From The Official Ceremony Site, Anticipating Viewing The Signing Into Law Of The DADT Bill
by: Autumn Sandeen
Wed Dec 22, 2010 at 01:45:01 AM EST
http://www.pamshouseblend.com/diary/18282/from-the-official-ceremonyanticipating-viewing-the-signing-into-law-of-the-dadt-bill The passage of this compromise language legislation that the President will sign Wednesday, December 22nd is an extremely significant moment in lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender (LGBT) community history. It's the first piece of federal legislation that will actually further LGBT community equality, as opposed to federal hate crime legislation which holds the promise of federal response to hate violence.
But, of course, as I've written previously this is also a somewhat meloncholy moment for me. Although repeal of Don't Ask, Don't Tell forwards the LGBT community's interests, it only directly benefits lesbian, gay, and bisexual servicemembers, and future servicemembers, but won't result in transgender people being able to serve openly in the military services. And too, the more pressing issues for transgender community members in the LGBT community include employment and housing protections. Passage of a fully inclusive Employment Non-Discrimination Act (ENDA) would have addressed transgender people's community needs better than repeal of DADT.
