Team Infidel
Forum Spin Doctor
San Antonio Express-News
April 19, 2007
By Guillermo Contreras, Express-News
This first American serviceman wounded in the war in Iraq told a crowd of a few dozen people in San Antonio on Wednesday that he believes the military's "don't ask, don't tell" policy will be repealed following next year's presidential election.
In his first public address in San Antonio since he disclosed his homosexuality in late February in Washington, retired Marine Sgt. Eric Alva also called on the crowd at Our Lady of the Lake University to support legislation aimed at protecting basic human rights, such as a hate-crimes bill, and the recognition of marriage of gay couples.
"When I went out to war and was finishing 13 years in the United States Marine Corps defending this country, it was for the rights and freedoms of everybody in this country," said Alva, who lives in San Antonio and attends the university. "Not just politicians, not just a certain person of color or a person of a certain culture. It was for everybody."
Alva lost his leg March 21, 2003 — the first day of Operation Iraqi Freedom — after stepping on a landmine.
In the Democratic-controlled Congress there has been a new push to repeal the "don't ask, don't tell" policy that has been the basis for thousands of "homosexual separations" — what the military calls the discharges. Rep. Martin Meehan, D-Mass., introduced legislation to repeal the policy in February.
"I think it's a given. I'm going to just say this," said Alva, who has become the national spokesman for the Human Rights Campaign, a civil rights group: "There will be a Democratic president. (The bill) will pass, and (the policy) will be repealed."
Alva shared the stage with other speakers who gave examples of discrimination and intolerance they've endured because of their sexual orientation during national Day of Silence.
The event began at the University of Virginia in 1996, and participants generally remain silent most of the day to highlight the silence many gays, bisexuals and lesbians face because of discrimination.
The local stage was unconventional. It was the first time the Catholic university on the West Side participated in a Day of Silence. Some of the speakers criticized the Catholic Church for not accepting them completely because it doesn't condone homosexual activity.
The events at OLLU were organized by students in one of Cynthia Medina's social work classes and saw 250 students and about 50 members of the staff and faculty participating in the day's events.
"We really want to create safer schools for all students," said student Naomi Brown, one of the organizers. "That's really what this is about."
The religious order that sponsors the university said in a news release that the Catholic Church condemns the mistreatment of homosexuals and calls for the respect and dignity of everyone.
"Following our Catholic beliefs, OLLU seeks to create a welcoming environment for all students," Sister Jane Ann Slater, superior general of the Congregation of Divine Providence, said in the release. "The teachings of the church make it clear that the fundamental human rights of homosexual persons must be defended and that all of us must strive to eliminate any forms of injustice, oppression or violence against them."
April 19, 2007
By Guillermo Contreras, Express-News
This first American serviceman wounded in the war in Iraq told a crowd of a few dozen people in San Antonio on Wednesday that he believes the military's "don't ask, don't tell" policy will be repealed following next year's presidential election.
In his first public address in San Antonio since he disclosed his homosexuality in late February in Washington, retired Marine Sgt. Eric Alva also called on the crowd at Our Lady of the Lake University to support legislation aimed at protecting basic human rights, such as a hate-crimes bill, and the recognition of marriage of gay couples.
"When I went out to war and was finishing 13 years in the United States Marine Corps defending this country, it was for the rights and freedoms of everybody in this country," said Alva, who lives in San Antonio and attends the university. "Not just politicians, not just a certain person of color or a person of a certain culture. It was for everybody."
Alva lost his leg March 21, 2003 — the first day of Operation Iraqi Freedom — after stepping on a landmine.
In the Democratic-controlled Congress there has been a new push to repeal the "don't ask, don't tell" policy that has been the basis for thousands of "homosexual separations" — what the military calls the discharges. Rep. Martin Meehan, D-Mass., introduced legislation to repeal the policy in February.
"I think it's a given. I'm going to just say this," said Alva, who has become the national spokesman for the Human Rights Campaign, a civil rights group: "There will be a Democratic president. (The bill) will pass, and (the policy) will be repealed."
Alva shared the stage with other speakers who gave examples of discrimination and intolerance they've endured because of their sexual orientation during national Day of Silence.
The event began at the University of Virginia in 1996, and participants generally remain silent most of the day to highlight the silence many gays, bisexuals and lesbians face because of discrimination.
The local stage was unconventional. It was the first time the Catholic university on the West Side participated in a Day of Silence. Some of the speakers criticized the Catholic Church for not accepting them completely because it doesn't condone homosexual activity.
The events at OLLU were organized by students in one of Cynthia Medina's social work classes and saw 250 students and about 50 members of the staff and faculty participating in the day's events.
"We really want to create safer schools for all students," said student Naomi Brown, one of the organizers. "That's really what this is about."
The religious order that sponsors the university said in a news release that the Catholic Church condemns the mistreatment of homosexuals and calls for the respect and dignity of everyone.
"Following our Catholic beliefs, OLLU seeks to create a welcoming environment for all students," Sister Jane Ann Slater, superior general of the Congregation of Divine Providence, said in the release. "The teachings of the church make it clear that the fundamental human rights of homosexual persons must be defended and that all of us must strive to eliminate any forms of injustice, oppression or violence against them."