Don't Ask Don't Tell at Brave New Films

Openly Gay Harvard Students Challenge "Don't Ask, Don't Tell"

2008-07-26T00:42:46Z

In his "Generation Q" op-ed, New York Times columnist Thomas Friedman asserted that young activists today are a little "too quiet, too online" for their own good, and that clicks of a mouse cannot rival the vitality of an in-person movement. But what if young activists could combine the in-your-face nature of an offline campaign, with the internet's ability to spread their message to millions?

The Harvard Right to Serve Tour is using YouTube to do just that. As part of the the Tour, openly gay Harvard University students are visiting military recruitment centers across the Eastern Seaboard, trying to enlist – and uploading video footage of each encounter onto YouTube.

"We're trying to show the country the discriminatory practices that are in place, under 'Don't Ask, Don't Tell'," says lead campaign organizer and Harvard Divinity School student Jake Reitan. But in addition to that, the campaign is also demonstrating the power of what can happen when activists mix traditional tactics like sit-ins, sign-waving, and submitting to arrest, with new media methods like YouTube to amplify their cause.

Mr. Friedman: we hope you’re taking notice.

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Andy Fraser - Take me home

2008-09-07T22:21:32Z

Fight for troops to come home and repealing DADT policy

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Andy Fraser - Take me home for Xmas

2008-09-07T22:21:32Z

You need to see this video. Tribute to ALL troops in battle. Worldwide free download in the spirit of the season.

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Don't Ask, Don't Tell > Don't Change, Won't Vote

2008-01-12T20:05:36Z

I received a reply to a petition I signed somewhere on the intertubes to ask my Senator to reconsider "Don't Ask, Don't Tell" which I always thought was the most ridiculous thing I ever hear of - not even a gay or straight thing - just dumb.

Gays in the Foxhole: WATCH OUT!

2008-09-07T22:19:42Z

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California makes a Statement, while the Pentagon makes Excuses

2008-01-12T20:01:32Z

The California Legislature passed a resolution yesterday urging Congress and the President to end the discriminatory military policy of Don't Ask, Don't Tell. SJR6 supports the adoption of the Military Readiness Enhacement Act (HR 1246) which would repeal Don't Ask, Don't Tell. SJR6 passed the Assembly with a vote of 43 to 30. Read more about it here and here.

In addition, the Pentagon issued a statement yesterday to the LGBT magazine The Advocate encouraging dismissed Lesbian and Gay servicemembers "to continue to serve their nation and national security by putting their abilities to use by way of civilian employment with other Federal agencies, the Department of Defense, or in the private sector, such as with a government contractor."

The Pentagon is obviously in a bind trying to support its archaic policy of discrimination and its need for human resources. How ridiculous is it to encourage someone who has just been fired because of their sexual orientation to sign up for the exact same job in another wing of the same agency? You can read more about the Pentagon's statement here.

Help repeal Don't Ask, Don't Tell. Sign the petition and call your congressperson asking them to support the Military Readiness Enhancement Act (HR 1246).

Headzup: Republican Debate Part Two- Terror Scenario

2008-07-09T13:04:44Z

Republican presidential hopefuls Rudy Giuliani, Mitt Romney & John McCain discuss a frightening terrorist scenario Jack Baur, himself would fear. Read the Army Times article on the subject-- www.armytimes.com Download free daily political cartoons to your cell phones and ipods at www.headzup.tv

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Headzup: George Bush Drops the Gay Bomb

2008-06-08T21:31:16Z

The Pentagon has confirmed that it sought to build a "Gay Bomb" which would turn enemy soldiers into homosexuals. President Bush and Joe Lieberman unleash the weapon on a pack of terrorists. Read about it here-"cbs2.com Download daily Catch and Release Comedy™ political cartoons to your mobile phone or iPod at www.headzup.tv

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The CNN YouTube Debate Question

2008-06-08T21:31:13Z

A question from concerned citizen George to the Democratic candidates for President.

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GOP Presidential Debate on Don't Ask, Don't Tell

2008-07-09T15:57:45Z

Candidates respond to a question about the Don't Ask, Don't Tell policy that weakens our national security during a CNN televised debate on June 5, 2007.

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John Aravosis and Bleu Copas on ending "Don't Ask Don't Tell"

2008-09-07T22:19:42Z

On a panel about LiftTheBan.org at the Take Back America conference John Aravosis of America Blog and Bleu Copas, a fired linguist, discuss the fact that now is the time to lift the ban on gays in the military. Times have changed since the policy began in 1993.

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Ian Finkenbinder, another Arabic translator fired for being gay

2008-07-09T17:21:34Z

From Raw Story:

In Iraq, soldiers with Arabic translation skills are in great demand. There are less than 2,000 translators to serve an American force of over 130,000 troops.
Ian Finkenbinder is an Army soldier with the uncommon ability to translate Arabic. Because of his top secret status, Finkenbinder could translate high security information such as weapons cache locations, insurgent headquarters, and other sensitive intelligence. Yet he was discharged from the Army when his commander learned that he was gay.

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Gary Ackerman: ‘A Platoon Of Lesbians’ Could ‘Chase Us Out Of Baghdad’

2008-07-09T18:21:32Z

ThinkProgress: Yesterday, during hearings on the State Department’s 2008 budget, Rep. Gary Ackerman (D-NY) slammed the U.S. military’s ban on gay servicemembers, saying the Pentagon “seems more afraid of gay people than they are [of] terrorists,” and that if the terrorists were smart, “they’d get a platoon of lesbians to chase us out of Baghdad.”

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Arabic translator fired from the Navy for being gay

2008-09-07T22:19:42Z

Since ‘Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell’ became law, over 11,000 servicemembers have been discharged because of their sexuality. The number of servicemembers who have left on their own volition, or have decided not to re-enlist because of this law is not documented. The government has spent over $363 million dollars in taxpayer money to implement this unfair legislation. Dozens of other countries, many of whom have fought side-by-side with our soldiers, allow lesbians, gays and bisexuals to serve openly. Those are the facts and they have nothing to do with a servicemembers passion and skill to perform his duty.