Feb 8th, 2010 · President Obama has promised to repeal the military's Don't Ask, Don't Tell policy — the law that prohibits gays and lesbians from serving openly in the armed forces. The nation's top defense officials now agree it's time to retire the 16-year-old law. Two former military officers weigh in from both sides of the debate.
Feb 3rd, 2010 · Seventeen years after its passage in Congress, the military's Don't Ask, Don't Tell policy's days may be numbered. Last week President Obama told Congress he wants to work with lawmakers and the military this year to end that policy, which has led to the expulsion from the armed forces of more than thirteen-thousand gay and lesbian servicemembers. Defense Secretary Robert Gates announced plans Tuesday for a yearlong study of how a repeal of Don't Ask, Don't Tell might affect the military. And a key Senate panel had its first hearing on such a repeal.
Feb 3rd, 2010 · Seventeen years after its passage in Congress, the military's Don't Ask, Don't Tell policy's days may be numbered. Last week President Obama told Congress he wants to work with lawmakers and the military this year to end that policy, which has led to the expulsion from the armed forces of more than thirteen-thousand gay and lesbian servicemembers. Defense Secretary Robert Gates announced plans Tuesday for a yearlong study of how a repeal of Don't Ask, Don't Tell might affect the military. And a key Senate panel had its first hearing on such a repeal.
Jan 15th, 2010 · For the first time in a decade, the Justice Department has moved to intervene in a lawsuit on behalf of a student who was beaten up for being too effeminate. Gay and lesbian groups see it as a statement about the Obama administration's priorities.
Nov 16th, 2009 · The nation's largest publisher of newspapers serving the gay and lesbian community has shut down. The move affects the Washington Blade, Houston Voice and several other publications.
Oct 28th, 2009 · President Obama plans to sign a bill on Wednesday adding protections for gay, lesbian, transgender and disabled people to the federal hate crimes statute. U.S. Supreme Court rulings in the early 1990s set constitutional parameters for hate crime laws, which had been challenged on free-speech grounds.
Oct 28th, 2009 · From his coverage of equality marches to political campaigns, to hate crimes, Lou Chibarro, Jr., has covered it all working as a reporter for The Washington Blade. That gay publication was founded 40 years ago with the goal of offering its readers news and perspectives relevant to the gay and lesbian experience. Chibarro shares insight from his 30-year journalism career and explains how reporting on the gay community has, at times, brought both happiness and pain.
Oct 11th, 2009 · Thousands of gay and lesbian activists marched Sunday from the White House to the Capitol, demanding that President Obama keep his promises to allow gays to serve openly in the military and work to end discrimination against gays.