Last night on Lundon Calling, Ace, Lance and I interviewed Col. Grethe Cammermeyer–the highest ranking member of the military to ever be discharged under the military’s ban on gay and lesbian servicemembers. She was the subject of of the 1995 Emmy-award winning TV movie, Serving In Silence, starring Glenn Close, and after winning her case in the US Appellate Court, she went back into the military and served as an open lesbian until 1997.

Our 90 minute conversation in Episode 73 focused mainly on the issue of lesbian and gay discrimination in the military, but we discussed a wide range of topics from her run for United States Congress to her parents’ participation in the Nazi resistance in WWII-era Norway, to political parties to religion. You should know by now that no topic is off-limits for this show!

Most important to consider about interviewing Col. Cammermeyer, however, is that this interview gives us perspective on the eve of a Senate Armed Services Committee vote to approve the Military Readiness Enhancement Act’s language, and attach that language that would end the law banning gay and lesbian military service to the “must pass” Defense Department Authorization bill.

Experts say votes to attach the bill to the authorization are imminent in the House and Senate this Thursday morning, and–barring any Republican motion to recommit–we may see an end to the US law banning gay service members this year.

As we discussed on the show, the ball would move to the Executive Branch’s court. The compromise reached Monday morning does not include all of the pieces that activists had pushed for. Gone is the nixing of the “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell” policy, the end of the ban on sodomy, and nowhere is there the addition of gays and lesbians to non-discrimination policy.

What does exist, however, is a clear path to a full repeal by empowering the Pentagon to enact these changes when Secretary Gates’ study group concludes and reports its findings in December. Further pressure being put on Secretary Gates’ boss–the President of the United States–would not be ill placed at the moment, since there will be no one in Congress to blame anymore if the discharges do not end.

Please listen to our intriguing and informative interview with Col. Cammermeyer and leave a comment!

Well we’re all Forty-Niners now!

Lundon Calling’s 49th show was spectacular!  Lance was able to keep Ace at bay for about 5 minutes, but Ace made it very clear to Lance that his name is on the Marquee–he does NOT appreciate being interrupted!

Happy Samhain, everyone!  Happy Halloween everyone else!  Happy BOTH Saint Patrick!

We discussed a lot from religion, DADT, David Mixner’s Live from Hell’s Kitchen, Las Vegas, Last House on the Left, Bilerico.com, Detroit and Simone Bell, to Hate Crimes legislation, to the March (again) and what we’re doing now, to Islam and sexual harassment–even straight people! What’s your opinion of Fox News?  Do you think Ace should switch the channel or is he right to watch?

Where do you get your news?  I get mine from CNN.com, LGBT blogs, Newser–am I too limited, too biased?  Who’s getting better news–Ace or me?

Hey Lance–where do you get your news?  Lets see if he’s reading this!

We talked a lot about transgender protections in Hate Crimes legislation and the Employment Non-Discrimination Act.  Are you transgender?  What do you think of the Hate Crimes legislation?  Do you think we’re going to get an inclusive ENDA?

Do you like our new theme music?  I have always LOVED the Clash!  I think part of the reason Ace talked me into co-hosting this show is because its named after a Clash song!

ARE YOU IN VEGAS?  Go see Ace this weekend!  I’m sure he’d LOVE to meet you!

Til NEXT WEEK, babies!