"Don't Ask, Don't Tell" to get the boot

Supposedly, there will be no more witch hunts, behind-the-scenes tactics and outings of gay service members since the Pentagon acted to lift the ban on gays serving openly in the military.
Defense Secretary Robert Gates initiated the new rules ahead of Congressional approval of the President's goal of repealing the "don't ask, don't tell" ruling of 1993.
The changes--intended to be effective immediately--reflect "common sense and common decency for handling what are complex and difficult issues for all involved," Gates said.
Sounds good. But, of course, it's not that simple or accepted by many in the military who oppose the repeal--in spite of the fact that they are obligated to follow policies enunciated by the President.
Since 1993, it is estimated that 13,000 gay service members--including 428 officers and enlisted members last year--have been discharged under the law. So that means that the "don't ask" part worked, but the "don't tell" part didn't.
Here's an example: Mike Almy, a former Air Force major was dismissed in 2006 when a routine computer check turned up personal e-mails he had written while deployed in Iraq. Those e-mails were given to his commander who slapped the discharge papers on him marked "homosexual admission." If these new guidelines had been in effect, Almy would still be serving our country as a major in the Air Force.
This is ridiculous. If gay men and women want to serve in the military, let them. Gay and lesbian Americans are part of every profession in this country. It seems to be working just fine. Why would it hurt military effectiveness? Oh that's right, the Marine Corps' commandant is afraid of other military personnel sharing rooms with homosexuals. They're not predators, Gen. Conway. Are you homophobic?
Why do they have to hide who they are to serve our country?
So, give "don't ask, don't tell" the boot, and if you don't like it, you can "vote with your feet," as they say in the military, and retire from the service--or just salute each other and deal with it, then maybe some day you'll get invited to a same-sex wedding!

A horse is a horse, of course, of course and J.D. Hayworth is a horse's ass

Recently, on the Rachel Maddow show, J. D. Hayworth proved once again that he is a horse's ass. He had earlier claimed that the same-sex marriage law in Massachusetts defines marriage as the establishment of intimacy. His interpretation of that was "You could marry your horse."
I wonder what Mr. Ed would have said about that!
And, of course, of course, Rachel Maddow, an openly gay political commentator had a heyday with Hayworth. She outsmarted him at every turn.
Republican, Hayworth must feel confident of his conservative following to say something so outright ignorant. I suppose that's why people like me are blessed with gay children--not people like J.D. Hayworthless.
As I write this while I wait for the glorious Arizona sun to rise, I can't believe that "arrogant" J.D. Hayworth was my congressman for 6 terms (I never voted for him, and I remember when he was just a sportscaster on our local news). At least now we have Harry Mitchell, a Democrat who soundly defeated Hayworth in 2006 and is doing a great job representing our district--a man I trust and will support and campaign for in his re-election.
Now Hayworth has taken his dog and pony show into the race for John McCain's senate seat. It will be interesting to see which horse wins that race.

Another mother for gay marriage

My 87-year-old mother, who suffers from dementia, lives with me now. Every day is like ground hog day, but she still has her common sense and logic and will often amaze me with her opinions on things.
A few weeks ago she was reading the newspaper--mainly to figure out what month, day and year it was--and she saw a story about a lesbian couple getting married in Washington, D.C. "I think people should marry whoever they want to," she said. I looked up a little surprised and said, "You're absolutely right."
I know that opinion doesn't come from the fact that my kids are gay. She forgets that, and I have to remind her regularly. Then she always says, "That's right, you have a lot of that in your family." She forgets everything about her other 30 grandkids, too.
I've never discussed same-sex marriage with her and she has no idea that I blog about it (or what a blog is), so a seed was never planted in her Irish-Catholic, novena-saying, Rosary-reciting self.
So, for now, I'm considering her as another "mother for gay marriage." You're never too old or too forgetful to have an honest opinion.

It's just a prom

How scary is it to live in Jackson, Miss? The entire prom was cancelled at a local high school because a lesbian student wanted to attend with her girlfriend.
Enter Ellen DeGeneres. She had the student on her show to call attention to this ridiculous outcome, and to the girl's surprise the talk-show host pulled out a giant check for a $30,000 college scholarship. The scholarship was courtesy of Tonic.com, a digital media company.
Meantime, back at the Itawamba County School District, a hearing is scheduled for Monday where the ACLU is trying to force the district hold the prom.
Well, I guess we won't be seeing any initiative toward same-sex marriage in Jackson, Miss. any time soon.

Viva la ciudad de Mexico

Gay and lesbian couples registered for marriage licenses Thursday in Mexico City when Latin America's first gay-marriage law took effect. Wedding bells can begin ringing in a week to 10 days when the paperwork is processed.
The new law will give married gay couples the same rights as heterosexual couples, including the right to adopt children, apply for bank loans together, inherit their spouse's money or be included on a spouse's insurance policy.
I hope Mexico City will be a shining example for the rest of Latin America!

D.C. gays line up for marriage licenses--finally

Just blocks from the U.S. Capitol on Wednesday, a long line of gay couples waited at the marriage bureau--for their marriage licenses. Yes, March 3 was the first day that same-sex unions became legal in our nations' capital!!
Now the sixth place in the nation to approve same-sex marriage, Washington joins Connecticut, Iowa, Massachusetts, New Hampshire and Vermont.
Still 44 to go!

Are gay Oympians treated differently?

What about gay Olympians? They are proud examples of each country they represent. Is it an issue or not--I've never really known. Are they treated fairly--open or closeted?
Do the same Americans who discriminate against gays feel pride when an openly gay or lesbian American athlete wins a medal in the Olympics? I sure hope so.
As it turns out, homophobia in the Olympics is nothing new. Though things are changing, in the past many athletes remained closeted as competitors.
For example, Mark Tewksbury, 1992 Canadian gold medal swimmer came out in 1998 and even wrote a memoir about being a gay athlete. He said that at that time being in the Olympics was like being in an occupied country. "I was never sure who to talk to. If I made a mistake, it could have been the end of my livelihood."
Vancouver's attitude was welcoming to gay athletes, coaches and family members. Tewksbury was even invited to speak to the Canadian team before they walked into the opening ceremonies--as who he is, an openly gay athlete.
Though he didn't win a medal, American Olympic figure skater, Johnny Weir was flamboyant in costuming and hairstyle and exuded confidence in his performing skills--a very comfortable gay man. That's a good thing, because he was called Johnny Weird (the "d" is silent) and told he was too gay. On the Joy Behar show, she asked how he felt about being called "too gay."
"I just wish they would think before they actually said it. There are so many kids like me, coming after me, whose parents might repress them just because they saw what they said about me, that their kids are going to turn out like me. And I think me is pretty fabulous."
And I think you're pretty fabulous too, Johnny. You deserve a "medal of honor."

Have you noticed--same-sex marriage is being ignored

What happened to the pursuit of gay marriage lately? Is everyone so busy politicizing every other current issue in this country that ours is forgotten?
Maybe it's because same-sex marriage is so uncomplicated and straightforward. People will be happy. It doesn't cost the government any money. No high-paid lobbyists are needed behind the scenes to make underhanded deals.
A lot of politicians are afraid to support same-sex marriage. In reality, it appears there is only one thing politicians are interested in--themselves.
Maybe that's why our issue is being ignored.
Moms, we need to create a stir.