equality Ohio's Michele

'Significant others' to get family and funeral leave

to the Editors Calendar Directory

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Hopkins. Because of cancellations and legislators tied up in meetings, only 88 of those appointments were kept.

This is fewer visits than last year, when all 33 Senate offices and 71 of 99 House offices were connected with. It was also fewer participants, down from nearly 400 in 2009 and 362 in 2008.

According to Equality Ohio, the focus of the activity was once again on passage of the Equal Housing and Employment NonDiscrimination Act. The LGBT equal rights bill passed the Democratic-controlled House 56 to 39 on September 15. Five Republicans joined all the Democrats in that affirmative vote.

The Republican-controlled Senate, however, has been another matter.

Senate President Bill Harris of Ashland assigned the bill to the Rules Committee, where it has had no hearings nor other action.

Conventional wisdom is that the bill will die there at year's end. The measure would bar discrimination by sexual orientation and gender identity in public and private employment, housing and public accommodations, similar

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to laws in 21 other states. Governor Ted Strickland supports the bill and would sign it.

Lt. Governor and U.S. Senate candidate Lee Fisher addressed the lobbyists during the opening assembly.

Lobbyists also heard from Lakewood councilor Nickie Antonio, whose primary win last month makes her almost certain to become the first openly gay member of Ohio's general assembly in January.

Antonio will represent the 13th House District, which includes all of Lakewood and some of Cleveland's west side. It is the seat currently held by LGBT ally Mike Skindell, who will likely be elected to the Ohio Senate.

The event ended with a reception for supportive legislators and financial contributors. Proceeds from the reception help pay for the expenses of the day.

According to Hopkins, 85 attended, including 13 legislators. Equality Ohio has scheduled the next lobbying day event for May 18, 2011. The group is on the web at www.equality ohio.org.