Be All You Can Be

Lt. Dan Choi, who was put before an Army National Guard committee in June and subsequently discharged for not adhering to the "don't ask, don't tell" policy when he announced that he was gay on national television has been reinstated!!

OR NOT...

Last night, many news outlets were reporting that Dan had been called back to active duty. Today, it has been announced that though he is not on "active duty", Dan, with the support of his command, was allowed to drill with his National Guard unit for training on critical infantry tasks with his soldiers.

For those of you who don't know the full story, Choi who majored in Arabic language at West Point, revealed his sexual orientation during an appearance March 19, 2009 on "The Rachel Maddow Show." Soon after, the army made plans to fire him, saying he had "negatively affected good order and discipline in the New York Army National Guard."

Dan fought this insane dismissal all summer long, even writing a letter to President Obama stating:

"My subordinates know I'm gay. They don't care, they are professional. As an infantry officer, I am not accustomed to begging. But I beg you today: Do not fire me"

With all the controversy surrounding DADT, it's great to see the military taking a step in the right direction. Who knows- maybe people are beginning to understand that it's not about who you sleep with, it's about your commitment to your country and yourself. It's right there in the slogan... BE ALL YOU CAN BE. Well, all we can be is who we are.

Choi was actually scheduled to appear at the National Gay and Lesbian Task Force's Creating Change Conference over the weekend but was called back to his unit instead! While we would have loved to chat up the Arabic translator at the conference, we're all very glad to see him back at the job, doing what he does best!

Congrats Dan! We stand by you!

Respect and Blessings,

The FOOW Crew

Altering the System

It is being recommended that President Obama consider openly gay Daniel Alter for the position of federal judge!! Alter served six years as an assistant U.S. attorney for the southern district of New York and as the National Director for the Anti-Defamation League.

New York Senator, Chuck Schumer says:

Daniel Alter couldn't be a more perfect choice. He is a brilliant attorney who possesses the knowledge, balanced views and temperament required of a federal judge. His outstanding leadership skills, his commitment to justice, and his extensive experience make him an exceptional choice for a position on the federal bench. I'm proud to nominate Daniel Alter. Period. But I am equally proud to nominate him because he is a history-maker who will be the first openly gay male judge in American history.

Denis Dison, spokesperson for the Gay & Lesbian Victory Fund says of the decision to nominate Alter, "we're entering an era where qualified people are no longer excluded from leadership positions because of their sexual orientation or gender identity."

This would be incredible for our country! Let's make some history, people!

-Vignette-Noelle Lammott, Fish out of Water Blog Commentator -

"To find out more information about LGBTQ rights, gay marriage, religion and homosexuality, The Bible's stance on gay relationships or the politics around gay marragie please feel free to contact us or book a screening of FISH OUT OF WATER. Please note that a study guide can be downloaded from the "Book A Screening" page at www.fishoutofwaterfilm.com"

Change Is Good

So, this weekend the "Gay & Lesbian Creating Change Conference" is being held in Dallas, Texas! Two of our "tour producers" from the Great American Outing will be going to the conference, hunting for local organizers to help us plan our tour stops in their own cities!



YOUR CITY COULD BE NEXT!!!

For information on our tour, please check out : http://greatamericanouting.com/

And if you'd like more information on this amazing conference, check it out here!

Stay tuned for more FOOW news and pictures from the conference!!


"To find out more information about LGBTQ rights, gay marriage, religion and homosexuality, The Bible's stance on gay relationships or the politics around gay marragie please feel free to contact us or book a screening of FISH OUT OF WATER. Please note that a study guide can be downloaded from the "Book A Screening" page at www.fishoutofwaterfilm.com"

Ignorance is Chambliss

As most of you know, the "Don't Ask, Don't Tell" policy is under scrutiny right now. Among the right wingers in opposition to allowing gays in the military are Senator John McCain and Ike Skelton (Missouri dem who chairs the House Armed Services Committee).

I was listening to the Stephanie Miller Show this morning and they made and excellent point when someone asked if the military was afraid disco balls would suddenly appear in the chow hall. I pose the same question? What do they really think is going to happen?! Well, I can tell you what Senator Saxby Chambliss thinks will happen... Chambliss expressed his concern at the Senate Armed Services Committee hearing on Tuesday that repealing DADT would lead to "alcohol use, adultery, fraternization, and body art".

Hmmm...

Body art you say?

Well then...

Honestly, I really don't think Chambliss has any right to say who can and cannot join the military, after all, it was five college deferments and a bum knee that kept him out of Vietnam (while his 2002 opponent and incumbent, Max Cleland, left three limbs over there). Oh...and by the way, his bum knee didn't stop him from playing college ball. I can also tell you what California Republican Duncan Hunter thinks will happen. Hunter was on NPR Tuesday and spewed this onto the airwaves:

"I think that its bad for the cohesiveness and the unity of the military units, especially those that are in close combat, that are in close quarters in country right now. Its not the time to do it. I think its – the military is not civilian life. And I think the folks who have been in the military that have been in these very close situations with each other, there has to be a special bond there. And I think that bond is broken if you open up the military to transgenders, to hermaphrodites, to gays and lesbians."

It's despicable.

But, as they say in Sound of Music "When God (or in this case, small minded bigots) closes a door, somewhere he opens a window". Although there are a number of people wholeheartedly against DADT, we do have allies in Israel, France and Great Britain where gays in the military is the least of their worries and it is widely accepted. Also- Colin Powell has recanted his previous statements on gays not belonging in the military and is backing President Obama's bid to end this unconstitutional law.

I say, if people want to serve this country, let them serve. I for one am an American and would not risk my life - so, I am grateful for those who are willing to do so.

When Elephants Fly

I know this is somewhat old news, but I can't help but continually be just a little bit inspired by the fact that the McCain women are standing up for equality by joining the "NOH8" campaign!

As most of you know, NOH8 is a gay rights group opposed to Proposition 8, which was passed by California voters in 2008 banning same- sex marriage.

NOH8's website says of Cindy McCain's support "Although we had worked with Meghan McCain before and were aware of her own position, we'd never really thought the cause might be something her mother would get behind. We have a huge amount of respect for both of these women for being brave enough to make it known they support equal marriage rights for all

Americans."

I don't know about you, but it makes me wonder if our first lady, the lovely Ms. Obama, will be showing her support on the issue anytime soon?

Thoughts?

Vote here: http://www.pollpub.com/thoughts-on-republicans-joining-noh8.aspx

ReelChicago.com Interviews Ky Dickens about being a 'Fish out of Water'

Producer cashed in her IRA to fund film. Ky Dickens' doc got top spot at Gay/Lebian Fest....Those are the words that headline ReelChicago's article about Director Ky Dickens and the film FISH OUT OF WATER. ReelChicago.com is an online magazine dedicated to news/reviews/articles and resources for film folks of Chicago. Writer, Ed M. Koziarski interviewed Ky and discussed the film, the animation and the illustration, the evolution of the narrator from bird to her, and the soundtrack by Golden-Globe nominee, Kaki King. Read this awesome article in its entirety at: http://www.reelchicago.com/story.cfm?storyID=2571.

Deep Dish Blogger Picked FISH OUT OF WATER!

Check out fellow-e-blogger, Deep Dish with his Groovy Gay picks for Reeling, Chicago's Gay and Lesbian Film Festival - Fish out of Water is high on the list!

http://marcharshbarger.blogspot.com/2009/11/groovy-gay-film-festival-13-fish-out-of.html