Marriage equality is sweeping the nation (32 states and counting!), and LGB people have been able to serve openly in the U.S. military since 2011. Same-sex military parents and their children still face challenges, however.
The American Military Partner Association (AMPA), the nation’s largest organization for partners, spouses, families, and allies of LGBT military and veterans, has showcased two two-mom families this week. I’m proud to say I know one of them.
Cynthia is a U.S. Air Force officer who was stationed in Afghanistan for seven months. Watch this great video of her homecoming with her partner Karissa and their infant daughter. It’s sure to put a smile on your face.
The world has lost a fighter for justice. Chief Warrant Officer 2 Charlie Morgan of the New Hampshire National Guard, and a lesbian mom, passed away this morning, Outserve-SLDN informs us. She had been fighting stage 4 breast cancer. Morgan was also a plaintiff in a lawsuit challenging the constitutionality of the Defense of Marriage Act (DOMA).
The next few days could be critical for the outcome of a Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell repeal. Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid (D-Nev.) has said he will schedule a vote for next week on the defense authorization bill that contains provisions for repeal. He has also filed for “cloture”—a move to limit debate on the
President Obama called for the repeal of “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell” last night in his State of the Union speech. Bravo. I hope the LGBT community—and all citizens who want to see our military strengthened with all who wish to serve—hold him to that. Here’s my question, though: Once we allow gay men and lesbians
(I wrote this last February for 365gay.com, and have posted it here before, but I wanted to repost it in honor of Veteran’s day. Regardless of when DADT is repealed, it will raise a host of additional questions regarding the recognition of same-sex couples, as I explain below. For more on LGBT families in the
In honor of Memorial Day, let me draw your attention to this post on the Servicemembers Legal Defense Network blog, written by the daughter of a lesbian servicemember. Among other things, she asserts, “No child should have to lie about their family just to ensure they have a roof over their head.” Hear, hear. When
(I wrote this back in February for 365gay.com, but it seemed timely to repost it here (with slight updates) in light of the Army National Guard’s recent dismissal of West Point graduate and Arabic linguist Lt. Dan Choi under “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell.” (He was on the Rachel Maddow Show last week.) Although the timetable
(Reposting this in honor of Memorial Day. Originally published in Bay Windows, January 10, 2008) Five-year-old William and three-year-old Ryan are the children of decorated U.S. Army officer Cheryl Parker. Like other children of service members, they have dealt with cross-country moves and months without their mother while she was deployed in Iraq. Unlike the
