Air Force sergeant kicked out during 'don't ask, don't tell' a citizen co-chair at Obama inauguration

Among the eight citizen co-chairs at Monday's presidential inauguration, according to Associated Press:

David Hall of Washington, who was training to be an Air Force pilot but was kicked out for "homosexual conduct" in 2002 and went on to work for the repeal of "don't ask, don't tell."

Here's a news release about Hall from Outserve-SLDN (Servicemembers Legal Defense Network):

(WASHINGTON DC) David Hall, a former Air Force Sergeant discharged under the repealed “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell” law and now Director of Development at OutServe-SLDN, has been chosen as one of eight Americans to serve as “citizen co-chairs” of President Barack Obama’s inauguration, taking place this weekend in Washington, DC. The eight individuals highlight the President’s first-term accomplishments.

“This is certainly the honor of a lifetime, and I am grateful to President Obama for his leadership in repealing ‘Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell’ so that no qualified American who wants to serve this country in uniform will ever again be denied that right simply because they are gay or lesbian,” said Hall.

Hall will join the seven others named today in the National Day of Service on Saturday that kicks off the inaugural events over the Martin Luther King Jr. holiday weekend. He will attend the swearing-in ceremony Monday and along with the other co-chairs will ride on an inaugural parade float highlighting the inaugural theme of “Our People: Our Future.” Monday evening, he will attend the official inaugural balls.

“There is a great deal more to do on the road to full LGBT equality in our military, but it’s important for us to take a moment this weekend to honor the leadership of this President and recognize just how far we have come. There could be no better personification of that than former Air Force Sergeant David Hall,” said Army Veteran and OutServe-SLDN Executive Director Allyson Robinson.

Hall joined the staff of Servicemembers Legal Defense Network (now OutServe-SLDN) in 2006 and currently serves as the organization's Development Director and Information Technology Manager. He joined the Air Force on March 6, 1996, following in the footsteps of his father and stepfather, who each served over 20 years in the Air Force. After basic training, he graduated from tech school with the second-highest score in his class and was assigned to the 27th Fighter Squadron at Langley Air Force Base in Hampton, Virginia.

At Langley, Hall was one of the top airmen in his flight. He worked as a weapons loader, winning several loading competitions and the Airman of the Quarter award. While based at Langley, Hall did a three-month assignment in Saudi Arabia, and was handpicked to go to Kuwait to help fix aircraft. He was also assigned to Elmendorf AFB in Anchorage, Alaska, assigned to the 90th Fighter Squadron and Weapons Standardization Section. While at Elmendorf AFB, he was a distinguished graduate from Airman Leadership School (ALS).

After receiving a strong recommendation from his active duty commander, Hall was honorably discharged as an enlisted member from the Air Force in August 2001 following his acceptance to the Air Force ROTC in May 2001. At that time, Hall had served five years and attained the rank of Staff Sergeant (E-5) with an Aircraft Armament Systems specialty.

During his active duty service, Hall received numerous awards including, the Air Force Achievement Medal, Air Force Commendation Medal, Air Force Longevity Service Award, Air Force Training Ribbon, NCO Professional Military Education Ribbon, Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal, Air Force Outstanding Unit Award, and Air Force Good Conduct Medal.

In March 2002, Hall received a coveted slot to train to be a pilot—an honor given to approximately 500 cadets nationwide each year. At the time Hall received this honor, he had the highest ranking of all the Air Force ROTC juniors in his detachment. In recognition of his talent and dedication, Hall was named a Cadet Captain and flight commander, soon advancing to the position of Operations Officer, Cadet Major, another leadership position.

Following his discharge under "Don't Ask, Don't Tell," Hall became a plaintiff in SLDN's constitutional challenge to the government's ban on open service.

For a complete listing of the Inaugural Citizen Co-Chairs, click here.

Young lesbian from Broward writes guest editorial, 'Forward': Inauguration in the Eyes of a Queer Teen

Last week I received an email from Shelby Curran, 16, a junior at David Posnack Jewish Day School in Davie:

Dear Mr. Rothaus,

My name is Shelby Curran. I am 16 years old, Jewish and a lesbian.  In addition, I am an aspiring writer.  I have been reading your articles for the past few months and have been greatly moved with your commitment to the gay community and the difference you are making. I, myself, strive to be a voice for the gay community in my own light, and in particular for youth, such as myself.

I have been thinking about President Obama’s re-election and what it means for the future of LGBTQ Americans. I am hoping that you would take the time to read my piece and consider printing it in your paper. It would greatly help me become the voice I have always strived to be, and inspire young teens like myself as you have already done. Your voice reaches many people within the community and has such an important impact.

Thank you so much for all that you do.

Here's Shelby's guest editorial:

'Forward': Inauguration in the Eyes of a Queer Teen

This month, President Obama will be sworn into the presidency for the second time on Capital Hill. Many Americans believe that the initial excitement of Barack Obama has died down since first being elected in 2008. It has been argued that instead of being viewed as an individual with potential, the president is now being seen as simply restating his ideas and how he will enforce him throughout his second term.

Here's the catch. Yes, now that we have entered 2013 and have seen Obama previously, we are aware of his beliefs because of past hindsight. However, although the meaning of "Forward" is different this time around, that does not entail that the meaning is at all lost. Americans are still "moving forward" and experiencing "change" in our lives each and everyday. The world is different than it was during Obama's first presidency, and my hope is that it will be better and have changed yet again at the conclusion of his second term as the president of the United States.

Coincidentally, President Obama's inauguration will be taking place on Martin Luther King weekend. African Americans have expressed a sense of utter importance that Obama will be sworn into presidency during this time, and are proud to see a member of their community vow to make change during such a special holiday. As a 16-year-old queer teen, I can relate to feeling the sense of pride when I see those who are like me achieve success. During the first weekend of January, I attended an LGBTQ Youth Shabbaton for Jewish queers and Allies through the organization Keshet. It was empowering to me to find a safe space for me to express my religious beliefs and heritage and allow them to coincide with my sexual orientation. This idea relates to Obama's connection to African Americans in the United States, because like African-American citizens, I also feel a great connection to leaders of my kind and hope to learn from them so I can mature to be just as impressionable for the sake of my community and my country's future.

Upon hearing Obama was reelected, my thoughts immediately rushed to the idea of having a true role model as the president of my country. It important to me as a young person to have the leader of our nation be someone who empowers me to be myself and spark a change. Obama's outward support for the queer community enables me to feel proud to be an American queer and want to participate in more LGBTQ youth functions, like Keshet's, in order to build on my sense of identity and how I can contribute to the world like Obama has. I could not imagine having a person being the face of my country who didn't view minorities of the population as being entitled to equal rights in a land that is supposedly filled with "liberty and justice for all."

It's time to adjust the lens and take a new and fresh standpoint on what it means to move forward in such a broken world is now. The strides we've already taken have been remarkable, yet there is much more that we can accomplish. I plan to watch Obama's inauguration with a sense of appreciation and an open mind. I treasure the repeated slogans of "change" and "forward" movement, because it emphasizes the needs all Americans, including myself and the rest of the queer community. What can we do to glide swiftly into a direction of being accepted and valued by fellow citizens? How can we take forward steps in the legal system and achieve the legalization of gay marriage in more states? When will queer teens and adults alike spark a revolutionary change, turn off the stereotypes of "normality" and turn on an idea of humanity?

It may have been said before. But I'll say it again, because the power of Obama's statements of "change" and "forward" movement ring loud and true for queer Americans. It is the time: This is the term to fight for that change within queer communities among the country. It may have been said before. But it shall be said again, because change is timeless.

Conservative Republican group GOProud adopts resolution supporting recognition of gay marriage

The conservative Republican group GOProud has officially adopted a resolution supporting recognition of same-sex married couples:

Statement of the GOProud Board of Directors

(Washington, D.C.) – On Saturday January 12th, the GOProud Board of Directors met in Washington, D.C. and adopted the following resolution regarding the issue of marriage and relationship recognition:

GOPROUD ON MARRIAGE AND RELATIONSHIP RECOGNITION

Since our founding, GOProud has worked exclusively on federal issues. Because marriage has been a state issue since the founding of our country, we have had no official position on marriage or relationship recognition. We have supported, and continue to support, the repeal of DOMA, and we oppose any effort to federalize marriage though a constitutional amendment. Now that GOProud's Board of Directors has voted to begin work on the state and local level, we believe it is important to lay out our principles when it comes to marriage and relationship recognition.

GOProud believes that stable, loving, committed relationships are the cornerstone of our society and should be protected and encouraged for all couples - including gay and lesbian couples. We believe that the decision about how to best do this is one that should be made at the state level and that these decisions are best made by the people directly or through their elected representatives - not by unelected judges.

Where civil marriage is possible, we support civil marriage. Where civil unions are possible, we support civil unions. Where domestic partner benefits are possible, we support domestic partner benefits. As federalists, we do not believe in a one-size-fits-all approach on almost any issue and that includes relationship recognition for gay couples.

We are firmly committed to winning hearts and minds, which is why we understand that not everyone who doesn't support marriage for gay couples is automatically a bigot or homophobe. We understand that there are people of deep faith who may have religious objections to marriage. We respect those differences and believe that no church or religious institution should ever be force to solemnize a marriage that is against its teachings.