Monday, 29 June 2009

President Barack Obama
The White House
1600 Pennsylvania Avenue
Washington, DC 20500

Dear President Barack Obama:

Please know that I send this missive to you via my dear friend and Bisexual activist, author and professor, Robyn Ochs, who has an invitation from the White House today, as I am currently being treated at a VA hospital for cancer and could not make it to meet you personally.

This stated, please know that we, the Officers of The New England Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual & Transgender Veterans, Inc., respectfully call upon you to sign an executive order suspending the inhumane
“Don't Ask, Don'tTell” Policy.The idea of ending the ban by an executive order gained momentum after the release last month of a Palm Center (Think Tank Study) showing that you have the authority to suspend “Don't Ask, Don't Tell” using the “Stop- Loss”authority placed into effect by former President George W. Bush. Until now, many had argued that only Congress or the courts could lift the ban on Gay, Lesbian & Bisexual servicemembers in the Military.

Thus, we join with the Palm Center; the Human Rights Campaign, Knights Out, an organization of 400 heterosexual and LGBT West Point graduates, and a dozen retired LGBT Generals and Admirals to end the inhumane "Don't Ask, Don’t Tell” Policy--using the “Stop-Loss” authority.

A policy, that since its codification into law by the Congress in 1993, is directly responsible for the brutal and cowardly murders of US Navy Seaman Allen Schindler and US Army PFC. Barry Winchell --both murdered in cold blood by their fellow servicemembers due to their actual or perceived sexual orientations; and for the discharge of almost 13,000 Gay, Lesbian Bisexual & Transgender identified American servicemembers, costing US Taxpayers in excess of $363 million to enforce and administer.

As a former U.S. Army soldier, I know well the pain of being imprisoned and discriminated against and discharged by my country due to my bisexual orientation, and wish you to know that there is not a moment to waste to repeal, as we wage war in Iraq and Afghanistan; and where danger lurks around every corner with North Korea Iran, & Pakistan -- all possessing nuclear weapons that could fall into the hands of "Terrorists."

Thus, since the United States is engaged in a "global war on terrorism," our country needs every patriotic American to defend our Democracy. This includes Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual & Transgender people who have fought with great honor and distinction in ALL of America's wars, and have shed their blood and died on strange battlefields alongside their heterosexual servicemembers in defense of our great Nation.

President Obama, surely you know the pain of prejudice and discrimination in your life's journey. But through hard work, education, and your moral compass, you became America's first African American President. Also, your monumental personal accomplishments came to pass due in part by virtue of other  brave men of vision and courage such as Former Presidents Abraham Lincoln, Harry Truman, and the beloved Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.

Thus, we Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual and Transgender veterans now need "your vision"  and implore you end the inhumane "Don't Ask, Don't Tell" policy which has destroyed the lives of so many patriotic GLB&T people who wish to proudly serve our Country. 

Contrary to many folks of the Religious Right and organized religions, I submit to you that we, as Bisexual, Gay, Lesbian and Transgender people, are the children of God, as God does not make mistakes!

To this effect, we respectfully remind you of the eloquent words of both the late Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., and his wife Coretta Scott King, whose quotes on this human and civil rights issue is as follows:

"I still hear people say that I should not be talking about
the rights of lesbian and gay people, and I should stick
to the issue of racial justice. But I hasten to remind
them that Martin Luther King Jr. said
"Injustice anywhere is a threat to justice everywhere."
-- Coretta Scott King in 1998

"Injustice anywhere is a threat to justice everywhere.
We are caught in an inescapable network of mutuality,
tied in a single garment of destiny.
Whatever affects one directly, affects all indirectly."
- Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.


President Obama, on behalf of our membership, I thank you for your prompt attention of our request for you to keep your campaign promise to end the inhumane "Don't Ask, Don't Tell" Policy.

This can now be "remedied" by using the "Stop Loss" Policy in the interest of National Security and human and civil rights for all of America's Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual and Transgender servicemembers and veterans.

God bless you in your efforts to bring our Nation together for the benefit of all who love freedom, as "freedom is never free." It is won by all veterans who died in service to America, regardless of their sexual orientations, so ALL people would be free.

And lastly, in the future, should you wish for us to tell you of our personal stories of imprisonment and discharge from the U.S. Armed Forces due to our sexual orientations, we are at your service.

Mr. President, God bless you, our troops that fight the "Global War on Terrorism", and God Bless America.

Most Sincerely yours,


Cliff Arnesen 
Bisexual President

US Army (Vietnam -Era Veteran) 1965-1967
Imprisoned & Discharged as Homosexual From US Army in 1967

Member: Predominately Gay, Alexander Hamilton, American Legion Post
448 Former Medical Patient Services Assistant, US Department of Veterans Affairs
First "Openly Bisexual" Veteran In America to Testify on Behalf of GLBT
Veterans Before The U.S. Congress, via U.S. House Committee On Veterans Affairs:
Subcommittee on Oversight and Investigations (1989 & 1990)

CELL PHONE---617-697-1045

"As a bisexual in the military, there is no distinction in terms of
punishment, no refuge in being bisexual. You get the same consequences;
you don't get half a discharge."
--Cliff Arnesen: Quote from Lesbian News, October 2001



Leo Dorrington, Vice President
Member: Predominately Gay, Hamilton, American Legion Post 448
Board Member of NE Chapter of Log Cabin Republicans
Chaplain : VFW Post 529 Somerville, MA
MSG. U S Army Retired (25 years)
Gay Gulf War Combat Veteran (Desert Storm)
(617) 628-2810



Rick Buchanan
Secretary/Treasurer
Member: American Legion, Phillips Post 102--Athol, MA
Member: Veterans of Foreign Wars
Member: Vietnam Veterans of America
Member: American Veterans (AMVETS)
Sgt. Major (Korean War & Vietnam Combat Veteran: (1952-1960)
Phone: 617-266-4109



Janice Josephine Carney,
"Transgender Veterans Liaison"
New England Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual & Transgender Veterans, Inc.
US Army SP/5 (Disabled Vietnam Combat Veteran)
Lifetime Member Disabled American Veterans
Member: Transgender American Veterans (TAVA)
http://www.tavausa.org
Author: ”Purple Hearts & Silver Stars”
Available at Amazon.com
E Mail:  janice@janicejosephine.com
WEB SITE:    http://janicejosephine.com
PHONE:  727-748 -5678



SSGT. Miriam Ben -Shalom
Founder, National Gay, Lesbian & Bisexual Veterans of America, Inc. (1990)
Now Known As American Veterans For Equal Rights)
Member of the New England GLBT Veterans, Inc.
United States Army: (1974-1976) & (1987-1990)
Member:  Hamilton Post 448, American Legion
Member: National Education Association
E-mail: ben-shalom@sbcglobal.net
414-933-6233


HISTORICAL NOTE: First LGBT Person In US History To Be Reinstated To
Duty Per Order of the Eastern Federal District Court of the United States
(1978) And Finally "Released From The Custody of the United States Army
As An Erroneous Enlistment" (1990) With No Discharge Despite A
Promotion And A Commendation

THE WHITE HOUSE
WASHINGTON, DC

“Dear Cliff,

Thank you for sharing your thoughts regarding gays and lesbians.

Throughout my life, I have sought to heighten public awareness and promote inclusion in order to send a powerful message of equality and acceptance to people everywhere. Increased opportunity makes citizens more productive, building stronger communities and a stronger nation. I believe that we must continue to help people rise as far as their talents and determination can take them so that we can make the most out of our great diversity.

As I continue working to end discrimination and protect the civil rights of every citizen in our society, I appreciate knowing your views.”

Sincerely,

Bill Clinton

UNITED STATES SENATE               
WASHINGTON, DC 20510

JOHN KERRY
MASSACHUSETTS

September 14, 1999

Dear Cliff,

Thank you for sharing with me your letter to the President requesting a meeting on the unworkable “Don't Ask, Don't Tell” policy, which I continue to oppose.

I know that we have made progress in extending civil rights since I introduced the Senate's first-ever comprehensive gay civil rights bill in 1985, but much great work remains to be done.

I learned long ago while founding Vietnam Veterans Against the War that Washington is not the front-lines of any struggle for justice: federal legislators will always follow local activists when it comes to the extension of civil rights to all Americans, including gay men and lesbians who serve in the military.

This nation is a richer place for your courage and leadership.

All best wishes,

John F. Kerry

CONGRESS of the UNITED STATES
House of Representatives
Washington, DC

December 13, 1999

Mr. Cliff Arnesen
NEGLBV
PO Box 6599
John F. Kennedy Station
Boston, Massachusetts 02114

Dear Cliff,

Obviously I share your frustration that the President continues to be unwilling to do more to alleviate the outrageous impact of the Don't Ask, Don't Tell policy. And I have recently voiced that displeasure in the enclosed letter to him which I have released to the press in Arizona. I’ll continue to work along with you to try to make changes in this.

BARNEY FRANK

Gore/Lieberman 2000
National Headquarters
601 Mainstream Drive
Nashville, TN 37228

November 4, 2000

Dear Mr. Arnesen:

Thank you so much for writing to me regarding the issue of gays enlisting in our country's armed forces. I appreciate hearing from you concerning this controversial issue.

I believe that the "Don't Ask, Don't Tell” policy should be eliminated and that gays and lesbians should be allowed to serve their country without discrimination. If I am entrusted with the presidency, I will make those changes and propose legislation in Congress to eliminate this form of discrimination. It is unacceptable that patriotic men and women who serve their nation with distinction are not only discharged, but suffer persecution and even violence.

As president, I will continue to fight against hate crimes wherever they occur. We all must stand together against bigotry, violence, prejudice and intolerance. Together, we can and will shape the 21st century into one where we are judged by our knowledge and contributions to society, rather than sexual orientation.

Again, thank you for writing and for your interest in a better future for our nation.

Sincerely,

Al Gore