Category Archives: Newsflash

Happy Military Freedom Day

This day, September 19th, marks the last day, three years ago, of Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell.  Repeal of DADT, which was signed into law by President Barack Obama on December 22, 2010, officially took effect on September 20th, 2011.  As flags were lowered at Retreat ceremonies on United States military posts and warships around the world, the nearly 100 year old ban against gay, lesbian, and bisexual service members became a part of history.  An injustice ended.  America became more free.  

This did not just happen.  It happened because many people worked very hard for a very long time to create the change that made the guardians of America’s freedom the representatives of the liberty they serve to safeguard.  American Veterans for Equal Rights was on the front line of this long engagement from the very start.  We can all be very proud of that accomplishment.  You created change.  You made this happen.  

The past few years have been amazing.  We now have openly gay general officers serving in our military.  The Department of Defense officially recognizes same-sex marriages and offers full benefits to the spouses of our brave warriors.  Marriage equality is sweeping our nation, a social revolution that is quite unlikely to have happened without the repeal of DADT.  Honored warriors, thank you for your hard work.  You made this happen.  This is your legacy.  

There is still work to be done.  The VA still does not offer full benefits to the legally married spouses of LGB service members.  Transgender Americans still cannot serve in the military.  Many states still do not recognize our same-gender marriages.  LGB service members do not have the unit level access to EEO officers to give them immediate protection from harassment and threats from their fellow service members.  Veterans who received less-than-honorable discharges for no other reason than their sexual orientation need to have those discharges upgraded so they can access the benefits they earned for their service.  We have work to do.  

As we near the beginning of our 25th year of service, please consider the accomplishments of this great organization and your role in making America a more free and just society.  This year we said goodbye to one of our founders, Chuck Schoen.  Chuck lived to see the repeal of DADT.  Let’s continue his work, and broaden his legacy to continue the change he started.  

Thank you to all the members of American Veterans for Equal Rights for your service to our nation and your commitment to making the United States military the true representatives of the freedom it exists to protect.  I ask that you continue with us as we step forward into our next quarter century.  American Veterans for Equal Rights remains the respected voice of LGBT military veterans in the United States.  When Congress, the VA, the Commander-In-Chief, and other major government agencies come looking for answers to their questions about LGBT veterans, they come to AVER.  Please keep that voice strong.  

Happy Military Freedom Day.  You did this.  Carry on. 

Danny Ingram, President Emeritus

American Veterans for Equal Rights

Hagel Orders Guards to Grant Benefits

Defense Secretary Chuck Hagel on Thursday ordered all state National Guards to grant same-sex couples full benefits after Indiana, Georgia, Florida, Mississippi, Louisiana, Oklahoma, South Carolina and West Virginia refused to do so.

In a speech at the Anti-Defamation League in New York Thursday, Hagel said that he was directing the state Guards to issue same-sex couples ID cards and the benefits that come with them. He asked National Guard Chief Gen. Frank Grass to meet with the Guard state leaders in the nine states in order to resolve the issue.

“Not only does this violate the states’ obligations under federal law, their actions have created hardship and inequality by forcing couples to travel long distances to federal military bases to obtain the ID cards they’re entitled to,” Hagel said, according to prepared remarks of his speech.

A senior defense official said Hagel is prepared “to take further action” if the states do not comply with the Pentagon directive on benefits for same-sex spouses.

Danny Ingram, National Treasurer and Immediate Past President
American Veterans for Equal Rights

AVER Address by BG Tammy Smith

This week our National President, Steve Loomis, is in San Antonio, TX, attending the 2013 OUTSERVE conference.  AVER’s support of our active duty LGBT service members is crucial to our mission of providing support to the men and women who defend our nation’s freedom in the United States military.

I am attaching perhaps the greatest gift that I could ever share with each one of you.  The attached address by Brigadier General Tammy Smith was first viewed at AVER’s recent national convention in Denver, which was a remarkable experience for everyone who attended.  I cried when I first saw this video and I am still incredibly proud of it.  I hope it will make you proud as well, and help you understand why AVER is important, and why your membership is so vital to our ongoing work.

October means membership renewal time.  I hope that seeing General Smith’s address will encourage you to renew your membership and invite new veterans to join our ranks.  You will soon be receiving a letter in the mail with details about how to renew.  I hope that you will renew your commitment to continue your honorable service to our great nation, our military, and those who serve to defend our freedom.

Danny Ingram, National Treasurer and Immediate Past President
American Veterans for Equal Rights

2013 AVER National Convention, Rocky Mountain Chapter

On-line registration for the 2013 AVER National Convention is now available at the following site: http://www.aver-rmc.org/calendar/aver-natl-convention-2013/

Denver’s Rocky Mountain Chapter is excited to be the host of the 2013 AVER National Convention. AVER RMC is pleased to open on-line registration beginning today.

RMC has chosen the theme “Continuing to Serve” for the bi-annual convention. Please consider attending this vital event as we elect new national officers and plan strategies to build chapters and shape the future mission of AVER as the nation’s LGBT Veterans Service Organization.

Now is the time to consider running for national office. All national board positions are open, and AVER members are encouraged to step forward to help lead our organization. Please consider running for the national board and help chart the future course of AVER.

Danny Ingram, National President
American Veterans for Equal Rights

Donate to AVER for 2010 Tax Deduction

Today is the last possible day for 2010 tax-deductible donations. Our LGBT service members need their marriages to be federally recognized, they need fair housing protection, their spouses need employment protection, and so much more. Our LGBT veterans need VA medical care free from discrimination, the ability to apply for joint VA-backed mortgages, and so much more.

AVER is in this for the long haul, and we are all volunteers! This entry was posted in Newsflash on by .