10 Year Anniversary of the Termination of DADT (Don't Ask, Don't Tell)

 10 years ago, Don't Ask, Don't Tell, aka, DADT, was no longer, officially, the "law of the land," in terms of those who served in military service. 

DADT was signed into law by then-President Bill Clinton as a "compromise bill," bringing an end to the outright ban on LGBTQIA+ people serving in the military, in 1993. What it meant was that as long as no one talked or mentioned anything about a person being LGBTQIA+ while serving this country in the military, (aka, don't ask a person if they are LGBTQIA+, and don't tell if they are, kind of thing), the then-closeted LGBTQIA+ person could continue to serve. An estimated 13,000 military service people were discharged between the date that then-President Clinton signed the bill to the date that the repeal bill came into effect on Sept. 20, 2011. Then-President Obama had signed the new repeal bill in December 2010. 

This is what President Biden said today: "Ten years ago today, a great injustice was remedied and a tremendous weight was finally lifted off the shoulders of tens of thousands of dedicated American servicemembers," Biden said in a statement issued by the White House. "It was the right thing to do. And, it showed once again that America is at its best when we lead not by the example of our power, but by the power of our example."

Along with this anniversary celebration, the Department of Veteran Affairs also is in the process of correcting a great wrong: Department of Veterans Affairs issued a policy clarification on Monday stating that veterans who were given other than honorable discharges based on homosexual conduct, gender identity or HIV status may be eligible for VA benefits, such as home loan guaranty, compensation and pension, health care, homeless program and/or burial benefits, among others. The department said the clarification offers guidance to VA adjudicators and to veterans "who were affected by previous homophobic and transphobic policies" who "have not applied for a discharge upgrade due to the perception that the process could be onerous."

For more information go to: https://www.nbcnews.com/nbc-out/out-news/biden-recognizes-10th-anniversary-dont-ask-dont-tell-repeal-rcna2086.

What an incredible, gracious gift! This is the US government doing this.

Wow.

Just imagine if the Church, universal, were to say to the clergy and members who are LGBTQIA+, who were excommunicated and defrocked, along with institutions of higher education connected with the church who denied tenure to people who are LGBTQIA+ (me, in this case), were, first, apologized to for the outdated, hurtful, hateful politics that caused our removal from the Church. Second, imagine if the Church, universal, then switched the "status" of all of us, making us clergy and people in good standing in our various communities of faith. Then, third, the Church, universal, would now provide us benefits that we were excluded from because we are LGBTQIA+! That would include health care benefits, retirement benefits, compensation benefits (like lost wages), and covering even burial benefits. 

Imagine.

As I write this, I am envious of what is being done in the name of the US government in terms of reparation with LGBTQIA+ military service personnel.

Dear Church: take the hint, for what it's worth. Consider making a similar move.

Amen.

Celebration Time! The New Bishop, The Rev. Dr. Megan Rohrer, of the Evangelical Lutheran Church of America

It is time for us, who are LGBTQIA+ people of faith, to celebrate the new Bishop in the Evangelical Lutheran Church of America (ELCA): The Rev. Dr. Meghan Rohrer.

The Rev. Dr. Rohrer will be bishop of the Sierra Pacific Synod of the ELCA, covering 200 congregations in that area, making Dr. Rohrer the first out transgender bishop. Dr. Rohrer was the first out trans pastor in the ELCA when ordained as a pastor in 2006. What was unique was that the ELCA did not open itself up to out LGBTQIA+ clergy until 2010. 

Ross Muray, an out gay ELCA deacon and senior director of the GLAAD Media Institute, will be assisting in the ceremony. Murray said, "While Bishop Rohrer's installation is an historic step in LGBTQ(IA+) leadership in the church, it is a continuation of the ministry that Bishop Rohrer has been doing for their whole ministry...They recognize the face of God in the marginalized and the privileged, and focus their ministry on youth, the homeless, people of color, LGBTQ people, and others historically left out of the life of the church."

Friday and Saturday (Sept. 18 and 19) will be filled with other events, including a listening session by the Rev. Nicole Garcia, the first Latinx trans pastor in the ELCA, along with a roller-skating event to raise funds for a youth camp, and an interfaith memorial service commemorating the 20th anniversary of the 9/11 attacks.

Said Rohrer: "The diverse events surrounding my installation point to a God who joins us in worship, on the streets, at our jobs, and when we roller-skate...During all the difficulties we have encountered through the pandemic, it is more important than eve to celebrate joy, hope, and love everywhere that we find it." 

And I would add, "make it." 

For more on this event, please go to: https://www.advocate.com/transgender/2021/9/10/first-out-trans-bishop-installed-lutheran-denomination

And herein lies the hope for our future. I pray that there will be day without any more "firsts" of such kind in all Christian denominations and churches when welcoming those of us LGBTQIA+ people of faith to fulfill the calling of God's Spirit. The arduous task we face as LGBTQIA+ people of faith, breaking through ridiculous boundaries, crossing over bizarre obstacles, defeating hate with love, and thwarting the mis-educated Christians with educational and scholarly work, who are still hostile to LGBTQIA+ people of faith must come to an end. Let's get past all the schisms in our churches, and move on to do the work of the Gospel. Hopefully we are on our way in which our gender and sexual orientation are not as important as is our calling to serve and love God and neighbor.

May it be so.

Amen.