The deadline is May 24, 2010. Call, write or email your congressional representatives today. Information of who that is may be found at house.gov and senate.gov.
Gay Talk Radio and Queer Public Radio is proud to present an exclusive series of DADT shows. We are still in the scheduling process but hope to be speaking with 5 U.S. Military Veterans within the next two weeks. For this we’d like to thank Brett Edward Stout.
We are very proud to announce Major Mike Almy has confirmed he will be on Gay Talk Radio May 12, 2010 (Wednesday) at 10 AM ET/7 AM PT.
Major Mike Almy served in the Air Force, with distinction, for 13 years. Major Mike Almy was raised in a military family. The military is his life.
He was named officer of the year and officer of the quarter, multiple times during his 13 year career. His decorations include the Joint Commendation Medal, Air Force Commendation Medal and the Humanitarian Service Medal.
During his career he was deployed to the Middle East four times. In the stress of a war zone, the Air Force authorized them to use work email accounts for “personal or morale purposes” because private email accounts were blocked for security.
Shortly after he left Iraq, a routine search of his computer files was performed. Someone found that his “morale” was supported by the person he loved, who happened to be male.
The email, his modern day letter home, was forwarded to his commander.
He was relieved of his duties, his security clearance was suspended and part of his pay was terminated.
In his discharge proceeding, several of his former troops wrote character reference letters, including one of his squadron commanders. Their letters expressed their respect for him as an officer, their hope to have him back on the job and their shock at how the Air Force was treating him.
Approximately a year after he was relieved of his duties, his Wing Commander recommended he be promoted to Lieutenant Colonel, even though the Air Force was actively pursuing his discharge.
But instead, after 16 months, he was given a police escort off the base as if he were a common criminal or a threat to national security. The severance pay he received was half of what it would have been had he been separated for any other reason.
Even though he was discharged he has written a letter to President Obama stating he is ready to rejoin the military as soon as DADT is removed.
I am sure Major Almy and many others who fought for our freedom would urge you to contact your congressional representatives. The time to speak up is now!
GayTalkRadio.org a 24/7 LGBTQIA Licensed Independent Internet Radio Station.
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