Posted on 04/19/2007 7:22:59 AM PDT by 2dogjoe
Marine speaks up for freedom from discrimination
Guillermo Contreras Express-News
This first American serviceman wounded in the war in Iraq told a crowd of a few dozen people in San Antonio on Wednesday that he believes the military's "don't ask, don't tell" policy will be repealed following next year's presidential election. In his first public address in San Antonio since he disclosed his homosexuality in late February in Washington, retired Marine Sgt. Eric Alva also called on the crowd at Our Lady of the Lake University to support legislation aimed at protecting basic human rights, such as a hate-crimes bill, and the recognition of marriage of gay couples.
"When I went out to war and was finishing 13 years in the United States Marine Corps defending this country, it was for the rights and freedoms of everybody in this country," said Alva, who lives in San Antonio and attends the university. "Not just politicians, not just a certain person of color or a person of a certain culture. It was for everybody."
Alva lost his leg March 21, 2003 — the first day of Operation Iraqi Freedom — after stepping on a landmine.
In the Democratic-controlled Congress there has been a new push to repeal the "don't ask, don't tell" policy that has been the basis for thousands of "homosexual separations" — what the military calls the discharges. Rep. Martin Meehan, D-Mass., introduced legislation to repeal the policy in February.
"I think it's a given. I'm going to just say this," said Alva, who has become the national spokesman for the Human Rights Campaign, a civil rights group: "There will be a Democratic president. (The bill) will pass, and (the policy) will be repealed."
Alva shared the stage with other speakers who gave examples of discrimination and intolerance they've endured because of their sexual orientation during national Day of Silence.
The event began at the University of Virginia in 1996, and participants generally remain silent most of the day to highlight the silence many gays, bisexuals and lesbians face because of discrimination.
The local stage was unconventional. It was the first time the Catholic university on the West Side participated in a Day of Silence. Some of the speakers criticized the Catholic Church for not accepting them completely because it doesn't condone homosexual activity.
The events at OLLU were organized by students in one of Cynthia Medina's social work classes and saw 250 students and about 50 members of the staff and faculty participating in the day's events.
"We really want to create safer schools for all students," said student Naomi Brown, one of the organizers. "That's really what this is about."
The religious order that sponsors the university said in a news release that the Catholic Church condemns the mistreatment of homosexuals and calls for the respect and dignity of everyone.
"Following our Catholic beliefs, OLLU seeks to create a welcoming environment for all students," Sister Jane Ann Slater, superior general of the Congregation of Divine Providence, said in the release. "The teachings of the church make it clear that the fundamental human rights of homosexual persons must be defended and that all of us must strive to eliminate any forms of injustice, oppression or violence against them."
Semper Fruit Mac.
(turd burgler alert)
Hey,not *every* Marine is worthy of respect....Oswald,Murtha,this clown....
when interviewed his gay companions said they were stumped?
Then they’ll demand a Homosexual Draft Exemption.
Oh, and my husband has said very clearly that he doesn’t care if he has 19 years, 11 months and 29 days towards his retirement, the day they allow Marines to be openly homosexual is the day he will leave the Corps.
I don’t agree with what he’s doing now, but he has certainly earned his right to do whatever he wants.
JMO, flame away
Semper Fi,
NYleatherneck
A “this isn’t the old Corps anymore” ping
I get the fact that you don't like gay people. Whatever.
But making fun of a wound he suffered on the battlefield? In a war he voluntarily fought in service to his country?
You know, it is possible to disagree with someone's politics without mocking their sacrifice to your country.
But they won’t get it, and that will be the end to Don’t ask, Don’t Tell, becasue everyone will be telling.
Sorry Pal, there is no God given or otherwise right to engage in anal sex.
lighten up.
No it’s not... But at least he kept the mouse in the house while he was serving.
Can’t ask for much more these days.
This won’t fly with the Marines. Many career Marines will walk away rather than work with gays.
Frankly, this one has me twisting.
He’s a marine who served his country and lost a leg in the process. He’s given more than I (or most here I’d wager) have to serve our country.
On the other hand, he’s pushing for a Democra# President and pushing an agenda that many servicemembers I know believe would do severe damage to the Corps and the other armed services.
The latter outweighs the former, but I’m not going to castigate him for it. Just disagree.
My apologies. Please continue.
Pretty much said the same thing before I saw your post. Could have saved some time and bandwidth by just saying “What NYleatherneck said.”
There was a queer exemption in the old draft.
No it hasn't changed, and Catholic teachings doesn't say anything like that. It's obviously a 're-interpretation' of how fudge packers would like it to say.
Catholic/Christian teachings simply say that fundamental human rights are a gift from God and belong to everyone regardless of there station, race or color.
You will not find any teachings that will contradict the commandments of the Lord, and overrule what the bible considers sin. Sinners should be encouraged to repent their sin and change their ways, yes, and just as the Lord forgives sin upon repentance, so should the church. What this fairy tale wishfull thinking fiction is doing is trying to twist that the Church believes everyone, sinners included, should be have the same fundamental human rights as everyone else.
No it hasn't changed, and Catholic teachings doesn't say anything like that. It's obviously a 're-interpretation' of how fudge packers would like it to say.
Catholic/Christian teachings simply say that fundamental human rights are a gift from God and belong to everyone regardless of there station, race or color.
You will not find any teachings that will contradict the commandments of the Lord, and overrule what the bible considers sin. Sinners should be encouraged to repent their sin and change their ways, yes, and just as the Lord forgives sin upon repentance, so should the church. What this fairy tale wishfull thinking fiction is doing is trying to twist that the Church believes everyone, sinners included, should be have the same fundamental human rights as everyone else, absolves homosexual perverson from being a sin altogether.
it's a joke, lighten up
I take it you like homosexual behavior. whatever.
I don’t know why it would be repealed in the event of a draft. General prohibitions against sodomy weres in effect during previous wars; if the behavior manifests itself they’re discharged.
So what makes him the disgrace? His 13 years service? The fact he lost a leg in Iraq? Or his nerve at expressing an opinion you disagree with?
He’s that close? My best regards to him. I’ve had sentiments that were similar; I’ve told my soldiers that I wanted to be retired before the rainbow flag was hoisted over Fort Bragg.
Honestly? I don't give it much thought at all.
Can't imagine why I'd even want to obsess on such a subject, myself. To each his own.
But under Don’t Ask Don’t Tell, behavior is not what is needed. Just telling is.
When people say that they are obligate homosexuals and cannot become heterosexual, I believe them. This is the basis for the attitude of acceptance that prevails in contemporary culture. I am accepting of homosexual people. My wife and I have friends and relatives who are homosexual.
However, to me legalizing homosexual marriage is out of the question, though contractual arrangements to achieve the legal benefits or marriage, such as wills, financial benefits, etc. are perfectly acceptable. The designation of certain crimes as "hate crimes" is ridiculous; what are the other crimes--"love crimes"? And the military Chiefs of Staff should decided the criteria for service based on what best protects the American people and the U.S.A.--nothing else; if they decide that allowing homosexuals to serve, that should be final, if not, also final.
Personally, I think President Reagan's "We Ask, Don't Join" policy worked just fine.
Oh no. He has 6 more years. He has just said he didn’t care if he were that close, he wouldn’t stay in if they were allowed to flaunt their homosexuality.
I do want to make a quick observation. I do feel for this man in a way. He has clearly done his duty, and he has paid a high price. But he is a Sgt. and it says he served 13 years. Thirteen years is the cut off to pick up SSgt. for the up or out policy. I’m curious as to why he hadn’t picked up SSgt. If he waited until he was out of the Corps to be open, and he clearly did his part for the Corps in battle, then why no promotion? Just wondering is all.
Especially now that much of the stigma attached to being gay is gone.
Agreed!
Gotta ping this out later.
Interesting. I suppose you could have them sign an affadavit to that effect. I’ve often wondered with the internet how much easier it should be to track and point out draft dodgers, evaders, etc.
You get no flame from me. You are absolutely correct. That Marine demonstrated courage and fidelity to his Nation. For that, we honor him.
I do not believe the military is an appropriate setting to push homosexuality, or to permit homosexuals to join, just as I do not wish to see women in combat assignments. But that in no way lessens what this brave man did for his Country.
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