Military Hunks

Another fascinating photography page that has emerged o the web in the last week, and caused a bit of a  stir is 'Military Hunks'.  It's a Tumblr blog run by a chap who describes his blog in the following terms:

'Pics from Iraq, Private Collections of My own and Friends, My time in the Navy and as a Civilian Contractor for the DoD. Thank God for Gay & Gay Friendly Soldiers, Marines, and Sailors! We Rock!'

The blog features various nude 'military hunks' (clue in the title) and that's probably enough for most people to get clicking away.  The ever-excellent Sword blog (NSFW) notes that the mere posting of these images reflects the end of Don't Ask Don't Tell (although none of the photographs indicate homosexuality - although I'm not sure an image can denote that, beyond an act), but given names are used, The Sword speculates whether this could still land the guys in the photos in a  spot of bother.  I'm really not sure why but we strangely seem to be shocked as a society when confronted that people we thought had penises, are confirmed as being in possession of the sizable asset in question.

Anyhow, beyond the frivolous titillating photographs that will no doubt brighten many readers Sunday the photographs do document in a fascinating and compelling way life in Iraq and the complexities that can mean.  Naked, sexualised images in these spaces are a reminder of the humanistic set against the humanistic, and law - whether it be the permission to kill that war grants, or the morality that is imposed pom those who do the killing is ripped open and displayed through these images.

The Lawyer blogger, David Allen Green may be once more impressed at my ability to connect law and sexuality once again (see his comments on The Lawyer last week) but given my fundamental view that law shapes, reflects and re-makes society, it isn't all that surprising to me :-)

I've posted just a handful of the (safe!) captivating images.  The full picture collection can be viewed (including the full nudes) here.  I strongly recommend this wonderful collection.  I hope someone has the vision to turn it into a book!

DADT

Ahhh, as predictable as night follows day, DADT (the US military policy of Don't Ask Don't Tell) remains in place. This is despite Obama signing a repeal following the vote of the US Senate to repeal the 1993 Clinton law last year. I was one of the few party poopers who noted it wouldn't be simply swept away and I'm sad to say I seem to be right. The repeal doesn't kick in until the Pentagon certifies that military readiness won't be impacted by a repeal. That can be as quick or short as you like. It is a classic 'how long is a piece of string?' clause.

If you want to stall (as the military seem to), you can require reviews, reports, all terribly time consuming. You'll emphasise how committed to equality you are, but nobody wants to put our brave service personnel at any greater risk. The armed forces aren't the same as Walmart etc. Play the old nationalist card and you're safe for another six months.

On the other hand, if you were serious about change, you'd emphasise that change never comes quickly, that it's important a clear signal is sent out. Our brave men and women have never ducked the hard decisions and the difficult challenges, thrive on challenge, and we're implementing this reform immediately. We know it's going to be tough blah blah blah.

This latest move is by Log Cabin Republicans (apparently not because you can fit all the gay republicans in the world into a tiny log cabin), who have brought a legal action in California to challenge the ongoing delay. One to watch, but immediate can be such a flexible term.

DADT in Further Set-Back as America Goes to Polls

The San Francisco Chronicle might be focused upon the Giants winning the World Series (remind me - who else in the world takes part?), but other media outlets are reporting the decision by U.S. 9th Circuit Court of Appeals in San Francisco decided to set aside an injunction issued by a federal judge, who told the Pentagon it must immediately suspend enforcement of the 1993 law that calls for discharging openly gay men and women.

This is undoubtedly a set-back for hopes to repeal DADT and comes at an unhelpful moment for the Obama presidency. Americans go to the polls today and the left will undoubtedly put pressure on Obama to make some sort of clear pronouncement today that he wants DADT gone whilst his advisers will be desperate to avoid any such statement (my guess is he won't say anything).

Assuming all the polls are just a little bit right, Obama and the Democrats are in for a thrashing in the elections. For gay rights, this means the focus will increasingly be upon the courts which I know has long been the argument of many gay rights lawyers anyway.

Read the LA Times take on the DADT decision here.

It Gets Better...Today

I blogged yesterday about the US 'It Gets Better' campaign which comes in the wake of a series of high-profile suicides among gay teenagers in the States. As is so often the way, England has followed suit with Stonewall launching a campaign called 'It Gets Better...Today'. It's actually a good idea but it might have been nice to more formally link it into the US campaign and try and get a global community (which YouTube does rather well anyway). Stonewall has filmed a series of professional films and the one I find the most compelling is from Lance Corporal James Wharton - an openly gay soldier. For all those in the US fearful of a world post DADT it is essential viewing. For all those seeking hope, it is equally compelling. You can view the video below and check out the Stonewall YouTube channel here.

DADT Fails

The bid to repeal DADT did sadly fail. Read the latest here.

Lady Gaga and DADT

A vote is finally being taken on Don't Ask Don't Tell in the US. This is the policy that means you can't ask anyone in the US armed forces if they are gay (if you are yourself in the armed forces) and you can not reveal if you are gay. It was a typically botched measure from the Clinton administration but Obama is so far, a long way from the shining knight on LGBT issues.

The Advocate suggests it's not going well and is not likely to be passed (see here). My own guess based on the briefings and general vibes I got while talking to lawyers and campaigners during my recent visit to the States is that it won't be passed but it's a bit up in the air. Channel 4 news mentioned the vote tonight but focused on the Lady Gaga aspect which, if the vote is lost will actually prove to be key in what follows. She's been a tireless and it's argued, effective campaign on this issue, like many LGBT issues. Read that report and see the Gaga video here.

Don't Ask, Don't Tell: Life at West Point

The New York Times carries a powerful, moving and fascinating piece today, on life under DADT at the US military training 'base', West Point. Read it in full here. It's a reminder for us all that there are still so many people in supposidly free societies that have to lead double lives and hide in the closet.

Obama and Don't Ask, Don't Tell

I'm slightly puzzled by this story. The media was trailing on Friday/Saturday that Obama would be addressing the Human Rights Campaign on Saturday in a bid to re-connect with gay Americans who feel the Democrat administration has so far failed to live up to their campaign promises. I've discussed in earlier posts the general mood among gay activists and lawyers in the US based on my time over there during the summer. I have to confess, I wasn't holding my breath for anything dramatic. It's just as well. The BBC reports the story with a bit of fanfare - 'Obama to end military gay policy'. This is the Clinton era policy that nobody can ask you if you are gay, and you shouldn't tell anyone. If you are 'publicly' gay then you will be discharged. It's a barmy compromise but was arguably better than an all out ban. Obama's latest statement is actually a re-statement of previous commitments. He offered no timetable and no concrete path forward on achieving it. In reality, he gave nothing. America has a very different political and constitutional system to the one we have in the UK, making it much harder to pass reforming legislation and a slower process. However, Obama can show leadership and this simply isn't good enough.

The speech can be viewed via the BBC link and on the HRC website.