The New York Observer » Don’t Ask Don’t Tell

Private Romeo: Every Soldier is a Lover

From a World War II Macbeth in an Alan Ladd trench coat to a drug-dealing Shylock in an all-black Merchant of Venice set in Harlem, Shakespeare has been boldly “opened up” before. (A rock ’n’ roll Hamlet, anyone?) But a gay Romeo and Juliet, both played by military school cadets on their way to West Point, is a new one on me. It’s Private Romeo, a brave, controversial, not always successful, but hugely adventurous and highly liberated movie that offers a fresh take on the Bard in the age of same-sex marriage. Like it or not, you will not go away yawning. Read More

Bill Clinton Endorses Same-Sex Marriage [Updated]

Former President Clinton comes out in support of same-sex marriage, a sign of how far into the mainstream the LGBT agenda has become. (It was Clinton, after all, who signed things like the Defense of Marriage Act, which allows states the right to refuse same-sex marriages performed in other states; and Don't Ask Don't Read More

Obama Signs Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell Repeal [Watch]

This morning, President Obama signed the Don't Ask, Don't Tell Repeal Act of 2010, ridding us of one of the most egregious and backwards-thinking laws on the books. (It's still a shocker that the Congress pushed the thing through last week, somehow redeeming lame ducks the world over.) What it all means is that following Read More

Gaga and Gillibrand

After Youtubing and Twittering at one another last week, Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand and pop star Lady Gaga finally spoke on the phone today for about ten minutes about the military's "Don't Ask, Don't Tell" policy.

The duo spoke as Gaga was headed up to Maine for a rally intended to push Maine's two undecided senators, Read More

Federal Judge Declares ‘Don’t Ask Don’t Tell’ Unconstitutional

U.S. District Court Judge Virginia Phillips (Riverside, CA) has issued a ruling that the military ban on out gay soldiers is unconstitutional. According to Phillips, "don't ask, don't tell" is a violation of the 1st amendment. Phillips also ruled that the military's anti-gay policies do not aid military readiness, denying an argument from supporters of Read More

Lieberman Comes Around on D.A.D.T., Gillibrand Delighted

As recently as ten days ago--after months of prodding from the White House--it still looked like Senator Joe Lieberman might not back repealing "Don't Ask, Don't Tell." But this morning, the Senate's resident obstructionist said he'll be glad to support the policy's repeal--he'll even co-sponsor a bill to make it happen.

"I Read More

McHugh Clears Committee, Says He Will Follow Orders on Don’t Ask Don’t Tell

ALBANY—The Senate Armed Services Committee has adjourned its hearing on the confirmation of Representative John McHugh to be secretary of the Army.

Senators Chuck Schumer, who introduced McHugh, and Carl Levin, who chairs the committee, both said they look forward to a "swift" confirmation by the full Senate. It is entirely possible, sources Read More

After Court Battle, Military Recruiters to Appear at Yale Law Today

Miltary recruiters will participate in a recruiting fair at Yale Law School for the first time in five years this afternoon, after a decision by the federal government to withhold some $350 million in funding from the school was vindicated in an appeals court. The funding withdrawal was threatened in compliance with the Solomon Amendment, Read More