CHANGE: Navy panel allows openly gay sailor to continue to serve

[jefferson_dem]

:patriot:

Navy panel allows openly gay sailor to continue to serve

(CNN) -- Gay rights advocates claimed victory Saturday after an administrative panel in California this week recommended not to discharge an openly homosexual sailor.

Although legislation to repeal "don't ask, don't tell" was signed into law late last year, it has not been put into effect. But the panel's vote is believed to be the first case in which the military chose not to enforce the controversial policy, according to a gay rights organization.

Petty Officer 2nd Class Derek Morado, 26, was facing military discharge after a comrade reported that he saw photos posted of the gay serviceman on Myspace kissing another man.

"I'm relieved it's over and I'm glad I get to continue serving," Morado told CNN on Saturday. "I've had plenty of time for the news to digest, but I'm still so relieved. I just want to continue doing what I have been doing ."

"This is the first hearing that's resulted in a retention where the discharge is not continued," said Robin McGehee, director of Get Equal, a gay rights group that publicized Morado's case.

President Obama signed the "don't ask" repeal into law just before Christmas. But administration officials have said the actual policy change won't take effect until most training is completed throughout the military. Also, Obama, Defense Secretary Robert Gates and Joint Chiefs Chairman Adm. Mike Mullen must certify that the ranks are properly prepared and that readiness, recruitment and retention won't suffer.

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http://edition.cnn.com/2011/US/04/02/dadt.hearing/index.html

[Bluenorthwest]

1. Activists sent many, many signatures along with Derek

So for those of us who are involved and engaged, it was yet another battle that should not have been, another 'hearing' revolving around prejudice on the part of the military. They felt the pressure and made the right decision. They knew that the world was watching them.
Every victory is won by work. None by nodding along with the status quo. This hearing, another chore. On DU, some straights said the call from Derek for signatures was a fundraising ploy. Others offered their signature to assist him. Still, some do the right thing, and some look for ways to degrade the fight for rights.
I'm very happy for Derek, also happy we did not leave him hanging at the hearing without the community behind him.

[ThomCat]

3. Yes, if not for a hell of a lot of hard work, a lot of signatures

showing that the public was involved in this, and I think the implied threat of a lot of bad publicity, I think this easily would have gone the other way.

The argument that he was outed prior to DADT being overturned, so he could be discharged based on the laws and regulations that were in force at the time he was outed, could have carried a hell of a lot more weight if not for the publicity and support.

I hope this is a turning point though. :)

Edit: Shouldn't this be in GD, instead of GD-P?

[Pisces]

2. Excellent news!! n/t.

[Very_Boring_Name]

4. What kind of douchebag actually goes out of their way to report someone for kissing another man?

Why can't these douchebags mind their own fucking business?

[sakabatou]

5. Because they're douchebags