Fox News Rejects DADT Repeal Ad

Raw Story reports that Fox News has rejected a Palm Center ad advocating for the repeal of DADT. Not surprising.

The 30-second spot by the Center, called "Business As Usual," includes testimony from military leaders of NATO allies arguing that lifting the ban on gay soldiers is a "non-event" and does not diminish combat effectiveness. "Fox's 'reason' was that the policy is 'on hold' so plans for repeal are 'incorrect'," Cathy Renna, a spokeswoman for the Center, told Raw Story. The ad includes testimony from Major General (now Lieutenant General) Walter Semianiw, Chief of Military Personnel in the Canadian Forces, and Major General Simon Willis (retired), former Head of Defence Personnel in the Australian Defence.

"There is no negative impact of having men and women of any sexual orientation fighting together," says Semianiw in the ad. Adds Willis, comparing the lifting of the ban to Y2K: "It was a non-event, and it continues to be a non-event." "I am surprised that Fox News would reject an ad featuring allied Generals, given that both host Bill O'Reilly and guest contributor Liz Cheney have expressed support for open gay service," said Aaron Belkin, director of the Center. "This is an important time for input from all sides on this issue, and I hope Fox will reconsider."

According to the above-linked story, the Palm Center plans to run the ad (below) on other networks.

Enormous Consequences

The Palm Center has launched Enormous Consequences, a website created in reaction to Press Secretary Robert Gibbs' recent statement about the overturn of DADT.

Above is a clock with the running total of hours during which gays have been allowed to serve openly, as well as a chart with the number of reported consequences of the new policy. The Palm Center has submitted a Freedom of Information Act request for documentation on all negative consequences that result from the new policy.

HomoQuotable - Christopher Neff

"Big things are changing for gay Americans. The President signed federal Hates Crimes legislation, directed new hospital visitation rights; spoke out during the State of the Union and the fought for an end to the ban on gays in the military. In addition, federal agencies are working hard behind the scenes and making huge differences for elder care and queer youth. These are historic firsts. [snip]

"For President Obama, the gay community is not simply a group to be won or table-captains to be counted on. He is fighting for equality because it is the right thing to do and I think he would act little different if he didn't have our support. Empirical evidence over the past months would seem to support this, as hecklers yelled at him at events; chained themselves to the White House and trashed him on the blogs. Through all this, the President stuck with us, while we will continued asking more of him. So I have a suggestion for our next direct-action. If anyone goes to a fundraiser to interrupt the President, I have a suggested shout. It goes like this, 'President Obama, Thank you. It's Pride season and we are very proud of you too!'" - Palm Center deputy executive director Christopher Neff, writing for Pam's House Blend.

Read Neff's complete essay.

Gay Groups React To DADT Deal

Earlier today White House officials met with LGBT groups to hammer out a compromise agreement on attaching a repeal of DADT as an amendment to a pending Defense authorization bill. Following the meeting, the White House for the first time endorsed the amendment attempt. While some see lots of holes in the compromise, most LGBT and progressive groups are responding favorably.

The Palm Center:

“The President’s statement today keeps his promise to lift the ban by establishing the terms on which ‘don’t ask, don’t tell’ will be dismantled,” stated Aaron Belkin, Palm Center Director. “For the past seventeen years, every expert who has studied this policy has emphasized that dismantling it would require leadership. Leadership is what the President showed today.”

Servicemembers United:

"This announcement from the White House today is long awaited, much needed, and immensely helpful as we enter a critical phase of the battle to repeal the 'Don't Ask, Don't Tell' law," said Alexander Nicholson, Executive Director of Servicemembers United and a former U.S. Army interrogator who was discharged under "Don't Ask, Don't Tell." "We have been making the case to White House staff for more than a year now that delayed implementation is realistic, politically viable, and the only way to get the defense community on board with repeal, and we are glad to see the community and now the administration and defense leadership finally rally around this option."

Human Rights Campaign:

"We are on the brink of historic action to both strengthen our military and respect the service of lesbian and gay troops,” said Human Rights Campaign President Joe Solmonese. “Today’s announcement paves the path to fulfill the President’s call to end ‘Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell’ this year and puts us one step closer to removing this stain from the laws of our nation." “Without a repeal vote by Congress this year, the Pentagon’s hands are tied and the armed forces will be forced to continue adhering to the discriminatory ‘Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell’ law,” said Solmonese. “A solution has emerged: Congress needs to vote to repeal ‘Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell’ now.”

Servicemembers Legal Defense Network:

"The White House announcement is a dramatic breakthrough in dismantling 'Don't Ask, Don't Tell.' The path forward crafted by the President, Department of Defense officials, and repeal leaders on Capitol Hill respects the ongoing work by the Pentagon on how to implement open service and allows for a vote this week. President Obama's support and Secretary Gates' buy-in should insure a winning vote, but we are not there yet. The votes still need to be worked and counted. If enacted this welcomed compromise will create a process for the President and the Pentagon to implement a new policy for lesbian and gay service members to serve our country openly, hopefully within a matter of a few months. This builds upon the support Defense Secretary Robert Gates and Admiral Michael Mullen, Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, expressed for open service during the February hearing in the Senate, and further underscores that this Administration is committed to open service."

The full language of the DADT repeal legislation can be found at AmericaBlog Gay.