Defending the Truth

Both of these recently landed in my email. Thought I would share.

It's been a year of great progress on the GLBT rights front, a lot to be thankful for.

Happy Thanksgiving, all. -F

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This Thanksgiving, I feel more than thankful. I feel a deep sense of awe at all that we've accomplished in the last year – and a profound respect for your commitment to our long, often difficult fight for equality.

Who would have predicted that in the course of one year, the Matthew Shepard Act would pass both houses of Congress, and that the Employment Non-Discrimination Act would pass the House for the first time ever?

You – and more than 700,000 members and supporters of Human Rights Campaign alongside you – made these major triumphs possible.

But you've done more than help us win. You've also sent countless letters of encouragement. You've supported our struggle when it mattered most. You've given us the strength we need to win the next battle, and the one after that.

"Thank you" doesn't begin to express what all of us at HRC feel today. But it's a start. Here's to a healthy, joyous year for you, your family, and your friends.

Sincerely,

Joe Solomnese
President
Human Rights Campaign

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As our nation takes time to give thanks for our friends, family and loved ones, I also want to thank each of you for your extraordinary support of Servicemembers Legal Defense Network. As a former service member, I understand just how critical SLDN’s work is. Your generosity and partnership with SLDN ensured that, when I needed them, the SLDN team was there.

This Thanksgiving, more than 65,000 lesbian and gay Americans are reporting for duty in our armed forces. I join SLDN, and each of you, in expressing tremendous gratitude for their service and dedication. And we all owe a debt of thanks to the millions of LGBT veterans who have given so much to our country and our armed forces. Because of their service and sacrifice, we are all safer and more secure.

Your kindness ensures that SLDN is always there –answering calls for help from service members, like me, who depend on them. I know, first-hand, what a significant difference that kindness makes.

President John F. Kennedy once reminded us that, “As we express our gratitude, we must never forget that the highest appreciation is not to utter words, but to live by them.” Each of you, through your steadfast support of the freedom to serve, have lived up to that call. We cannot thank you enough.

From the SLDN family to yours . . . Happy Thanksgiving.

Sincerely,

Former Navy Petty Officer 2nd Class Jason Knight
SLDN Communications Associate

You think thats bad, you should see how we handle imigration

Great emails, forester - thanks for posting.

Can you imagine - 65,000 people who have to live their lives secreted and afraid to confide to a friend or fellow soldier? Such a shame.

Immigration is handled quite well in this country.
Illegal aliens are an entirely different matter.
And both have nothing to do with serving in the military, as there is no law against gay people serving in the armed services. Though, admittedly, we're one of the few countries in the civilized western world that don't accept openly gay troops. Amazing that the citizens of so many other countries can control their homophobia so much better than Americans are able.

Yeah, all those gay soldiers sneaking across the border.

It's a real disgrace.

Maybe you should spend some time in a place like Iran. Maybe then you'll see just how free you are.

wise ass

maybe you should spend some time in a mental institution. Maybe then you'll see how well you fit in.

I wonder if CF will criticise him for being a troll?