When Fiction Comes To Life

Don’t Ask Don’t Tell

Don’t Ask Don’t Tell (DADT) is a well known phrase these days and very popular in the news lately. It was a military policy implemented in 1993 under President Clinton. While nearly 80% of all Americans today are in favor of repealing DADT, it was actually seen as a major breakthrough in gay rights when it was first introduced. It was a bipartisan compromise that ended the outright ban of gays, lesbians, and bisexuals from the military. The compromise stated that the military would not ask, and the service people would not tell what their sexual orientation was.

Little did anyone know at the time that it would cost taxpayers over 400 million dollars. It also resulted in nearly 14,000 dismissals of which approximately 1000 were considered mission critical, thus jeopardizing military readiness. This does not include the numbers that did not re-enlist because the fear of being found out was just too great. Even those that did not ‘tell’ lived in constant fear, because it was quite common for someone in an act of vengeance or other harassment to report on someone else’s sexual orientation.

While we implemented DADT, most of our allies in other countries outright removed all military discrimination based on sexual orientation. And everything has gone very well for them. In fact, our allies also recently announced that they will no longer fight alongside US troops unless we end our discrimination. They cite concern for their soldiers from US homophobia. Our allies make some interesting points in the following article: http://www.truthwinsout.org/blog/2010/05/8992

Some question why it makes any difference and wonder why people cannot simply remain silent. However, the truth is that soldiers are being asked to constantly lie about a major part of their life. While many soldiers openly discuss significant others and have pictures of their personal lives, the gay and lesbian soldiers are forbidden to do so. It is a constant every day concern for them.

DADT has had an impact on several of our favorite slash characters. Jasper felt he must break it off with Edward to join the military in “It’s Fate" by OCDJen. Edward is currently in counseling after having had to hold it all in and lie every day for eight years about who he was in “Southern Charm” by Meikela. One of the most difficult of all stories involving DADT which permeated the story was “Chromaticity” by shoefreak37. My favorite quote from that story is “Edward would glare at the faded, ubiquitous 'support our troops' magnets that were on every other vehicle he saw. Support our troops, but only if they're straight, he would think bitterly”

Here is a real life plea from the boyfriend of a soldier. He made and posted several videos. The saddest of which he made is called “Boyfriend left for military” where he is in tears. He almost looks like Edward in that one. In this one he explains the impact on DADT on real people and he makes several good points:

Read more real stories here:
http://www.wegiveadamn.org/category/military
http://www.sldn.org/blog/c/letters

It may seem like a small thing to some, and others may wonder what the big deal is if they are not interested in the military. However, historically how we treat our soldiers does tend to impact other elements of society. Remember when the voting age was dropped from 21 to 18? The strongest argument was that if they are old enough to die for their country, they are old enough to vote. We can only hope that once DADT is repealed, we will see more positive changes to our society.

The House of Representatives approved a measure that would add the repeal of DADT to the Defense Authorization Bill. As a compromise, it will only go into effect when signed off by the Defense Secretary, Joint Chiefs Chairman, and the President. It is unclear whether or not actual nondiscrimination language will be added to the military code and if any consideration will be made for a soldier’s partner. Republicans in the Senate have threatened to filibuster the bill. (Now would be a good time to contact your senator.)

If you are aware of any other Twilight slash stories featuring DADT, please let us know in the comments.

Tuesday's Best - 2-2-2010

It's Tuesday again and y'all know what that means! Yep, we're here to bring you some of the best stories we've been able to get our hot little hands on, and we aim to share. So sit back, relax...don't forget to grab a towel or two and enjoy!

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Whitlock's Girl brings you 

Southern Charm

by Meikela

Looking for some hot guy on guy action? Yes? Well, aren't we all. For me, I found it in Southern Charm by Meikela.

Jasper is a rarity. He's a Chicago cop, has been for the last 5 years and he's openly gay. His partner and brother-in-law is Emmett McCarty whose been married to Jasper's sister, Rosalie for the last year. Story opens and it's their last night on patrol. Come Monday, they will be sporting shiny new gold shields and working on days.

Meanwhile, Edward Cullen pulls into a parking spot behind St. Bernard Hospital. It's his first shift and even though his brother Carlisle is the Chief of Surgery, Edward was still a bit nervous at the thought of starting his new job. A war vet, Edward worked his way through the Navy to earn his MD and he's just returning to Chicago to start anew, excited to be able to just be himself, to quit hiding and be able to admit that he's gay. 

Both men are looking for something. Jasper, who's tired of looking for Mr. Right and only finding guys that are into Mr. Right Now; and Edward, who just wants to find himself and enjoy the peace and quiet. Unfortunately, or fortunately – fuck, I'm not sure which I should use - it's one of those situations that fucking sucks, but leads to the one thing you want most. Anyhow, while Edward is sick and tired of treating gun shot wounds, on this night he has to take care of one of Chicago's Finest.

Is it Jasper or Emmett? Is Rosalie going to get the call about her husband or her brother. Well, I'm not going to tell you, that would just ruin it. GO READ THE STORY! It's most definitely worth the time and effort. Leave Meikela some love and let me know what you think. I love to know if y'all agree with my opinions on the stories I rec.

Welcome to the famile, Meikela!

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And naelany brings you

Well, here I am again, bringing another story to you. I have to admit, I've been waffling a little over this one. I love the story (like, a lot), but the subject matter is one of those that come with strong feelings and opinions attached to it. Well, in real life situations at least (we all know this is fanfic though, and sometimes different rules seem to apply).

So which story am I talking about? It's Project Seduce Mr Whitlock by rmhale. Jasper Whitlock is a new teacher at Forks High. Edward Cullen is a student in his senior year. When Mr Whitlock walks into his last class of the day - Edward's history class - he catches the eye of one Mr Cullen. Jasper, in turn, is basically smitten at the mere sight of him. Oh, and did I happen to mention that our Edward is just 17?

Right, now you see why I said this subject comes with strong feelings and emotions attached. While what happens in the story is not something I ordinarily would condone, I am nevertheless intrigued by it. In part because Edward is very self-aware, and while he is only 17 years old, he isn't that far away from being a legal adult. If given time, there would be no issue for any relationship between them, other than the odd joke of Jasper robbing the cradle (hey, I can't say much against that, since I'm guilty of that one myself ;-)).

But things are never quite that simple, are they? And that's actually the part that has me intrigued. We get to follow along on their journey. Believe me when I say that they have plenty of stumbling blocks along the way. Some stemming from the fact they are teacher/student. Some from the age difference between them. And some because while Edward is still a virgin, Jasper has just come out of a bad relationship. Can we say a recipe rife with angst?

So far, rmhale has handled things really well, and given a good feel for both characters, and I trust that she will continue to do so. There are some errors in the story, but none that really detract from the telling of it. I'm along for the ride, anyway. Hopefully you will be, too.

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We hope y'all enjoyed the recs and remembered to get those towels. If you didn't, well, you're on your own for the cleaning bill - we did warn you. 

Also, don't forget about TU's Slash contest. Get some boy-lovin' headed our way. You know you want to ;-)