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MILITARY Select military bases see spike in 'Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell’ dismissals Increasing number of women discharged by Steve Rawls Several US. military installations saw a significant increase in the number of troops dismissed under the “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell” ban on openly gay service members in 2005, according to new data obtained by Servicemembers Legal Defense Network (SLDN). Overall, 2005 dismissals increased from 668 in 2004 to 742 last year. The sharpest increase in “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell” dismissals occurred at Fort Campbell, Ky., where Pvt. 1st Class Barry Winchell was murdered in 1999 by fellow soldiers who believed Winchell was gay. In 2004, the base discharged 19 soldiers under the ban; that number climbed to 49 in 2005. Fort Sill, Okla., also saw a significant increase, from 8 dis- Discharges under ‘Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell’ are on an upswing, with increasing numbers of women being dismissed. missals in 2004 to 27 last year. Fort Leonard Wood, Mo., a large training facility for the Army, saw an increase as well, from 40 in 2004 to 60 in 2005. Parris Island, S.C., a Marine Corps base, discharged 22 service members in 2005, up from just 12 the prior year. “When the Pentagon fires skilled service members for being gay, like former Arabic lin guist Bleu Copas, it is being utterly irresponsi ble,” said C. Dixon Osburn, executive director of SLDN. “No American cares if the person who thwarts a plot to blow up an airplane is gay. We care that our nation is secure. Congress should pass the Military Readiness Enhancement Act and repeal the archaic and counterproductive ‘Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell’ law immediately!’ Neither the Pentagon nor officials at the bases mentioned have provided an explana tion of the increase in dismissals. Overall, gay discharges have decreased nearly 40 percent since the terrorist attacks of Sept. 11,2001. The FY2005 dismissals represent the first annual increase since the beginning of the war on terror. “Those who serve our country deserve respect and honor, not pink slips and dis missals,” said Osburn. Women continue to be disproportionately impacted Women continue to be discharged at twice the rate of their presence in the armed forces under “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell.” While women account for approxi mately 15 percent of the armed forces, they totaled 30 percent of those dis missed under the gay ban in FY2005. In all, 219 women out of a total of 726 service members were discharged under “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell.” The Army reported discharging 146 women in 2005; the Navy, 31; the Air Force, 28; and the Marine Corps, 14. “Women have a long and rich his tory of service to our country^’ said SLDN Executive Director C. Dbcon Osburn. “Our nation is safer and more secure because of the contributions made by all women, including lesbian and bisexual women, in our armed forces. An October 2004 Urban Institute study revealed the long history of service by the les bian community. The study revealed that not only do the rates of service by coupled les bians surpass that of other women, but that they serve longer than other women. Of women ages 18-67 who served in the armed forces, over 80 percent of coupled lesbians reported having served more than two years, compared with 74 percent of other women. I> info: www.sldn.otg Moving? Need Help? Let Smooth tJloves OtvhesM l/our Next Ulove Smooth Moves® Provides: • Stress-free packing • Stress-free unpacking • Moving services • interior design Accessorizing | Organizing Call Smooth Moves^ Today 800.974.6035 Or visit www.stress-free-moving.com for more information. Need More Hours in the day? Chores, Errancis ‘N More Can Help You Get More Out Of Each Day. We will: • Pick up your dry cleaning • Grocery shop • Wait for repair personnel • Plan a dinner party • Create a romantic getaway • And much more We take care of the menial so you have more time for the meaningful!” Call 888.509.5533 or visit us online at www.choreserrandsnmore.com for more information. a 'Chores, Erraads'IV More A Lifestyle Management Company GOOD TASTE Cake Designs • Anniversaries • Cofflfliittfflent Ceremonies • Holy Unions • (Special Occasions uecauit £(7£Tty occasion iltould 1j£ doriE uriiH GOOD TASTE 919.489.5778 • gtcd@aol.com www.goodtastecakedesigns.com GOOD TASTE CAKE DESIGNS, LLC DURHAM, NO Charlottels residential rental specialist featuring... Se habla espanol. Live in Charlotte's Gayborhood. See website for photo. 3043 Uxbridgewoods Court.. $950 2br, 2.5bt 2-Story Condo 1,100 sq, ft. Greatroom with gas log fireplace. Applicances included. Minutes to uptown. Located in Plaza/Midwood area 1107 Jensen Street > 2br,1bt House, 800 sq.ft. Newly remodeled, C/A, gas heat, hardwood floors, screened-in porch. Nice neighborhood. Located in Piaza/Midwood area Choose from over 1000 houses, condos and duplexes starting at $375! KLUnS PROPERTY MANAGEMENT 1433 Emeryw(X)d Drive Charlotte, NC 28210 704.554.8861 Fax: 704.553.2256 SEPTEMBER 23 .2006 • Q-NOTES
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