Aubrey Sarvis of Servicemembers Legan Defense Network – Photo: Courtesy
Troop interest in DADT is low
About 25 percent of U.S. servicemembers contacted about a proposed repeal of the ban against gay troops responded to the Pentagon survey.
Earlier this year, the Department of Defense sent out 400,000 questionnaires as part of a study on the implications of repealing the “don’t ask, don’t tell” policy that prohibits GLB troops from serving openly. Congressional Democrats have moved forward this session on President Obama’s call to repeal the policy enacted during Bill Clinton’s first term in the White House.
By the late-August deadline for the survey, 103,000 servicemembers had turned in their questionnaires, which asked how comfortable they’d be rooming with a gay person.
Troop interest in DADT is lowProp 8 stay prolongs engagements
After a federal district court judge lifted his stay on same-sex marriages in California, couples were prepared to legally exchange vows on Aug. 18.
But a three-judge panel of the 9th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals silenced their wedding bells by reinstating the stay on Aug. 16. The good news for same-sex couples is that the appeals court set a fast-track schedule for reviewing the case, Perry v. Schwarzenegger.
Prop 8 stay prolongs engagementsAviator reaches deal to halt discharge
An Idaho aviator has reached an agreement with the U.S. Air Force to temporarily block his discharge under the “don’t ask, don’t tell” policy that bars openly gay and lesbian military members from service.
The Servicemembers Legal Defense Network says an agreement reached Aug. 16 prevents the Air Force from discharging Lt. Col. Victor Fehrenbach until a judge can consider its request for a court order to stop his ouster from the military.
Idaho aviator reaches deal to halt dischargeENDA is top LGBT labor issue
Labor Day arrives Sept. 6 with a renewed push to pass employment protections for LGBT workers.
The federal holiday – celebrated first in New York in 1882 – coincides with the resumption of congressional work in the capital following the August recess. With the return to work will come a return to lobbying on the Hill for passage of the Employment Non-Discrimination Act, which would ban workplace discrimination based on sexual orientation and gender identity in hiring, firing, promotion or compensation. ENDA would not apply to employers with fewer than 15 employees or religious organizations.
ENDA is top LGBT labor issue
Rick Scott
Run to the right in Florida gubernatorial primary
As Republican candidates for governor raced toward primary day in Florida, they took to the far-right lane in an effort to pick up points with the Sunshine State’s conservative bloc.
On Aug. 24, Republican voters nominated businessman Rick Scott as their candidate for governor. Scott defeated Florida Attorney General Bill McCollum by a 46 percent to 43 percent vote and will face Democrat Alex Sink, the state treasurer, in November. Gov. Charlie Crist decided not to seek a second term and is waging an independent campaign for the U.S. Senate.
Run to the right in Florida gubernatorial primaryOpinion
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