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From Juan Lopez @ Miami.com/gay:

Grindr milestone: 500,000 gay and bi men online

Grindr, the iPhone app that uses GPS to hookup local gay and bisexual men, reached a milestone today: a half-million users.

Here’s Grindr’s news release:

GRINDR CRAZE GROWS AT RAPID PACE, REACHES LANDMARK 500,000^th MEMBER, CHANGES LANDSCAPE OF SOCIAL NETWORKING

(Los Angeles, CA, February 25, 2010) Today Grindr, the largest all-male mobile location-based networking service reached its landmark 500,000^th member and is still growing. Since the inception of this innovative social networking application in early 2009, approximately 1,000 to 2,000 new users have been signing up every day. The Grindr craze has undeniably changed the game of social networking for gay and bisexual men around the world.

Grindr’s extraordinary growth is as revolutionary as the app itself and has significantly changed the ways in which guys are choosing to meet up with their friends, make new ones or find a friendly face in locations they are visiting. Whether you just want to know if any of your friends are nearby or are looking to see if there are other gay guys in your neck of the woods, Grindr has become the easiest, quickest and most simple way for guys to meet each other.

Joel Simkhai, Grindr's founder and CEO "Grindr's growth has come from one source, our users. Grindr users are telling their friends about Grindr, they are blogging and Twittering about Grindr, and posting their success stories on their Facebook status updates."

The app, which runs on iPhone and iPod touch, uses location-based technology like GPS, cell towers and Wi-Fi to determine the user’s location. A quick tap delivers profiles, photos, and information of nearby guys. A user’s profile is available in seconds, as are chat functions and sending additional photos or even a user’s map location.

Simkhai adds, "We've been amazed with not only our growth but also by how engaged Grindr users are. A large number of users launch Grindr hourly and daily. Some guys leave it open for several hours a day. And when they change their location they will launch Grindr again to see who's nearby."  An unprecedented 30% of users check their Grindr daily, 44% check their accounts weekly. Best of all, the Grindr application is free.

"We've also been astonished that nearly half of our users are outside the United States. There are thousands of Grindr guys in London, Paris, Tokyo and Sydney. Even Tehran, Iran and Astana, Kazakhstan have Grindr guys." 54% of Grindr users are based in the United States, 17% in the United Kingdom and 9% in Australia. France and Japan take the fourth and fifth top spots respectively.

Users love the no-hassle membership, simple interface and that privacy is always controlled by the user—users can share as much or as little info as they desire.

To fill the need of Grindr users who want even more access to guys nearby—there is now a premium (extra) version for only $2.99 a month. Grindr X(tra) lets users see up to 200 more guys who are close-by (100 more than the free version allows) and it’s ad free. Grindr X(tra) also uses Push Notification, allowing users to receive messages when they are not online. Grindr and Grindr X(tra) work with both the iPhone and iPod Touch but will be available on the BlackBerry and other platforms in the near future.

Visit www.Grindr.com for more information.

To download Grindr, please visit www.getGrindr.com and to download Grindr X(tra), please visit www.GrindrXtra.com. 

Gay blood ban ‘antiquated,’ says Gay Men’s Health Crisis in new report on U.S. blood donation policies

Gay Men’s Health Crisis on Thursday released a report calling the longtime FDA ban on gay blood donations “antiquated.” Here’s the news release, followed by the report:

Antiquated U.S. Blood Donation Ban Against Gay Men Contributes to Stigma and Blood Shortages

GMHC Report Explores Alternatives to Lifetime MSM Ban

New York, NY -- The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) currently bans any man who had sex with another man (MSM), even once, since 1977 from donating blood.  The policy does not consider the potential donor's HIV status, frequency or risk of sexual activity, or if he is in a monogamous relationship.  Today, Gay Men's Health Crisis (GMHC) released a report,

A Drive for Change: Reforming U.S. Blood Donation Policies, detailing the history of the policy, efforts towards revision, and analysis of alternative donation criteria.

Advances in HIV screening of blood supplies since the 1980s make the chance of receiving a unit of HIV infected blood one in 1.5 million.  Guidance, for most donors, takes into account the "window period," the short period after HIV infection whereby a HIV screening would not detect infection.

Current FDA guidance includes a questionnaire of potential blood donors that asks 48 questions about current health status, medical history, blood donation history, sexual practices, drug use, and other behaviors.  But risk factors are not uniformly applied.  A heterosexual donor who has had sex with a knowingly HIV-positive partner 366 days ago would be eligible for donation.  By contrast, a man who has had sex with another man, regardless of the frequency, safe sex practices involved, or duration since the episode, is denied for life.

"Across the country, we experience critical shortfalls of blood supplies on a consistent basis," said Janet Weinberg, Chief Operating Officer at GMHC.  "Yet only five percent (or less) of Americans that are able to donate blood do so.  We call on the FDA to re-examine discriminatory policies that categorically exclude potential blood donors, including gay and bisexual men," added Weinberg.

The report analyzes alternative recommendations for blood donation by gay and bisexual men using a comprehensive framework to assess actual risk of HIV transmission and increased availability of blood supplies. The framework, called "DONATE," provides a way to understand how the use of advanced technology and objective screening standards can decrease the risk faced by recipients of blood products, while at the same time reducing the discriminatory impact on MSM, expanding the pool of blood donors (thereby reducing the potential for blood shortages), and raising awareness of HIV/AIDS risk among donors in general, regardless of sexual orientation or gender.
GMHC thanks Davis Polk & Wardwell LLP (Davis Polk) for their immense contribution in researching and writing this report. "We believe it is important to help GMHC highlight the current challenges with FDA blood donation guidelines," said Joseph Wardenski, a former Davis Polk associate and primary author of the report.  "We hope the report will encourage the FDA to revise its guidelines to be more in step with current technology and to avoid reinforcing stigma," added Wardenski.

GMHC is the world's first and leading provider of HIV/AIDS prevention, care and advocacy. Building on decades of dedication and expertise, we understand the reality of HIV/AIDS and empower a healthy life for all.  For further information, visit

www.gmhc.org or call 212-367-1000.

Here’s the report:

A Blood Ban Report 2010

GLCC/Pride Center’s annual Stars of the Rainbow dinner to be held March 21 at Hyatt Regency Pier 66

From the GLCC/Pride Center at Equality Park:

Here’s the news release:

GLCC/Pride Center “Stars of the Rainbow 2010” Honorees Announced

Fort Lauderdale, FL, January 13, 2010 - The GLCC/Pride Center is proud to announce their 2010 Stars of the Rainbow Honorees to be showcased at this year’s annual Stars of the Rainbow fundraising event.  2010 marks the Center’s 17^th anniversary of providing valued services and programs to the community.

Guests attending this spectacular poolside event will be given the chance to make a difference in our community while gazing at the sunset over South Florida. This year’s theme is “Black & White” and guests are encouraged to wear cocktail-chic black or white attire. In addition to the always emotional Stars of the Rainbow ceremony, guests will be greeted by the sounds of the Delray String Quartet and be delighted by an elegant display of cuisine, fashion and entertainment.

Date: Sunday, March 21^st 2010

Location: Hyatt Regency Pier Sixty-Six, 2301 S.E. 17^th Street Causeway, Fort Lauderdale

Time: 4:00 – 6:00 pm

A Limited amount of tickets are currently available for $150 and can be purchased at www.starsoftherainbow.com

For questions about underwriting and sponsorship opportunities, please contact Robert Boo, Director of Development at 954.463.9005 or email rboo@glccsf.org.

2010 Stars of the Rainbow Honorees: The honorees represent individuals, businesses and organizations that exemplify the spirit of volunteerism and/or activism.  Honorees have represented the LGBT community in a positive light, and have supported the efforts of the GLCC/Pride Center.  This year’s honorees are:

Business Star of the Year :  Rosie’s Bar & Grill

Community Star of the Year:  Richard Gray

Board Member Star of the Year:  Nicole Mannarino, CPA—Board Treasurer, Partner, MarcumRachlin, a division of Marcum LLP

Public Official Star of the Year:  Anthony Neidwicki, Oakland Park City Commission

Volunteer Star of the Year: Lavender Events for Women

Alan Schubert Humanitarian: Mona Pittenger

Tyler Healis Sustainability: John C. Graves Charitable Fund at the Community Foundation of Broward

The GLCC/Pride Center was founded in 1993 by philanthropist and gay pioneer, Alan Schubert.  Alan recognized the need for a comprehensive program of services to support the gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender community, primarily in Broward County. The GLCC/Pride Center, a 501(c)(3) not-for-profit organization, was established and now serves as a source for information, education, advocacy and support.  It provides a positive environment that fosters personal development and quality of life for those within the community it serves.

GLCC/Pride Center Mission Statement: We provide a welcoming, safe space—an inclusive home that celebrates, nurtures and empowers the LGBTQ communities and our friends and neighbors in South Florida.

Additional information about the GLCC/Pride Center can be obtained by visiting www.glccsf.org.

Right Wing News: Gays and lesbians finding their place in the GOP

An e-mail I received from Dr. Benjamin Lewis, pictured, president of Sunshine Republicans in Fort Lauderdale:

By JOHN HAWKINS for Right Wing News:

GOProud's  co-sponsorship of CPAC was controversial in some quarters right from the beginning. Liberty University  pulled out because GOProud was also allowed to be a co-sponor of CPAC. At the actual event, some guy named Ryan Sorba trashed GOProud and got boo'd off the stage as a result:

Click here to read the complete posting.

Beverly Hills disowns Miss California contestant after beauty queen speaks out against same-sex marriage

Associated Press

BEVERLY HILLS, Calif. -- Less than a year after dethroned Miss California USA Carrie Prejean stirred up controversy with her remarks against gay marriage, a similar war of words is brewing in Beverly Hills.

Beverly Hills Mayor Nancy Krasne said Wednesday she is outraged over a Miss California USA contestant who is claiming to represent the city in the upcoming pageant and who spoke out against same-sex marriage in recent media interviews.

Krasne said in a statement that 23-year-old Lauren Ashley does not live in Beverly Hills or represent the city in any capacity. Krasne said she was shocked to see statements made by a beauty pageant contestant under the name of Beverly Hills, "which has a long history of tolerance and respect."

Ashley recently told Fox News and other media outlets that same-sex marriage goes against God and the Bible.

Keith Lewis, a K2 Productions stage director for the Miss California USA pageant, told the Los Angeles Times that contestants choose the area they represent and Ashley chose to compete as Miss Beverly Hills in November 2010.

A phone listing for Ashley could not be found.

Krasne said the city has contacted Miss California USA pageant officials to determine ways to formally prevent any beauty contestants from claiming the title of Miss Beverly Hills in the future.

Ashley's comments came just months after Prejean, the former Miss California USA 2009, reached a confidential settlement with pageant organizers on dueling lawsuits over her outspoken stance against gay marriage.

Prejean sued Miss California USA organizers in August for libel, slander and religious discrimination. She accused them of telling her to stop mentioning God even before her controversial remarks against gay marriage.

Prejean was fired in June after pageant officials accused her of missing events, an allegation she denied. The pageant later countersued Prejean.

Prejean said she was dethroned because she said during the Miss USA pageant that gays shouldn't be allowed to marry.

Marine Corps: Study gay ban but don't hurt force

By ANNE FLAHERTY, Associated Press

WASHINGTON -- The Marine Corps commandant said Wednesday that the ability of U.S. troops to fight and win wars must trump other concerns as the nation considers whether to let gays to serve openly in the military.

In testimony before a House committee, Gen. James Conway said he supports a Pentagon assessment to determine how to lift the ban. But he also suggested that civil rights ultimately would have to take a back seat if it meant tampering with the military's ability to protect the country.

"That's what they have been built to do under the current construct and I would argue that we've done a pretty good job bringing that to pass," he told the House Armed Services Committee.

"My concern would be that somehow that central purpose or focus were to become secondary to the discussion," he said.

Conway is seen as the most resistant among the service chiefs to efforts under way in Congress and the Pentagon to repeal the 1993 "don't ask, don't tell" law. But his testimony indicates that he won't stand in the way as Defense Secretary Robert Gates undertakes a comprehensive study on how to lift the ban without hurting the force.

President Barack Obama has pledged to change the policy, saying it unfairly punishes patriots who want to serve their country. Congress would have to agree, and it's unclear whether Democrats would have enough votes to pass the legislation.

The opinion of the service chiefs, and Conway's in particular, is expected to factor heavily into the debate.

It's Conway's job to ensure that young recruits are prepared to deploy to dangerous and remote regions of the world. Because Marines frequently represent the military's first line of attack and are dropped behind enemy lines, unit cohesion and morale are considered vital to their ability to succeed.

In 1993, opponents of President Bill Clinton's proposal to lift the ban on gays argued successfully that it might hurt military effectiveness. Facing resistance in Congress, Clinton settled for "don't ask, don't tell," which allowed gays to serve so long as they kept their sexual orientation a secret.

Conway's concerns have been echoed by other service chiefs.

On Tuesday, Army Chief of Staff Gen. George Casey and Air Force Chief of Staff Gen. Norton Schwartz said they had serious concerns about lifting the ban with two wars raging.

Chief of Naval Operations Adm. Gary Roughead told House lawmakers on Wednesday that he, too, wants the study to be complete before any changes are made.

"That needs to be done because only with that information can we discuss the force that we have, (and) not someone else's," Roughead said.

Britain, Canada, Australia and Israel allow gays to serve openly. Other nations already allow women to serve on submarines; the Navy lifted its ban this month.

Both Conway and Roughead said they would oppose an immediate freeze on firings under "don't ask, don't tell" until Congress can consider broader legislation repealing the 1993 law.

Democratic Sen. Carl Levin of Michigan, chairman of the Senate Armed Services Committee, has proposed a freeze as a way of allowing gay troops to fight without worrying that they could lose their job.

"Half measures, I think, would only be confusing in the end," Conway said.

Christopher Preble, head of foreign studies at the Cato Institute think tank, said that the service chiefs recognize that change is inevitable, but that the military shouldn't wait too long to determine its next move.

"The military as an institution should not find itself so out of step with the public at large that it cannot relate to the society it's defending," he said.

On Wednesday, the Defense Department turned down a request by a House subcommittee that the service chiefs return on March 3 to testify solely on the issue of gays in the military. This week's hearings were focused primarily on the 2011 budget.

In a letter to lawmakers, the Pentagon said it was "longstanding policy" to reserve the chiefs' testimony for the full committee.

---

Associated Press writer Pauline Jelinek contributed to this report.

Equality Maryland, ACLU applaud opinion that state must recognize all marriages of same-sex couples

News release from the ACLU:

Baltimore, MD -- Equality Maryland and the American Civil Liberties Union of Maryland applauded an opinion released today by the Office of Attorney General Doug Gansler that states that marriages of same-gender couples validly entered into in other jurisdictions may and should be honored here at home.  The Attorney General’s opinion relies on longstanding legal precedent that says couples who have been legally married in another state are treated under Maryland law as validly married, even if that marriage could not performed in the State of Maryland.

"The Attorney General's opinion simply states that Maryland law recognizes marriages of couples who married out of state, pursuant to Maryland comity law," said Sen. Richard Madaleno (D-Montgomery County), who requested the formal legal opinion in May 2009. “We expect and look forward to state agencies acting in accord with the opinion and the law, and reviewing their practices and regulations to see what changes may be necessary to comply.”

"While this is welcome news for those couples who were legally married in one of the growing number of states with equality in marriage, nothing in the Attorney General’s opinion changes the unacceptable fact that same-sex couples cannot obtain marriage licenses in Maryland,” added Senator Madaleno.

Maryland follows New York State, which honors marriages between same-gender couples even though such marriages are not performed in that jurisdiction.  Five states -- Massachusetts, Connecticut, Iowa, Vermont, and New Hampshire – and the District of Columbia have passed marriage equality laws allowing same gender couples to marry.

"This important opinion is consistent with the long-standing tradition of legal recognition of valid marriages entered into in other states. And it is a positive development that will mean greater security, stability and peace of mind for legally married same-gender spouses whose marriages should rightfully be honored here at home," said ACLU of Maryland Executive Director Susan Goering.

“The Attorney General’s opinion is also consistent with Maryland’s public policy, which has steadily supported increasing legal protections for same-sex couples and their families. In recent years, the legislature has granted approximately 15 protections of legal marriage to same-gender couples in the areas of medical decision-making and inheritance,” said Morgan Meneses-Sheets, Executive Director of Equality Maryland.

“However, most of the 400+ state-level legal protections of marriage still remain out of reach to thousands of committed couples.  Only civil marriage here at home and an end to discrimination by the federal government will provide full and equal protection under the law,” said Meneses-Sheets. 

Florida GLBT Democratic Caucus this weekend in St. Pete; delegates to meet Senate and attorney general hopefuls

The Florida GLBT Democratic Caucus meets this weekend in St. Petersburg. Here’s a news release from the caucus, including a full schedule and list of celebrities scheduled to attend: 

FLORIDA GLBT DEMOCRATIC CAUCUS PRESENTS “OUTBURST!”

St. Pete Hosts Winter Conference; Candidates, Elected Officials Scheduled

Fort Lauderdale – The Florida GLBT Democratic Caucus, an arm of the Florida Democratic Party representing the Sunshine State’s gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender (GLBT) residents, will hold its winter conference in St. Petersburg Friday, February 26 through Sunday, February 28. OUTburst! is hosted by the Stonewall Democrats of Pinellas County and is being held to coincide with the Pinellas County DEC dinner.

Speakers include a wide range of state, local and national political figures and candidates, including a number of Florida’s openly-gay elected officials. Expected to participate are Attorney General candidates Dan Gelber and Dave Aronburg; US Senate candidates Kendrick Meek, Maurice Ferre and Kevin Burns; Alabama’s first openly-gay member of the state legislature, Patricia Todd; Michael Mitchell, executive director of National Stonewall Democrats; Florida Democratic Party Chair Karen Thurman; FDP Executive Director Scott Arceneaux; Florida CFO candidate Lorraine Ausley; and Raymond Buckley, openly-gay Chair of the Association of State Democratic Chairs and Vice Chair of the Democratic National Committee. Also participating are several of Florida’s openly-gay elected officials, including St. Petersburg Commissioner Steve Kornell, Hillsborough County Commissioner Kevin Beckner, and Broward County Mayor Ken Keechl.

In addition, the Florida GLBT Democratic Caucus PAC and National Stonewall Democrats PAC will host a joint fundraiser Saturday immediately following the conference. Themed “Honoring Florida’s GLBT Elected Officials,” this event is a separate ticket and will feature a number of the state’s openly-gay elected leaders.

Registration is $60 for Caucus members is $75 for non-members, which covers the cost of the event and includes continental breakfast and lunch on Saturday and brunch on Sunday. The conference hotel is the Hilton St. Petersburg Bayfront, located at 333 First Street South. Participants can register for the conference and the joint Caucus PAC/National Stonewall Democrats PAC fundraiser, and make hotel reservations at www.floridaGLBTdemocrats.org.

The current agenda follows. All events except as noted are OPEN PRESS.

WHAT: OUTburst!, the Winter Conference of the Florida GLBT Democratic Caucus

WHEN: Friday, February 26 through Sunday, February 28

WHERE: Hilton St. Petersburg Bayfront

333 First Street South

St. Petersburg, Florida

FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 26

6:00pm Progressive event in Downtown St. Petersburg at Mindy Solomon Gallery, 124 2^nd Ave. NE, and Herman Home, 153 2^nd Ave. N.

SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 27

8:30am Registration and continental breakfast

Hilton St. Petersburg Bayfront

333 First Street South

9:00am Morning Session: call to order and morning business session. Speakers include:

· Caucus president Michael Albetta

· Ramsay McLauchlan, Chair, Pinellas County Democratic Party

· St. Rep. Patricia Todd, first openly-gay member of the Alabama Legislature

· Michael Mitchell, Executive Director, National Stonewall Democrats

10:00am Breakout workshops, to be repeated at 11:00am

· Interactive Technology: Steve Lapinski, Phillip Perry

· Why and How to Form a Florida PAC: Cheryl Forchilli, Gail Caldwell

· Candidate Vetting and Endorsement: Rick Boylan, Bill Bliss, Ron Mills

· Chapter Development: Sally Phillips, Susan Smith

Noon Buffet lunch featuring Attorney General candidate town hall with Dan Gelber and Dave Aronburg moderated by Mitch Perry, Political Editor, Creative Loafing

1:00pm Afternoon Session: Speakers include openly-gay Broward County Mayor Ken Keechl and a presentation on the Caucus website Religion and Gays

1:45pm Breakout workshops, to be repeated at 2:40pm

· Dealing Effectively with Communities of Faith: Ricc Rollins, Jay Brundage

· GLBT Issues and Keeping Elected Officials on Them: St. Petersburg Commissioner Steve Kornell, Hillsborough County Commissioner Kevin Beckner, Cathy James, Michael Rajner, Lisa Comingore

· Voter Registration, Vote by Mail and Early Voting Strategies: Steven McHugh

· Using VoteBuilder Effectively: Mitch Kates, Dawn Hunter

2:40pm Lay of the Land: GLBT Candidate Opportunity Review: FDP Executive Director Scott Arceneaux

CLOSED PRESS

3:45pm Closing Session. Speakers include:

· FDP Chair Karen Thurman

· Raymond Buckley, openly-gay Chair of the Association of State Democratic Chairs and Vice-Chair of the DNC

· US Senate candidates Kevin Burns and Maurice Ferre

· Florida CFO candidate Lorraine Ausley (invited)

4:45pm Adjourn

5:00pm “Honoring Florida’s GLBT Elected Officials,” a joint fundraiser for Florida GLBT Democratic Caucus PAC and National Stonewall Democrats PAC

Executive Lounge, 15^th Floor

SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 28

10:30am Brunch featuring US Senate candidate Kendrick Meek

The home of Rick Boylan and Steven Brandt

250 Isle Drive

St. Pete Beach

Media Matters, top gay leaders demand accurate news reports on ‘don’t ask, don’t tell’

News release from Media Matters:

Media Matters joins organizations, activists to demand honest coverage of DADT

Washington, DC – Today, after Media Matters for America released a comprehensive review of the myths and falsehoods media conservatives have pushed in their efforts to prevent a repeal of the Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell (DADT) law, a coalition of leading organizations and activists joined together to issue an open letter to the news media demanding that reports on DADT remain accurate and fair.

Media Matters’ President Eric Burns joins AMERICAblog’s John Aravosis, Courage Campaign’s Rick Jacobs, GLAAD’s Jarrett T. Barrios, Human Rights Campaign’s Joe Solmonese, Knights Out’s Becky Kanis, National Center for Lesbian Rights’ Kate Kendall, National Gay and Lesbian Task Force’s Rea Carey, National Security Network’s Heather Hurlburt, Servicemembers Legal Defense Network’s Aubrey Sarvis, Servicemembers United’s Alex Nicholson, Truman National Security Project’s Rachel Kleinfeld, VoteVets’ Jon Soltz, and Lt. Dan Choi, US Army Infantry Officer and Arabic Linguist in signing on to the following letter:

Interested Parties:

Sen. Joe Lieberman (I-CT) has announced he will be the chief sponsor of legislation to repeal the Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell law. The proposed repeal signifies a crucial step forward in the long-overdue process of allowing gay men and lesbians to serve honestly and proudly in the United States armed services.

Since its inception, the Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell law has resulted in the firing of at least 13,500 servicemembers and has reportedly cost the military an estimated $555.2 million. Allowing gay men and lesbians to serve openly has proven successful for many of our closest allies and enjoys broad support in the United States among the public and top military leaders alike, including Defense Secretary Robert Gates, Joint Chiefs Chairman Adm. Mike Mullen, and former Joint Chiefs Chairmen Gen. Colin Powell and Gen. John Shalikashvili.

Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell proponents too often paint a distorted picture of what a repeal would mean. Today, Media Matters for America released a comprehensive review detailing how opinion pages and cable news talk shows have been flooded with falsehoods and anti-gay rhetoric to support the dubious argument that Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell is working.

Myths that repealing Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell would adversely affect unit cohesion, retention, or the HIV rate among servicemembers are not based in reality. Similarly, the anti-gay rhetoric permeating many of these arguments only serves to cheapen the national discussion on this important issue.

Because news outlets continue to repeat these outrageous myths, a coalition of organizations is banding together to combat misinformation about the Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell law. As Congress moves forward on this legislation, we will be vigilant in ensuring that news reports are accurate and fair. The public deserves an honest debate -- not one marred by blatant falsehoods and anti-gay attacks.

Signed,

AMERICAblog, John Aravosis, Editor

Lt. Dan Choi, US Army Infantry Officer and Arabic Linguist, West Point Graduate, Openly Gay and still serving

Courage Campaign, Rick Jacobs, Founder & Chairman

Gay & Lesbian Alliance Against Defamation (GLAAD), Jarrett T. Barrios, President

Human Rights Campaign, Joe Solmonese, President

Knights Out: West Point LGBT Grads, Becky Kanis, Chair

Media Matters for America, Eric Burns, President

National Center For Lesbian Rights, Kate Kendell, Executive Director

National Gay and Lesbian Task Force, Rea Carey, Executive Director

National Security Network, Heather Hurlburt, Executive Director

Servicemembers Legal Defense Network, Aubrey Sarvis, Executive Director

Servicemembers United, Alexander Nicholson, Executive Director

Truman National Security Project, Rachel Kleinfeld, CEO & President

VoteVets, Jon Soltz, Co-Founder & Chairman

-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------

BACKGROUND

Media Matters’ review of myths and falsehoods about DADT include:

MYTH: Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell is working

REALITY: Over 13,500 service members reportedly fired under law, including decorated officers and those in "critical occupations."

MYTH: Repeal would undermine morale and unit cohesion

REALITY: Unit cohesion argument "not supported by any scientific studies."

MYTH: Military experts oppose the repeal of DADT

REALITY: More than 100 retired generals and admirals have called for DADT's repeal.

MYTH: The public does not support repeal of DADT

REALITY: Numerous polls find broad support for gay men and lesbians serving openly in the military

MYTH: Right-wing attacks on DADT repeal are not anti-gay

REALITY: Prominent right-wing figures opposing repeal have a history of anti-gay rhetoric.

MYTH: DADT repeal would adversely affect retention

REALITY: Myth defies experiences of several other countries that have allowed gay men and lesbians to serve openly.

MYTH: Experience of other nations aren’t relevant because “nobody counts on” their armies

REALITY: Several nations have fought in wars after allowing gay men and lesbians to serve openly.

MYTH: Only progressives support the repeal of DADT

REALITY: Polls show support for repeal of DADT among many Republicans, conservatives.

MYTH: DADT repeal would expose servicemembers to greater HIV risk

REALITY: Military regulations and procedures already exist to prevent the spread of HIV.

To read the entire review, please see: http://mediamatters.org/research/201002240012

Media Matters for America is a Web-based, not-for-profit, 501(c)(3) progressive research and information center dedicated to comprehensively monitoring, analyzing, and correcting conservative misinformation in the U.S. media. For more information, visit www.mediamatters.org