I’m doing an abbreviated roundup this week because a) it’s a holiday weekend; and b) this week has been pretty much all DADT, all the time, and you’re probably up to your eyeballs with DADT coverage.
In brief, however, we need to remember:
DADT is still in effect. Even if the full Senate follows the House and passes a repeal, DADT will stay in effect until after the Department of Defense completes its study of the impact of repeal, comes up with an implementation plan, and gets sign-off from the President, Secretary of Defense, and the Chair of the Joint Chiefs. We haven’t taken this hill yet.
The other big news this week was the hearing in Commonwealth of Massachusetts v. Health and Human Services, the second of two Massachusetts lawsuits aimed at striking down a major part of the federal Defense of Marriage Act (DOMA).
And President Obama has issued a Proclamation in honor of LGBT Pride Month. It says, in part:
As Americans, it is our birthright that all people are created equal and deserve the same rights, privileges, and opportunities. Since our earliest days of independence, our Nation has striven to fulfill that promise. An important chapter in our great, unfinished story is the movement for fairness and equality on behalf of the lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender (LGBT) community. This month, as we recognize the immeasurable contributions of LGBT Americans, we renew our commitment to the struggle for equal rights for LGBT Americans and to ending prejudice and injustice wherever it exists. . . .
Much work remains to fulfill our Nation’s promise of equal justice under law for LGBT Americans. That is why we must give committed gay couples the same rights and responsibilities afforded to any married couple, and repeal the Defense of Marriage Act. We must protect the rights of LGBT families by securing their adoption rights, ending employment discrimination against LGBT Americans, and ensuring Federal employees receive equal benefits. We must create safer schools so all our children may learn in a supportive environment. I am also committed to ending “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell” so patriotic LGBT Americans can serve openly in our military, and I am working with the Congress and our military leadership to accomplish that goal.
Actions speak louder than words, to be sure, but those are strong words, and shouldn’t be discounted. Let’s hold him to them.
Have a great holiday weekend. See you on Tuesday for Blogging for LGBT Families Day!