As we approach a crucial vote in the Senate on the compromise DADT repeal measure, we’re reminded that Republicans aren’t the only ones potentially standing in the way of its passage. While we should pressure every Senator, regardless of political party, to support the repeal of this harmful law, we should especially target those Senators that claim to be Democrats and yet either remain on the fence or are outright opposed to repeal.
GetEQUAL, an organization that is to be commended for unashamedly fighting on the front lines for the gay community on everything from DADT to ENDA, is doing just that. According to its Facebook page, GetEQUAL activists paid a surprise visit to the office of Senator Jim Webb, the only Democrat on the Senate Armed Services Committee that voted against the DADT repeal language in May. They were joined by H.E.R.O. (an Arizona-based grassroots organization) and the Sanctuary Project (an pro-DADT repeal ministry). Also joining the direct action were several servicemembers (discharged gays and lesbians as well as straight advocates) – wearing their combat boots – who wanted to send a strong message to Webb that DADT is wrong and that his support is needed to overcome the inevitable filibuster. They sent a very powerful message by removing their combat boots and leaving them behind as a reminder of the thousands of gay and lesbian servicemembers who have been affected by this shameful policy.
The message sent by the combat boots was especially powerful as Jim Webb wore his own son’s combat boots during his 2006 campaign.
From the GetEQUAL press release:
"Senator Webb wore combat boots on the campaign trail every day in 2006 for, as the Senator said, ALL servicemembers serving their country. We are here today to remind Senator Webb that all servicemembers includes the thousands of gay and lesbian servicemembers sacrificing their safety and security by serving honorably in our country’s armed forces," said Robin McGehee, co-founder and director of GetEQUAL. "We honor Senator Webb’s direct action in 2006, to show his deep committment and passion for his son and others defending our country. We have organized this action in solidarity with that vision, because we want the Senator to truly honor the service of gay and lesbian servicemembers by fully supporting the passage of the Defenese Authorization Act next week, which contains language to further the repeal of ‘don’t ask, don’t tell’.
"As a Semper Fi, former Marine, I’m here today to tell Senator Webb that these combat boots I’ve worn in service to our country look just like his sons and everyone else’s combat boots serving in the United States Armed Forces," said Cpl. Evelyn Thomas, a veteran of the United States Marine Corps. "In the line of duty, there are not differences because we are all Americans and we are all putting our lives on the line in service to our country. Senator Webb, your service to this country is appreciated and honored. Next week, you have an opportunity to show me and my brothers and sisters that our service is equally appreciated and honored by you."
"Jim Webb is Senator Jim Webb because of the gay and lesbian support he received during his 2006 campaign," said Jimmy Gruender, co-chair of H.E.R.O. "Because of our community’s work to put him into office and the calls and stories we here every day about how this law has affected gay and lesbian servicmembers, many from Senator Webb’s own home state of Virginia, prompted us to do this action today. Senator Webb, the LGBT community stood by you when you needed us. Now, we expect you to stand by us when we need you!"
Whether or not Webb will be swayed by these servicemembers’ act of solidarity with the many gays and lesbians suffering as a result of Don’t Ask Don’t Tell...well, we’ll just have to wait and see. In the meantime, starting today and leading up to Tuesday’s tentative cloture vote, we really need to step up the pressure on not only Jim Webb, but also the rest of the fence-sitting Democrats and Republicans. The above activism by the servicemembers opposing DADT is admirable, but a phone call is great, too. Below is the list (provided by SLDN – I added the D.C. office numbers) of the key Senators that remain uncommitted on breaking the filibuster on DADT repeal:
Susan Collins (R-ME)
(202) 224-2523
Olympia Snowe (R-ME)
(202) 224-5344
Mark Pryor (D-AR)
(202) 224-2353
Richard Lugar (R-IN)
(202) 224-4814
Judd Gregg (R-NH)
(202) 224-3324
Jim Webb (D-VA)
(202) 224-4024
George Voinovich (R-OH)
(202) 224-3353