jim darby with rep. mike quigley (d-il)
photo credit // jay shaff
Quigley gets a kiss
Chicago, IL -
"With Liberty and Justice for All", a salute to America's Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender Veterans was held today at Daley Plaza in the Chicago loop. The event, attended by approximately 100 veterans and citizens, was sponsored by the Chicago Commission on Human Relations and American Veterans for Equal Rights (AVER).
DiversityInc. Media's CEO Luke Visconti was the keynote speaker encouraged the immediate repeal of DADT (Don't Ask Don't Tell) and railed President Obama for failing to meet the promises of his campaign and abandoning our gay service men. Visconti said "our Vets and currently serving LGBT armed services members deserve better."
Steve Lorando, a former ballistic nuclear submariner, offered that his fellow sailors "had no problem" with his sexual orientation, but changes of assignment always led to the fear of repercussions and caused him not to re-enlist.
In honoring Chicago's Gay Veterans, Congressman Mike Quigley (D-IL) said "I am a member of the Congressional Equality Caucus, and I have called upon my colleagues and President Obama to repeal "Don't Ask Don't Tell." He added "(DADT) is a policy so fundamentally hypocritical that it encourages citizens to put their lives on the line, to serve a country built upon freedom and democracy, as long as they lie about who they are."
Quigley then honored Jim Darby, Founder of AVER (American Veterans for Equal Rights) with a proclamation he entered into the Congressional Record. "As you know, AVER fights not only for LGBT veterans but also for gay and lesbian soldiers currently serving in our armed forces. AVER members travel to Washington every year to lobby members of Congress for an end to "Don't Ask, Don't Tell." And for fifteen years, AVER has fought against this detrimental policy. I want to recognize Jim Darby, the founder of the Chicago Chapter of AVER and a Korean War veteran. Jim served in the Navy as a Russian-language specialist, and along with others, has fought tirelessly to educate the general public and Congress on these issues."
On receiving the Congressional proclamation, a very moved Jim Darby thanked the Congressman and offered him a kiss on the cheek. A smiling Quigley exclaimed "my first on stage kiss!"
A proclamation from Mayor Richard M. Daley was read into the record by Chicago Commission on Human Relations Chair Dana Starks and there was a wreath laying ceremony to close the proceedings.
Video Coverage
by ChicagoPride.com video partner: OutWorld.tv (Report by John Fenoglio, OurWorld.tv Correspondent)
DiversityInc. Media's CEO Luke Visconti was the keynote speaker encouraged the immediate repeal of DADT (Don't Ask Don't Tell) and railed President Obama for failing to meet the promises of his campaign and abandoning our gay service men. Visconti said "our Vets and currently serving LGBT armed services members deserve better."
Steve Lorando, a former ballistic nuclear submariner, offered that his fellow sailors "had no problem" with his sexual orientation, but changes of assignment always led to the fear of repercussions and caused him not to re-enlist.
In honoring Chicago's Gay Veterans, Congressman Mike Quigley (D-IL) said "I am a member of the Congressional Equality Caucus, and I have called upon my colleagues and President Obama to repeal "Don't Ask Don't Tell." He added "(DADT) is a policy so fundamentally hypocritical that it encourages citizens to put their lives on the line, to serve a country built upon freedom and democracy, as long as they lie about who they are."
Quigley then honored Jim Darby, Founder of AVER (American Veterans for Equal Rights) with a proclamation he entered into the Congressional Record. "As you know, AVER fights not only for LGBT veterans but also for gay and lesbian soldiers currently serving in our armed forces. AVER members travel to Washington every year to lobby members of Congress for an end to "Don't Ask, Don't Tell." And for fifteen years, AVER has fought against this detrimental policy. I want to recognize Jim Darby, the founder of the Chicago Chapter of AVER and a Korean War veteran. Jim served in the Navy as a Russian-language specialist, and along with others, has fought tirelessly to educate the general public and Congress on these issues."
On receiving the Congressional proclamation, a very moved Jim Darby thanked the Congressman and offered him a kiss on the cheek. A smiling Quigley exclaimed "my first on stage kiss!"
A proclamation from Mayor Richard M. Daley was read into the record by Chicago Commission on Human Relations Chair Dana Starks and there was a wreath laying ceremony to close the proceedings.
Video Coverage
by ChicagoPride.com video partner: OutWorld.tv (Report by John Fenoglio, OurWorld.tv Correspondent)
