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Carney defers to Justice Dept. on ‘Don’t Ask’ litigation

No comment on Bachmann husband’s ‘ex-gay’ clinic

Published

15 years ago

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White House Press Secretary Jay Carney (Blade file photo by Michael Key)

White House Press Secretary Jay Carney deferred to the Justice and Defense departments on Tuesday in response to inquiries about a court order barring the U.S. government from enforcing “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell.”

Under questioning from the Washington Blade, Carney deferred to the Justice Department when asked whether the president supports an order last week from a three-judge panel on the U.S. Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals reinstituting an injunction against the military’s gay ban.

“The Justice Department is reviewing the order, and I think I would point you to them for further information,” Carney said. “The president’s position, obviously, on the repeal of “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell” is quite clear and we fought hard to make it happen. And it was a significant accomplishment late last year.”

But pressed on whether Obama was himself supportive of the order, Carney again deferred to the Justice Department.

The Obama administration has the option to appeal the panel’s injunction barring enforcement of “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell” to the full Ninth Circuit or the U.S. Supreme Court. The Pentagon has instituted a moratorium to comply with the injunction, but has said it’s reviewing the decision with the Justice Department to determine whether it will appeal.

Asked about the possibility of challenging the order, Carney again deferred to the Justice Department, saying, “I think that’s the same answer.”

The injunction was put in place after legislation was signed in December allowing for repeal after 60 days pass following certification from the president, the defense secretary and the chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff. Troops have undertaken training to prepare for open service, but certification hasn’t taken place.

At a recent Pride reception at the White House, Obama said certification will happen in a matters of “weeks, not months.”

Carney deferred to the Pentagon when asked if the court order would impact the timing for the certification of repeal, although he added he expects certification in the “near future” and doesn’t expect the injunction to change that process.

“I think as the process moves forward I’ll refer you to the Defense Department,” Carney said. “I know Secretary Gates said shortly before he left that it was moving along very well and he would expect it to happen in the near future, but I don’t think there’s any impact.”

Carney also deferred to the Pentagon when asked if a more definite timeline has been set for certification, although he said he doesn’t think a date has been set.

“I would refer you to the Defense Department, but I don’t believe so,” Carney said.

Also, Carney declined to answer a question from ABC News Radio on whether the White House takes issue with federal money going to a counseling clinic that engages in ‘ex-gay’ therapy.

“I confess I do not have an answer to that question,” Carney said.

This week, Truth Wins Out revealed that Marcus Bachmann, the spouse of Republican presidential candidate Michele Bachmann, operates a clinic that engages in reparative therapy. The clinic reportedly has received federal dollars.

A partial transcript of the remarks between Carney and reporters on LGBT issues follows:

ABC News Radio: Does the White House have any problem with federal dollars being sent to a counseling clinic that engages in the controversial therapy of trying to cure people of being gay?

Jay Carney: Ann, I confess I do not have an answer to that question.

…

Washington Blade: Some questions on “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell.” Last week, the Ninth Circuit issued an order barring the government from enforcing this law. I’m sure the president heard the news last week. Was he supportive of the decision?

Carney: Is he aware of it?

Blade: I’m sure he heard the news last week. Is he supportive of it?

Carney: The Justice Department is reviewing the order, and I think I would point you to them for further information. The president’s position, obviously, on the repeal of “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell” is quite clear and we fought hard to make it happen. And it was a significant accomplishment late last year.

Blade: But as the head of the administration, was the president supportive of this court order ending that enforcement of “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell”?

Carney: Um, again I’m going to refer you to the Justice Department.

Blade: Do you anticipate that the administration will challenge or appeal this decision?

Carney: I think that’s the same answer.

Blade: What impact is this going to have on repeal certification? The president said before it’s going to happen in a matter of weeks, not months? Is it going to have any impact on that?

Carney: I think as the process moves forward I’ll refer you to the Defense Department. I know Secretary Gates said shortly before he left that it was moving along very well and he would expect it to happen in the near future, but I don’t think there’s any impact.

Blade: Is the definite date or time set for when that’s going to happen?

Carney: I would refer you to the Defense Department, but I don’t believe so.

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National

Lou Chibbaro Jr. documentary wins award from NLGJA

‘Lou’s Legacy’ produced by D.C.’s Mattachine Society

Published

2 days ago

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September 2, 2026

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“Lou’s Legacy: a Reporter’s Life at the Washington Blade,” a documentary produced by The Mattachine Society of Washington, D.C., will receive an Excellence in Journalism Award from NLGJA, the Association of LGBTQ+ Journalists. 

The film premiered on WETA PBS in D.C. and Maryland Public Television (MPT) in June of 2025. The documentary’s Emmy-nominated director and producer Patrick Sammon will accept the award for Excellence in Local Television on Sept. 11 at NLGJA’s National Convention in San Francisco. 

“Lou’s Legacy” was produced in association with the Mattachine Society of Washington, D.C., a non-profit LGBTQ history society dedicated to conducting original archival research. Aside from Sammon, the NLGJA is recognizing other members of the film’s production team including Producer Julianne Donofrio, Editor Amir Jaffer, Executive Producer Charles Francis, and Executive Producer Pate Felts.  

“Lou’s Legacy” tells the story of two D.C. icons — legendary Washington Blade reporter Lou Chibbaro Jr. and beloved drag performer Donnell Robinson, known to generations of Washington audiences as “Ella Fitzgerald.” Through Lou’s nearly five-decade career at the Blade and Ella’s return to the stage after a three-year hiatus following COVID, the 29-minute documentary explores the history of Washington’s LGBTQ community and today’s rising backlash against LGBTQ rights, including laws targeting drag performers. 

“All students of journalism can learn a lot from the story of Lou Chibbaro, Jr. Lou has chronicled nearly five decades of LGBTQ+ life and the community’s struggle for equality in Washington, D.C. Lou’s work and the role of the queer press has been essential in covering stories the mainstream media would often ignore or erase,” said Ryan Levi, president of the D.C. chapter of the NLGJA.  

“We are thrilled to receive this award from the NLGJA,” said the film’s director Patrick Sammon. “Lou Chibbaro’s nearly five decade career at the Washington Blade demonstrates the essential role LGBTQ journalism plays in telling our community’s stories and documenting its history. This recognition from journalists who follow in Lou’s footsteps is particularly meaningful to me and the rest of our production team.”

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Arizona

Shooting outside gay bar in Ariz. leaves three dead

Tucson police investigating double murder-suicide as a hate crime

Published

2 days ago

on

September 1, 2026

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The shooting happened outside Venture-N bar in Tucson, Ariz. (Washington Blade photo by Michael K. Lavers)

Three people were fatally shot outside a gay bar in Tucson, Ariz., early Monday morning, about a mile from the city’s nightlife district.

Police have said the shooting, which took place in the parking lot of Venture-N bar at 1239 N. 6th Ave., was likely a hate crime and a double murder-suicide following a verbal altercation.

The suspect, Ousman Ceesay, allegedly shot Vincent Anthony Siqueiros and Cameron Davis Capara while they were outside the club around 12:30 a.m. Monday.

Reports show Capara and Siqueiros were pronounced dead at the scene. Ceesay died after being taken to a local hospital with gunshot wounds.

Police have also said that Ceesay was carrying a list of LGBTQ businesses at the time of the shooting.

Arizona Public Media has said police are investigating the case as a hate crime because the suspect was carrying a note containing the names of multiple LGBTQ-associated businesses.

“I am deeply saddened that another senseless loss of life has happened in our community,” Tucson Police Chief Monica Prieto said in a statement. “Bias-based crimes are especially heinous and have no place in our community.”

According to Prieto, there is no imminent threat to the community, and the Tucson Police Department is working to provide extra protection to various LGBTQ businesses across town.

Congresswoman Adelita Grijalva, who represents the area, issued a statement condemning the act of violence, which appears to have been at least in part motivated by homophobia.

“I am disgusted and deeply saddened to learn of a targeted act of hate and the cold-blooded murder of two members of our LGBTQIA+ community, Vincent Siqueiros and Cameron Capara, at the Venture-N bar in Tucson last night. This horrific attack is a painful reminder that even in welcoming communities like Tucson, hate and violence against the LGBTQIA+ community still exist.”

“When that hate is combined with easy access to firearms, the consequences can be deadly. I am sick and tired of Congress refusing to lift a finger to protect our communities while, every day, dozens of people are shot and killed across the country. It does not have to be this way. The House of Representatives is returning to session this week, and our first action should be passing common-sense gun safety reforms that we know can save lives.”

Other federal lawmakers also condemned the shooting.

The Congressional Equality Caucus, which is made up of federal legislators advancing LGBTQ interests, issued a statement after news broke.

“Our hearts are with the friends and loved ones of the victims of this devastating attack outside a Tucson gay bar and with the Tucson LGBTQI+ community,” it said on X. “No one should fear violence because of who they are — and we’re going to continue fighting to build a world where no one does.”

The Human Rights Campaign, the largest LGBTQ organization in the country, released a statement following the shooting.

“We are heartbroken by the loss of Vincent Anthony Siqueiros and Cameron Davis Capara and our hearts are with their families, loved ones, and the entire Tucson LGBTQ+ community. Once again, we are reminded that gun violence robs people of their lives, destroys families, and devastates communities.”

A candlelight vigil honoring the victims is planned for Sept. 2 at 6:30 p.m. at Catalina Park in North Tucson.

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Congress

HRC president campaigns for Chris Pappas in NH

Gay congressman running to succeed retiring U.S. Sen. Jeanne Shaheen

Published

3 days ago

on

August 31, 2026

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Human Rights Campaign President Kelley Robinson, left, campaigns with U.S. Rep. Chris Pappas (D-N.H.) in Manchester, N.H., on Aug. 30, 2026. (Photo courtesy of the Human Rights Campaign)

Human Rights Campaign President Kelley Robinson on Sunday campaigned for U.S. Rep. Chris Pappas (D-N.H.) in New Hampshire.

Robinson traveled to Manchester, the state’s largest city, nine days before the Sept. 8 primary that will determine who will vie for retiring U.S. Sen. Jeanne Shaheen (D-N.H.)’s seat.

Former U.S. Sen. John E. Sununu, who represented New Hampshire in the U.S. Senate from 2003-2009, will face off against former U.S. Sen. Scott Brown, who represented Massachusetts in the U.S. Senate from 2010-2013, in the Republican primary.

Karishma Manzur is among the Democrats challenging Pappas.

A poll the University of New Hampshire Survey Center released on Aug. 26 shows Sununu is ahead of Brown. The same survey shows Pappas ahead of Manzur and his other Democratic challengers.

The UNH Survey Center poll shows Sununu ahead of Pappas by a 45-43 percent margin if they were to face off in the general election. The margin of error is +/-2.1 percent.

Pappas would become the first openly gay man elected to the U.S. Senate if he were to win in November.

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