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The article focuses on candidates of the U.S. Democratic Party vying for positions in the U.S. government. It mentions Joe Sestak, a candidate for the U.S. Senate, and his advocacies against discrimination of gay people in the military service. It notes that senatorial candidate Arlen Specter seeks for the promotion of bills for the benefit of same-sex couples. Moreover, it states that gubernatorial candidate Joe Hoeffel seeks to improve the school environment for LGBT students in Pennsylvania.

An interview with former U.S. Air Force personnel Tyler Vaughn is presented. Vaughn says that waiting for the school bus is the worst thing during winter in Buffalo, New York. He adds that his father is a fireman while his mother does administrative work for a defense contractor. He notes that he left the Air Force because of the don't ask, don't tell military policy.

The article reports that New Jersey may also limit funeral protests as lawmakers hope to keep at bay Kansas Minister Reverend Fred Phelps and his followers who have picketed the funerals of U.S. soldiers killed in combat. Phelps and his followers claimed that the deaths of the soldiers are God's vengeance against American homosexuality. Assemblyman Jack Conners, sponsor of one of the two bills that would restrict funeral protests in New Jersey, hopes for a quick approval. According to the National Conference of State legislatures, 31 states have already considered limiting funeral demonstrations.

This article reports on the statement issued by Allyson Robinson, executive director of OutServe/Servicemembers Legal Defense Network, at the Lambda Law Symposium held at the University of Pennsylvania in Philadelphia in February 2013. Robinson mentioned that the organization is dedicated to full equality for actively serving lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) military personnel. Educational and career background on Robinson is included.

The article reports on the decision of U.S. President Barack Obama to sign the Don't Ask, Don't Tell, a bill that repealed the law that prevents openly gay service members. At the signing ceremony, Obama says that the nation welcomes the service of patriot and that all men and women are created equal. Obama acknowledged the supporters on stage with him during the signing and the crowd gave standing ovation to Congressman Patrick Murphy, the lead sponsor of the House version of the repeal bill.

The article reports on the developments in overturning the "Don't Ask, Don't Tell" (DADT) military policy in the U.S. A survey, conducted by Pentagon, shows that 55% of the 400,000 servicemembers have found a little of no effect in repealing the said policy in military services. However, it cites the challenges encountered by advocates in passing the bill to the House of Representatives and the Senate. The efforts of President Barack Obama in terminating such discrimination are also noted.

A letter to the editor and a response about the repeal of "Don't Ask, Don't Tell" policy in the U.S. and the tragic death and the use of transgender Stacey Blahnik's birth name are presented.

The article reports that U.S. military officials have revealed their plans to change the "Don't Ask, Don't Tell" military policy that ban open gays in the military service on the Senate Armed Services Committee hearing on February 2, 2010.

The article reports on the decision of Pennsylvania U.S. Representative Patrick Murphy to assume as sponsor of the bill to change the ban of military on openly gay servicemembers. Murphy took over after Representative Ellen Tauscher left office and be the new Undersecretary of State for Arms Control and International Security Affairs. It states that since Murphy made the lead on the bill, the number of cosponsors has leaped to 186 from 140, with 20 inking within two weeks after he took office.

The article reports on the commitment of U.S. Representative Patrick Murphy as the prime sponsor of the proposed Military Readiness Enhancement Act that ends the ban of openly gay servicemembers. Murphy explained that even if gay men are permitted to the armed services, they still need a more reliable law that protect their sexual orientation. The initiative reflects the growing recognition of the civil rights of the gay community.

The article features former gay Marine Rich Merritt and his book "Code of Conduct." The said book is about gay servicemen who are experiencing difficulties due to the U.S. military policy Don't Ask, Don't Tell. A book reading and discussion will be held by Merritt at Giovanni's Room in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. He revealed that military personnel bring opposite-sex dates to social functions in order to build their public image of being heterosexual.

The article reports on the reintroduction of the Military Readiness Enhancement Act House Rule 1246 that would repeal the Don't Ask, Don't Tell policy concerning U.S. gay service members by Representative Martin Meehan. Servicemembers Legal Defense Network (SLDN) communications director Steve Ralls cited that the effective way to boost support for the bill is through hearings. He mentioned that the supporters of the bill include Senators Edward Kennedy, Barbara Boxer and Hillary Rodham Clinton.

The article reports on the decision of the U.S. armed forces to increase surveillance of nonmilitary Web sites which would make GLBT service members more susceptible to discharge under the Don't Ask, Don't Tell military policy. The Servicemembers Legal Defense Network released a set of Internet guidelines for service members in response to the enhanced surveillance. The only military branch to extend its surveillance to nonmilitary sites is the Army Web Risk Assessment Cell.

Reports on the decision of gays and lesbians who are expelled from the U.S. military to file a lawsuit against the don't ask, don't tell policy of the U.S. Department of Defense in a federal court in Boston, Massachusetts on December 6, 2004. Views of lesbian Lieutenant Junior Grade Jen Kopfstein on the policy; Information on the policy; Background on other lawsuits that challenge the policy.

The article reports that no gays in military services have been discharged and discriminated due to the newly-implemented rules applied on the Don't Ask, Don't Tell policy in the U.S. as of December 2010.

The article focuses on the legislation to lift the military gay ban in the U.S. It highlights the announcement of Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid on the need to vote in the lame duck session on legislation that would allow gays to serve openly in the U.S. military. It comments that the legislation is far from certain to pass due to the opposing of several senators to lift the ban including Republican senator John McCain.

A photograph of several individuals, who handcuffed themselves to the fence of the White House on November 15, 2010 to demand that U.S. President Barack Obama should keep his promise to repeal the "Don't Ask, Don't Tell" (DADT) policy, is presented.

The article offers the author's insights on the military survey regarding the inclusion of gay people in the U.S. military and on the views of Robert Maginnis on the survey. The author says that survey indicates that most of the soldiers and their families are open for gay people in the military. She says Maginnis complains that the survey did not consider asking the respondent whether they are one of the gay community. Questions made by the author for the better survey are also presented.

The author reflects on the ban of the U.S. military regarding the acceptance of gay and lesbian servicemembers.

Several letters to the editor are presented in response to articles in previous issues including "Beck's Honor" in the September 17-23 issue, "Should Obama have mentioned the contributions of gay servicemembers in his Iraq speech?" and "Political Group looks to suborbs" in the September 10-16 issue.

The article offers news briefs on the LGBT discriminations in the U.S. which have been reported by the Advocate.com, the San Francisco Chronicle, and News Tribune in Philadelphia including the discharge of 39 percent of racial minorities and women due to "Don't Ask, Don't Tell" defense policy, the dismiss of the lawsuit Jonathan Lopez against the speech instructor, and political and social views of Hans Zeiger regarding Girls Scoutts organization in the U.S.

In this article the author reflects on the promise of U.S. President Barack Obama to end "Don't Ask, Don't Tell (DADT)" which bans openly gay and lesbian servicemembers in the Armed Forces.

The article reports on the opposition of Robert Gates, secretary of the U.S. Department of Defense, and President Barack Obama to the cancellation of "Don't Ask, Don't Tell," which bans openly gay and lesbian servicemembers in the Armed Forces, until the completion of the assessment of the law in December 2010.

The article offers the author's insights on the perception of Marine Commandant General James Conway on allowing gays to enter the U.S. military service.

The article reports on the delay of the complete repeal of gay ban in the military service in the U.S. It indicates that the reversal of the military's policy on gays will result in the biggest upheaval to military policies. According to Defense Secretary Robert Gates, a survey of servicemembers and their families regarding any policy changes will be conducted by the military.

The article reports the initiative by U.S. Representative Joe Sestak on gay servicemen of the U.S. Navy who are abused by co-officer. Sestak has written to Secretary Raymond Mabus of the U.S. Navy to ask information on the assault and battery to former Petty Officer Joseph Rocha by Chief Petty Officer Michael Toussaint. He also meets with Admiral Gary Roughhead, chief of naval operations regarding the case. Moreover, Roughhead states that Toussaint will face disciplinary actions.

The article reports on the legislation to repeal the military's ban on openly gay servicemembers in the U.S. It states that Representative Patrick Murphy is expecting the House to hold a subcommittee hearing on the Military Readiness Enhancement Act in the coming months. According to Murphy, he has gotten support from all but one the nine Democrats on the Military Personnel Subcommittee of the Armed Services.

The article offers news brief on gay issues in the U.S. Navy officials formally charged with murder, arson, and other 16 offenses the gay Navy Petty Officer Jonathan Campus as suspect in the murder of gay seaman August Provost. Jared Polis has become the first openly gay non-incumbent elected to Congress in supervisory board in the U.S. Air Force Academy. Gay protesters were challenged aggressively by supporters of Alaska Governor Sarah Palin, an adversary of marriage equality.

The article focuses on the Don't Ask, Don't Tell military policy in the U.S. and its associated impact on the LGBT community as well as to the U.S. military itself. It discusses the documentary film "Ask Not," which pre-dates the failure of U.S. President Barack Obama to address the military policy. It relates that the documentary explains how former U.S. President Bill Clinton was manipulated by the Pentagon and the U.S. Congress into signing the bill regarding the military policy.

In this article the author offers his comments on the need for the country to allow gay men to serve the military. The author mentions that his decision not to pursue the military saved him from the fate of so many other gay Americans. He states that whatever arguments military leaders have, the "Don't Ask, Don't Tell" policy needs to end. He believes that coming out for one's self and country should no longer be mutually exclusive.

In this article, the author reflects on Don't Ask Don't Tell (DADT) policy, a legislation that bans gays and lesbians in serving the military, in the U.S. The author suggests that the government should allow them to openly serve the country because it is a breach of their civil rights and sexuality does not gauge how well a person serves the country. He commended the effort undertaken by the government of Bermuda because the Bermuda Regiment members are not allowed to harass gay soldiers.

The article offers news briefs related to LGBT community in the U.S. Legally married gay military servicemembers can be subjected for discharge from the Iowa National Guard under the law "Don't Ask, Don't Tell." A court ruling on private schools in San Francisco, California has been issued by the California Supreme Court which allows lesbian students to be expelled. A school ruling for gay students has been issued in Franklin County High School, banning them to enter bathroom during class hours.

The article reports that Leon R. Ingleright 4th will participate on "Out of Annapolis," a documentary on LGBT alumni from U.S. Naval Academy by Steve Clark Hall. Inglebert was discharged from the U.S. Marine Corps two months before graduation when his commanders had discovered his electronic mail (e-mail) for his male lover. Joseph W. Soto, a Naval Academy graduate and co-producer of the film, asserts that the film does not primarily focus on ending the military's ban on gay servicemen.

The article presents views on the issue whether the U.S. President Barack Obama will be able to end the ban on openly gay servicemembers. Paul Bianchi suggests Obama to establish a proven track record on the policies he already implemented before branching out to gay men and the military. Andrew Carroll agrees that Obama's popularity will help sway people to his point of view. Brianna Jones believes that Obama is a uniter and not a divider.

The article focuses on the introduction of the Military Readiness Enhancement Act by U.S. Representative Ellen Tauscher. The bill aims to repeal the military's 15-year ban against gay servicemembers. It will strike from the clause prescribing that anyone who demonstrates a propensity of intent to engage in homosexual acts is ineligible for military service. President Barack Obama notes that the support of top military officials should be attained before the law will be overturned.

The article offers information on the hearing of testimonies for the annulment of "Don't Ask, Don't Tell", ban on openly gay servicemembers in the U.S. Congresswoman Susan Davis asserted at the start of the proceeding that she was in favor of repealing the ban. However, the Center for Military Readiness' Elaine Donnelly has stated that repealing the ban would lead to the loss of an even higher number of servicemembers who would not be willing to serve alongside gays and lesbians.

The article discusses a study released by the Michael D. Palm Center that suggests that the U.S. Congress should repeal the "Don't Ask, Don't Tell" law because the presence of gays in the military is unlikely to weaken the ability to fight and win. The research was conducted by four retired military officers. To support its argument, the study points to the British and Israeli militaries, where it says gay people serve openly without hurting the combat operations' effectiveness.

The article reports that the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals has reinstated the lawsuit filed by former U.S. Air Force Major Marjorie Witt who was dismissed for being a lesbian. The court ruled that the military must provide that Witt's sexual orientation posed a real detriment to troop readiness, morale of other important governmental interest. A lower court previously rejected Witt's lawsuit.

A photograph of U.S. flags, which represent every service member dismissed under the Don't Ask, Don't Tell military policy, seen on the National Mall in Washington D.C. on November 30, 2007 is presented.

The article discusses the ruling of the Second U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals on the lawsuit filed by Yale University and other U.S. universities opposing the "Don't Ask, Don't Tell" policy of the Department of Defense relating to gay men and women in military service. The ruling issued on September 17, 2007 has rejected the argument raised by Yale that it has a right to bar military recruiters from its job interview program. The ruling requires Yale to work with military recruiters or lose about $300 million in federal funding.

The article reports on the exhibition "Out Ranks," that documents the tortured relationship between gay troops and the U.S. military from World War II to the present. The exhibit traces the evolution of public policies on gays in the military. It also reflects the lives of individual soldiers and sailors who had to give up their personal identities when put on uniforms. It was noted that Michael Job, a Vietnam veteran, donated a bulletproof Bible, hats and other items for the exhibit.

The article focuses on openly gay U.S. Navy Petty Officer Second Class Jason Knight who was dismissed, recalled and would be dismissed again under the Don't Ask, Don't Tell policy. It states that sailor was discharged initially in 2005 after disclosing his homosexuality to his command. Also noted is that the service presented Knight with a bill of approximately $13,000 for repayment of his enlistment bonus. It adds that Knight is planning to volunteer for organizations to help the gay community.

The article reports on the participation of Andrew Chapin of New York City in a rally organized by the Servicemembers Legal Defense Network in Capitol Hill, Washington D.C. on March 26, 2007. He supported the legislative efforts to repeal the Don't Ask, Don't Tell policy concerning gay soldiers in the military. Openly gay Massachusetts Representative Barney Frank delivered a speech at the rally.

The article presents the views of several individuals regarding the remarks of Peter Pace, chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff (JCS), on morality. Construction worker Michael Focht says that Pace is just supporting the agenda of U.S. President George W. Bush. Opera singer Abia Hanza states that this is not the right time for Pace to talk about gays in the military. Pace is abusing his position according to communications technician James McArthur.

The article presents public opinion concerning the Don't Ask, Don't Tell policy in the U.S. military. Massage therapist Jerome W. L. Blackwolf states that the policy is misused by President George W. Bush to prevent gays from entering the military. Student Daniel Essaf cites that the policy could end in the next few years. Bartender John Paul Mootry anticipates that the policy would end someday because he believes that people should have freedom to express themselves.

The article reports that U.S. Democratic Senator Hillary Rodham Clinton plans to partner with gay activists if she will be elected president. Clinton opposes the Don't Ask, Don't Tell policy which concerns gays in the military. Former President Bill Clinton instituted the policy which requires gays to keep their sexual orientation private in order to serve in the military. The senator criticized the administration of President George W. Bush for making political appeals based on gay-rights issues.

The article offers news briefs concerning gay people in the U.S. The work of up-and-coming artist Michael Petry, to be featured in a New York gallery, takes an abstract approach to the U.S. anti-gay Don't Ask, Don't Tell military policy. California gay Republicans have begun a major effort to convince California Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger to sign a bill legalizing same-sex marriage. Olivia, a leading lesbian company, announces a fully interactive online social networking site for lesbian.

The article reports that John Shalikashvili, a retired U.S. Army general who was Joint Chiefs chairman when the Pentagon adopted the Don't Ask, Don't Tell policy on gays, has changed his position on gays in military service. Information is presented on his initial arguments against homosexuals serving openly in the military. Shalikashvili cautioned against pushing for repeal of the ban early in the new Congress. A Zogby poll was cited by Shalikasvili in explaining his shift on the issue.

The article reports on a survey revealing that U.S. military personnel are increasingly becoming comfortable working with gays and lesbians. Conducted by Zogby International and the Michael D. Palm Center, the survey found that 73% of service members do not object working with homosexual colleagues. 23% of the 545 personnel surveyed knew at least one gay or lesbian person in their unit.

The author comments on the significance of the results of the U.S. Congressional elections on November 7, 2006. He asserts that the election results indicate that citizens prefer a change from a corrupt and incompetent administration. He believes that anti-gay marriage legislation will not be introduced with the Democrats being the majority party. He assures that the GLBT community can expect changes in equal rights protection and on the ban on gays in the military.