Sirius XM: Michelangelo Signorile on DADT repeal and the lesson to learn

A caller from Oklahoma called in to say that, in the end, it was better that DADT was repealed in Congress, thus calls by activists for Obama not to appeal Judge Phillips ruling on DADT were wrong. I took the opportunity to talk about why, though this is a victory for the President, it only happened because of those activists putting the pressure on. And this is a lesson for the LGBT movement and for all progressives.

Category:

News & Politics

Tags:

• medium

[cxa2500]

Now that the repeal is a fait accompli, it is time to fulfill the course of justice. I have waited for this for 48 years and I will speak for all of those who came before me and since my undesirable discharge in 1962 for being queer, that we deserve our veteran's benefits that we were forced to forfeit.

[MacBrian]

AMEN, Michelangelo! -- activism is what got things done, and President Obama told us that very thing several times last year -- that activism is required and he encouraged us to do it. For example, see 19:32 at the 13th annual Human Rights Campaign National Dinner speech.

Oh, and Michelangelo -- your show is the sole reason I bought *lifetime* satellite radio for my Kia Soul! :) Thanks for your involvement and keep up the good work!

[hotsingle1983]

There is still along ways to go! What about those of us discharged under DADT that are still young enough to serve and want to go back in as active duty?! What about the benefits for our partners when LGBT goes back into the military? What about are R.E. code that still needs to be changed? There are many things that still need to be changed!

[rg0057]

Thanks for being one of the few to speak honestly about this. This potential victory belongs to LGBs who fought for it. (I say potential, because the certification and 60-day waiting period are in there for a reason -- to permit a Republican Congress to stop it or delay it further).

I still prefer a court victory, because those can have greater staying power. Should Republicans win in 2012, they can easily reinstate DADT. Finding a law unconstitutional requires more effort for them to undo.

[cxa2500]

Now that the repeal is a fait accompli, it is time to fulfill the course of justice. I have waited for this for 48 years and I will speak for all of those who came before me and since my undesirable discharge in 1962 for being queer, that we deserve our veteran's benefits that we were forced to forfeit.