Date: Sun, 28 Jan 1996 08:39:09 EST From: TCCP00D@prodigy.com (MR ANDREW B EDDY) Subject: Re: Fwd: Letter from AF CAPT Warren Ding INFORMATIONAL RELEASE Karl Clark, AFV Exex. V.P. P.O. Box 1281, Ft.Lauderdale, FL 33302 KarlClark@aol.com "We Care" AMERICAN FEDERATION OF VETERANS "An Alliance for Equality of Rights" * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * Contact: TomSwann@aol.com Re: FORWARDED MESSAGE LETTER FROM AF CAPT WARREN DINGES Date: 01/27/96 08:20 PM WE NEED YOUR HELP!!! This is the complete text of a handwritten letter I received from Air Force Captain Warren Dinges. CAPT Dinges is serving time at Fort Leavenworth Prison due to a November 15 conviction and sentence for engaging in consensual, private sex with an adult civilian male. The Air Force used coercive tactics in the trial; even threatening contempt of Court and a 6-month jail sentence if the civilian did not testify against CAPT Dinges. I have sent letters to the Air Force Secretary seeking a release from prison pending the appeal. Marsha Scott Deputy Assistant at The White House is receiving letters at fax number (202) 456-5558. I am attending a reception for Marsha Scott next month and will deliver your petitions and letters to her in person. You can also fax letters to Marsha Scott seeking a Presidential veto of the Defense Spending bill. The current legislation seeks to discharge all HIV-positive service members. I know how difficult this can be for military members. The ACLU represented me in a successful case vs. Navy which includes HIV/AIDS discrimination. Military officials can be cruel. The ACLU Lesbian and Gay Rights Chapter (Los Angeles) reported in their January 1996 issue that over 500 people were kicked out of the U.S. military last year because of their sexual orientation. Tom Swann Proud Gay Veteran Member of AmFedVets and other organizations who support the lifting of ban "don't ask - don't tell." * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * Here is the letter: 17 Jan 96 Dear Tom Swann, I cannot begin to express my appreciation for your support of me, my case and the fight in which I have most recently been thrust. Your letter was the first of now 6 letters from others offering encouragement. It is definitely comforting to know that there are enough other gay and lesbian veterans that we could actually have a hand in ending this policy of discrimination. Here in prison I look forward to three things each day: mail call, another day passing-another day closer to freedom and the hope that I will be the last service member sent to jail and convicted of a crime solely due to sexual orientation. As I learn more about your case, the cases listed in a book Conduct Unbecoming by Randy Shilts and the so many others that have gone before, I become even more appalled and astounded. I bear absolute contempt for and disgust with the military legal system that permits, condones and encourages such injustice. This cannot last. The Constitution to which service members take their oath will not permit it. Maybe, just maybe I will be the last. I am glad and honored to help and assist in anyway that I can. I am just now beginning to realize the impact that this case could have. That alone couldmake what I personally have gone through worth it. Your continued support is greatly appreciated! I will write and answer any questions that you have. SLDN has the details of my case. Please encourage your readers and E-Mail correspondents to express their feelings to their representatives and the officials in Washington, D.C. That seems to be the most immediate remedy. I thank you again for your support. It is outstanding. Sincerely, Warren Dinges Note: Send letters to Air Force CAPT Warren Dinges Box 76543-6B 310 McPherson Avenue Ft. Leavenworth Kansas 66027-1363 -------------- End of message ---------------