"Don't Ask, Don't Tell" is the only U.S. law that mandates firing someone because of his or her sexual orientation. The ban applies to all Americans serving in the U.S. armed forces, including active duty, Reserve, and National Guard personnel. Over 11,000 Americans have been discharged under "Don't Ask, Don't Tell" in the last twelve years -- an average of two people per day.
This discrimination has cost us, as taxpayers, more than $363 million, and has resulted in the discharges of valuable military personnel such as linguists, pilots, doctors, and intelligence analysts. Many of those discharged have critical skills needed in the service, including at least 300 linguists with skills in key languages such as Arabic and Korean.
There's simply no reason that people with the courage and skills the military needs should be prevented from serving in our armed forces if they so choose. Gay soldiers have served in every war our nation has fought, and currently serve openly in the military of almost every modern industrialized nation on the planet.
To correct the fundamental injustice of "Don't Ask, Don't Tell," in February of this year Rep. Marty Meehan (D-MA) introduced the Military Readiness Enhancement Act (H.R. 1246). It will repeal the discriminatory "Don't Ask, Don't Tell" statute and replace it with policy of non-discrimination based on sexual orientation in our military. Contact your representative today to express your support for H.R. 1246.
You can express your support for Rep. Meehan's bill via an electronic message form at this link.
26 June 2007
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