Senate rejects DADT, Murkowski votes NO, stand-alone bill likely *Update: Maddow on DADT*

The senate held an unexpected cloture vote today on the Don't Ask Don't Tell repeal and the defense budget, and the vote fell mostly along party lines, with 57 yes votes and 40 no votes. Although a majority voted in favor, they needed 60 votes to stop McCain's filibuster.

Alaska's senators were split - Sen. Begich voted yes as promised, but Sen. Murkowski voted no despite yesterday's statement that she supports the repeal of DADT. (The official Senate vote is HERE.)

After the vote, Senators Leiberman and Collins announced that they will introduce a separate DADT bill before the lame duck session ends, and Senator Reid agreed to bring it forward. Speaker Pelosi confirmed that the House has the votes to pass a stand-alone DADT repeal if the Senate acts before the recess.

Call Sen. Murkowski and tell her (politely) what you think of her No vote on DADT today, and encourage her to vote Yes on the stand-alone DADT repeal: (202) 224-3121 or (202) 224-666.

Rumors abound on other options for DADT, including attaching it to the 'tax cut for billionaires' bill to ensure GOP support.

LGBT bills usually wait until the 'news dump' days right before a holiday, but anything could happen in this partisan Congress. Stay tuned for updates.

President Obama's statement on today's defense budget/DADT vote:

I am extremely disappointed that yet another filibuster has prevented the Senate from moving forward with the National Defense Authorization Act. Despite having the bipartisan support of a clear majority of Senators, a minority of Senators are standing in the way of the funding upon which our troops, veterans and military families depend. This annual bill has been enacted each of the past 48 years, and our armed forces deserve nothing less this year.

A minority of Senators were willing to block this important legislation largely because they oppose the repeal of 'Don't Ask, Don't Tell.' As Commander in Chief, I have pledged to repeal this discriminatory law, a step supported by the Secretary of Defense and the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, and informed by a comprehensive study that shows overwhelming majorities of our armed forces are prepared to serve with Americans who are openly gay or lesbian. A great majority of the American people agree. This law weakens our national security, diminishes our military readiness, and violates fundamental American principles of fairness, integrity and equality.

I want to thank Majority Leader Reid, Armed Services Committee Chairman Levin, and Senators Lieberman and Collins for all the work they have done on this bill. While today's vote was disappointing, it must not be the end of our efforts. I urge the Senate to revisit these important issues during the lame duck session.

More reactions:

OutServe

Today's vote is heartbreaking and demoralizing to all members of OutServe - and the tens of thousands of gay, lesbian, and bisexual service members who must continue to serve in silence and live a lie. No words can describe how it felt to watch our U.S. senators uphold discrimination and perpetuate the deceit and compromised integrity that consistently result under "Don't Ask, Don't Tell." We had more faith in our elected officials to heed the advice of military leadership and vote against prejudice. Instead, a minority of senators have successfully blockaded the entire defense spending bill on the basis of prejudice and politics.

Servicemembers United

This was a major failure on the part of the Senate to simply do its job and pass an annual defense authorization bill. Politics prevailed over responsibility today, and now more than one million American servicemembers, including tens of thousands of gay and lesbian troops, are worse off as a result. Since the votes are there in isolation, the Senate should still consider a stand-alone bill to repeal the 'Don't Ask, Don't Tell' law before adjourning for the winter holidays.

SLDN

We support Sen. Lieberman's plan to move a standalone bill. We also believe another viable option is the Continuing Resolution (CR) coming over from the U.S. House of Representatives. The Senate and the President must remain in session and in Washington to find another path for repeal to get done in the lame-duck. We implore all who support repeal to join us outside the Senate tomorrow at noon.

Update: Rachel Maddow covers the DADT vote and the next possible option for repeal - the new standalone bill S 4022.

Visit msnbc.com for breaking news, world news, and news about the economy

Sen. Murkowski: "It is time to repeal the Don't Ask, Don't Tell law." CALL HER TODAY

Big news on DADT: The cloture vote on the defense budget with the repeal of Don't Ask, Don't Tell is likely to happen TONIGHT, and Sen. Lisa Murkowski released a statement today saying she will support the repeal if the amendment process is open.

But opponents are swamping Senate offices with protest calls. Please call Senator Murkowski again today and encourage her to follow through on her statement of support and vote to repeal this discriminatory law!

Senator Lisa Murkowski: (202) 224-6665 or (202) 224-3121.

Murkowski Statement on DADT

"After reviewing the DOD report and the testimony before the Senate Armed Services Committee by Defense Secretary Gates and Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Admiral Mullen, I have concluded that it is time to repeal the 'Don't Ask, Don't Tell' law. We expect all who serve to serve with integrity, but under current law gay and lesbian service members may speak about their sexual orientation only at the risk of being discharged from performing the duties they have trained hard to carry out. America is the loser when it denies those who are willing to make the great sacrifices demanded of our men and women in uniform the opportunity do so on grounds of sexual orientation. I agree with Defense Secretary Gates' view that the military can successfully implement a repeal of the 'Don't Ask, Don't Tell' law provided that proper preparations are implemented.

"I fully understand that the repeal of this law comes with some reservations and hesitancy among the military's Service Chiefs. During their testimony last week before the Senate Arms Services Committee, each of the Chiefs expressed concerns over the timing of the repeal and a desire to ensure that the military was afforded ample time to implement service-wide training and policy reviews before a repeal went into effect. I understand their concerns about the implementation of a repeal while the country is engaged in two wars, but through their leadership and devotion to ensuring that our military remains the world's premier fighting force, I believe this policy can be successfully repealed with minimal risk to unit effectiveness. I trust that the Service Chiefs will develop and execute a plan to implement the DOD report recommendations as well as ensure that post repeal policies and regulations are addressed in such a way that the standards of military readiness and effectiveness, unit cohesion, and recruiting and retention are not negatively impacted.

"However, my support for moving the Defense Authorization bill forward, which includes a repeal of the Don't Ask, Don't Tell policy, will depend on whether the majority allows for an open and fair amendment process. This is a weighty, policy-laden bill that normally takes several weeks to debate and amend. If the majority attempts to push it through allowing little or no debate or votes on amendments, I will be inclined to oppose those efforts."

Ninth Circuit hears first Prop 8 appeal

A 3-judge panel from the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals held a Prop 8 hearing on Monday, focusing on who has the right to appeal and how the case may be ruled. Here is a quick video report on the hearing:

Good written reviews of the appeals court hearing are posted at LGBT POV and Prop 8 Trial Tracker. The 2 1/2 hour telecast is available on C-SPAN (HERE). If you want to skip the issue of standing and start with the larger issues of Prop 8, watch part 2 HERE.

The panel's decision is expected in a few months, and will most likely be appealed to the full court.

Sara's News Roundup 12/5/10

Recent LGBT news selected by Sara Boesser in Juneau, Alaska.

1) Pentagon study: Gays could serve with no harm

Washington, Associated Press, November 30, 2010

2) Maddow Tops "Media Heroes" Poll

Advocate, November 29, 2010

3) LPGA votes to allow transgender golfers to compete, changing "female at birth" rule after lawsuit

New York, New York Daily News, December 2, 2010

4) 5 most famous lesbian scenes

Los Angeles, MSNBC, December 1, 2010

5) Kenya Prime Minister: Arrest All Gays

Kenya, Africa, Advocate, November 29, 2010

6) DADT Commentary Suggests Corrective Rape for Lesbians

Tennessee, Advocate, November 29, 2010

7) Editorial: Pope on Condoms ~ Half Right Church, Still Wrong Pew

National Black Justice Coalition, November 2010

8) Breaking down bisexual stereotypes

Delaware, The Transcript, November 18, 2010

9) Hillary Fires Back at Sexist Question

Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan, Advocate, December 3, 2010

10) Birds becoming gay because of mercury

Florida and Sri Lanka, Telegraph, December 1, 2010

11) Thousands join gay pride event in Delhi

Delhi, India, BBC, November 28, 2010

12) Megan Quinn: Transgender minister to talk identity, acceptance

Boulder, Colorado, Daily Camera, October 9, 2010

13) A third of lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender youth suffer mental disorders

Washington, New Kerala, December 2, 2010

14) 'I'm not taking anything away from anyone' - transgender bride

Malta, U.K., Malta Today, December 1, 2010

15) The pro-love, anti-prejudice generation

U.S., National Catholic Reporter, December 2, 2010

16) Kenya PM Takes Back Gay Threats

Kenya, Africa, Advocate, December 2, 2010

17) Gay Marriage on Appeal: A Look at the Judges

California, Time, December 2, 2010

Equality Works "Friendraiser" on Dec 11

Join Equality Works for an evening of fun, libations, and a little raising of funds! Heather and John Aronno are hosting a "friendraiser" from 7 pm to 9 pm on Saturday, December 11th at 7020 Potomac Drive. Food and drinks will be provided, but feel free to bring something if you like. Any funds raised will go directly toward Equality Works' efforts to ensure the fair treatment of all Anchorage residents. So join us on Saturday, December 11th for a good time and a good cause.

Gay & Trans films in the Anchorage International Film Festival

December 8 is Gay-La Night in the 2010 Anchorage International Film Festival, with two shorts and a feature at Bear Tooth, and an after party at Mad Myrna's.

This year's Gay-La program includes three films about gay men: Now and Forever, a supershort about an artist, a painting and two hearts that become one; a short narrative called Bedfellows, a modern-day spin on a fairy tale genre with two gay characters in the classic boy-meets-girl story set in New York City; and an award-winning one hour documentary Holding Hands, about Craig and Shane, a couple in Australia, who face a difficult journey to recovery after suffering a hate crime. Join AIFF for the screening and then head to Myrna's for drinks and food.

Holding Hands won two awards at the Spokane GLBT Film Festival last month, including the audience choice award. More about Holding Hands, and the trailer:

"Craig and Shane were holding hands when they fell victim to a brutal hate crime off Sydney's Oxford Street in 2007. The image of Craig's shattered face on the cover of the local newspaper called Sydney's queer community to action, and the couple were nominated leaders of the 2008 Sydney Mardi Gras Parade. The hardest year of this young couple's lives is documented through endless surgeries, physical and psychological recovery and their struggle to plan for their future. But at its heart, Holding Hands reveals that even in the worst circumstances, we can all create positive change."

Also screening in AIFF 2010 is Ticked-Off Trannies With Knives [link includes trailer] on Dec. 4 at Bear Tooth and on Dec. 10 at Out North. (Viewers must be 18 and older.)

"A group of transgender women are violently beaten and left for dead. After regaining their consciousness the violated vixens turn deadly divas and with their new-found confidence and courage, slice their way to vengeance. A homage to the exploitation/revenge films of the 70's and 80's, this film sets out to create a new and unique genre called -- transploitation. Loaded with titillating dialog, bodacious bods and extreme violence, this revenge-fantasy proves that it takes more than balls to get even."

The 2010 film festival runs December 3-16 at the Bear Tooth, Out North, Organic Oasis, Anchorage Museum, Wilda Marston Theatre and the Alaska Dispatch Hangar.

"North America's northernmost independent film festival celebrates its 10th event by getting movie-goers out from the cold and into the illuminating glow of hot films from around the globe."

Gay-La Night:

Wednesday, December 8

Screening at Bear Tooth at 8:15 pm

After Party at Mad Myrna's starts at 10:00 pm

Anchorage Discrimination Survey to be distributed in early 2011

by Shelby Carpenter / Crossposted at Alaska LGBT Community Survey

During the 2009 battle over Anchorage Ordinance 64 — which would have added sexual orientation and gender identity to the Municipality of Anchorage’s equal rights code — one thing we heard from the opposition again and again was that there was no “proof” that discrimination was a problem that needed to be addressed. So this fall, a group of concerned community members and organizations came together to brainstorm how to compile this kind of information about the LGBT community in Alaska—both so that we can provide policymakers with accurate information, and so that we ourselves more fully understand the needs of our community. Thus, the Alaska LGBT Community Survey Task Force was born.

The Task Force will complete two important surveys over the coming years. Our broader, more long-term project is the Alaska LGBT Community Statewide Survey, which will provide an extensive profile of the LGBT community all across the state. Over the next six months, however, our focus is the Anchorage Discrimination Survey, which will focus exclusively on experiences of bias and discrimination by LGBT people in Anchorage. Please look for the survey in early 2011! We need as many respondents as possible, and all answers will be completely confidential. You can find more information about the survey at alaskacommunity.org.

I will be serving as Project Manager for the survey, so please also feel free to reach out to me by phone at (907) 263-2006 or by email at scarpenter@akclu.org about any questions you may have.

Shelby Carpenter is the LGBT Public Policy Director for the American Civil Liberties Union of Alaska, and is Project Manager of the Alaska LGBT Community Survey Task Force.