FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: September 14, 2009
Trevor Thomas | Phone: 202/216.1547 | Cell: 202/250.9758
Jarrod Chlapowski | Phone: 202/772.3889 | Cell: 616/430.2030
Human Rights Campaign, Servicemembers United Bring National Tour to Repeal “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell”
to Miami
Gay, lesbian, and straight service members highlight “Voices of Honor: A Generation Under ‘Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell’”
MIAMI, FL – The Human Rights Campaign, the nation’s largest lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) civil rights organization, in
partnership with Servicemembers United, the nation's largest organization of gay and lesbian troops and veterans and their straight allies, visited
Miami, FL today as part of “Voices of Honor: A Generation Under ‘Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell.’” The national tour highlights the discriminatory law that
hurts military readiness and national security while putting American soldiers fighting overseas at risk. The tour will continue with stops in
Orlando, FL on September 16, and in Tampa, FL on September 17. To learn more, visit: www.hrc.org/VoicesOfHonor.
“This tour focuses on the voices and stories of the qualified, patriotic gay and lesbian service members who are forced out of the U.S. Armed
Services simply because of who they are,” said Human Rights Campaign President Joe Solmonese. “Poll after poll continues to show the vast
majority of Americans, including the majority of active members of the Armed Services, support the right of gay and lesbian service members to
serve openly and honestly. We must repeal this discriminatory policy and ensure that our military can recruit and retain the best and the brightest
troops regardless of their sexual orientation.”
“‘Don't Ask, Don't Tell’ is an antiquated holdover from a previous era,” said Alex Nicholson, Executive Director of Servicemembers United. “The
men and women in the modern military, both gay, lesbian, and straight, are professionals. Servicemembers United and HRC are going on the
road with the ‘Voices of Honor’ tour to show the American public who gay service members really are, and that our fellow troops simply do not
care about sexual orientation anymore.”
“‘Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell’ clearly isn’t working for our military, and it hurts national security and military readiness at a time when America is fighting
in two wars in Iraq and Afghanistan,” said U.S. Rep. Patrick Murphy (D-PA). “My time in Iraq taught me that our military needs the best and the
brightest who are willing to serve- and that means all Americans, regardless of their orientation. Discharging brave and talented service
members from our armed forces is contrary to the values that our military fights for and that our nation holds dear.”
Rep. Murphy, an Iraq War veteran and a former paratrooper in the U.S. Army's elite 82nd Airborne Division, recently took over as the lead sponsor
of the Military Readiness Enhancement Act (H.R. 1283), the bill to repeal the “Don't Ask, Don't Tell” law. After more than 15 years, many former
congressional and senior military leaders who were involved in the construction and implementation of the “Don't Ask, Don't Tell” law have
recently called for the law to be reviewed or repealed, including former Joint Chiefs Chairmen Gen. John Shalikashvili and Gen. Colin Powell, and
former Senate Armed Services Committee Chairman Sen. Sam Nunn (D-GA).
Passed in 1993, the “Don't Ask, Don't Tell” law allows gay, lesbian and bisexual service personnel to serve in the armed forces as long as their
sexual orientation is not publicly disclosed or discovered. As of 2008, more than 13,000 men and women have been fired from the military
because of their sexual orientation, including more than 60 Arabic linguists and nearly 800 other service members in critical occupational fields.
“Voices of Honor” features a diverse group of gay, lesbian and straight veterans who have served under the military's “Don't Ask, Don't Tell” policy.
For veteran profiles, visit: http://www.hrc.org/sites/voicesofhonor/about_vets.asp
The Human Rights Campaign is America’s largest civil rights organization working to achieve lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender equality. By
inspiring and engaging all Americans, HRC strives to end discrimination against LGBT citizens and realize a nation that achieves fundamental
fairness and equality for all.
###
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: September 14, 2009
Trevor Thomas | Phone: 202/216.1547 | Cell: 202/250.9758
Jarrod Chlapowski | Phone: 202/772.3889 | Cell: 616/430.2030
La Campaña de Derechos Humanos (HRC) y “United Servicemembers “traen a la ciudad de Miami la
gira nacional para la eliminación de la política "No Pregunte, No Diga”
Gay, heterosexuales y lesbianas de las fuerzas armadas resaltan la campaña “Voces de Honor”: Una Generación bajo la
política de” No pregunte, No Diga”
MIAMI, FL– La Campaña de Derechos Humanos (HRC), la organización nacional más grande en los Estados Unidos que protejé los derechos
civiles de las lesbianas, gays, bisexuales y transexuales (LGBT) en asociación con United Servicemembers, la organización nacional de los
soldados gays, lesbianas, veteranos y sus aliados heterosexuales, visitó a la ciudad de Miami, FL como parte de la campaña "Voces de Honor:
Una Generación bajo la política de “No Pregunte, No Diga". La gira nacional destaca la ley discriminatoria que atenta contra la preparación
militar y la seguridad nacional y que pone en riesgo a los soldados américanos que luchan en el extranjero. La gira continuará con paradas en
Orlando, FL el 16 de septiembre y en Tampa, FL el 17 de septiembre. Para más información visite la página electrónica: www.hrc.
org/VoicesOfHonor.
"Esta gira se centra en las voces y las historias de soldados gays y lesbianas patrióticos que se ven forzados a darse de baja del servicio en
las fuerzas armadas simplemente por quiénes son," comentó Joe Solmonese, Presidente de la Campaña de Derechos Humanos (HRC).
"Encuesta tras encuesta, ha mostrado claramente que la gran mayoría de los norteamericanos, incluyendo la mayoría de los miembros activos
de las fuerzas armadas apoyan incondicionalmente el derecho de los gays y las lesbianas de servir abiertamente y libremente. Nosotros
debemos eliminar esta política discriminatoria y garantizar así que nuestro ejército puede reclutar y retener a los soldados más brillantes y los
más destacados independientemente de su orientación sexual”.
"No Pregunte, No Diga” es una política anticuada de una época del pasado" comentó Alex Nicholson, Director Ejecutivo de United
Servicemembers "Los hombres y mujeres en las fuerzas armadas modernas, tanto gays, como lesbianas y heterosexuales son todos muy
profesionales. United Servicemembers y HRC van a apoyar la gira “Voces de Honor” para mostrar al público estadounidense quienes son
realmente los soldados gay que sirven en las fuerzas armadas y que sus compañeros heterosexuales simplemente no les importa la
orientación sexual que tengan.
"No Pregunte, No Diga”' claramente no está trabajando para nuestro ejército y atenta contra la seguridad nacional y la preparación militar en un
momento que América está luchando en dos guerras una Irak y otra en Afganistán," comentó el Congresista Patrick Murphy, Demócrata de
Pennsylvania. "El tiempo que serví en Iraq me enseñó que nuestro ejército necesita a los soldados más brillantes y ٌmás destacados que estén
dispuestos a servir a nuestra nación y esto incluye a todos los ciudadanos, independientemente de su orientación sexual. Despedir del servicio
militar a soldados talentosos y valientes es contrario a los valores de nuestro ejército y de nuestra nación que tanto queremos".
El Representante Murphy, un veterano de la guerra de Irak y un ex paracaidista destacado del ejército de los Estados Unidos de la División 82
de Aerotransporte, asumió el liderazgo como patrocinador principal del proyecto de ley “Military Readiness Enhancement Act” (H.R. 1283), una
propuesta de ley que busca eliminar la política de "No Pregunte, No Diga". Después de más de 15 años, muchos ex miembros del Congreso
de los Estados Unidos y líderes militares de alto rango que participaron en la creación y la implementación de la ley de "No Pregunte, No Diga"
han pedido al Congreso que revisé la ley o que la eliminen, entre los muchos lideres distinguidos se encuentran el General John Shalikashvili,
General Colin Powell y el Ex Senador Nunn, demócrata de Georgia que presidió en el comité de la Fuerzas Armadas en el Senado.
Aprobada en 1993, la ley de "No pregunte, No Diga" permite el servicio de soldados bisexuales, gay y lesbianas en las fuerzas armadas,
siempre que su orientación sexual no se divulgué públicamente o sean descubiertos. Desde que se aprobó la ley en 1993 hasta el pasado
año 2008, más de 13,000 hombres y mujeres han sido dados de baja del servicio militar por su orientación sexual, incluyendo a más de 60
lingüistas árabes y más de 800 miembros que han participado en trabajos críticos en la fuerzas armadas.
"Voces de honor" cuenta con un diverso grupo de veteranos gays, lesbianas y heterosexuales que han servido en las fuerzas armadas bajo la
política discriminatoria de "No pregunte, No Diga". Para los perfiles de los veteranos, visite la página electrónica: http://www.hrc.
org/sites/voicesofhonor/about_vets.asp
The Human Rights Campaign is America’s largest civil rights organization working to achieve lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender equality. By
inspiring and engaging all Americans, HRC strives to end discrimination against LGBT citizens and realize a nation that achieves fundamental
fairness and equality for all.
###
Trevor Thomas | Phone: 202/216.1547 | Cell: 202/250.9758
Jarrod Chlapowski | Phone: 202/772.3889 | Cell: 616/430.2030
Human Rights Campaign, Servicemembers United Bring National Tour to Repeal “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell”
to Miami
Gay, lesbian, and straight service members highlight “Voices of Honor: A Generation Under ‘Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell’”
MIAMI, FL – The Human Rights Campaign, the nation’s largest lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) civil rights organization, in
partnership with Servicemembers United, the nation's largest organization of gay and lesbian troops and veterans and their straight allies, visited
Miami, FL today as part of “Voices of Honor: A Generation Under ‘Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell.’” The national tour highlights the discriminatory law that
hurts military readiness and national security while putting American soldiers fighting overseas at risk. The tour will continue with stops in
Orlando, FL on September 16, and in Tampa, FL on September 17. To learn more, visit: www.hrc.org/VoicesOfHonor.
“This tour focuses on the voices and stories of the qualified, patriotic gay and lesbian service members who are forced out of the U.S. Armed
Services simply because of who they are,” said Human Rights Campaign President Joe Solmonese. “Poll after poll continues to show the vast
majority of Americans, including the majority of active members of the Armed Services, support the right of gay and lesbian service members to
serve openly and honestly. We must repeal this discriminatory policy and ensure that our military can recruit and retain the best and the brightest
troops regardless of their sexual orientation.”
“‘Don't Ask, Don't Tell’ is an antiquated holdover from a previous era,” said Alex Nicholson, Executive Director of Servicemembers United. “The
men and women in the modern military, both gay, lesbian, and straight, are professionals. Servicemembers United and HRC are going on the
road with the ‘Voices of Honor’ tour to show the American public who gay service members really are, and that our fellow troops simply do not
care about sexual orientation anymore.”
“‘Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell’ clearly isn’t working for our military, and it hurts national security and military readiness at a time when America is fighting
in two wars in Iraq and Afghanistan,” said U.S. Rep. Patrick Murphy (D-PA). “My time in Iraq taught me that our military needs the best and the
brightest who are willing to serve- and that means all Americans, regardless of their orientation. Discharging brave and talented service
members from our armed forces is contrary to the values that our military fights for and that our nation holds dear.”
Rep. Murphy, an Iraq War veteran and a former paratrooper in the U.S. Army's elite 82nd Airborne Division, recently took over as the lead sponsor
of the Military Readiness Enhancement Act (H.R. 1283), the bill to repeal the “Don't Ask, Don't Tell” law. After more than 15 years, many former
congressional and senior military leaders who were involved in the construction and implementation of the “Don't Ask, Don't Tell” law have
recently called for the law to be reviewed or repealed, including former Joint Chiefs Chairmen Gen. John Shalikashvili and Gen. Colin Powell, and
former Senate Armed Services Committee Chairman Sen. Sam Nunn (D-GA).
Passed in 1993, the “Don't Ask, Don't Tell” law allows gay, lesbian and bisexual service personnel to serve in the armed forces as long as their
sexual orientation is not publicly disclosed or discovered. As of 2008, more than 13,000 men and women have been fired from the military
because of their sexual orientation, including more than 60 Arabic linguists and nearly 800 other service members in critical occupational fields.
“Voices of Honor” features a diverse group of gay, lesbian and straight veterans who have served under the military's “Don't Ask, Don't Tell” policy.
For veteran profiles, visit: http://www.hrc.org/sites/voicesofhonor/about_vets.asp
The Human Rights Campaign is America’s largest civil rights organization working to achieve lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender equality. By
inspiring and engaging all Americans, HRC strives to end discrimination against LGBT citizens and realize a nation that achieves fundamental
fairness and equality for all.
###
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: September 14, 2009
Trevor Thomas | Phone: 202/216.1547 | Cell: 202/250.9758
Jarrod Chlapowski | Phone: 202/772.3889 | Cell: 616/430.2030
La Campaña de Derechos Humanos (HRC) y “United Servicemembers “traen a la ciudad de Miami la
gira nacional para la eliminación de la política "No Pregunte, No Diga”
Gay, heterosexuales y lesbianas de las fuerzas armadas resaltan la campaña “Voces de Honor”: Una Generación bajo la
política de” No pregunte, No Diga”
MIAMI, FL– La Campaña de Derechos Humanos (HRC), la organización nacional más grande en los Estados Unidos que protejé los derechos
civiles de las lesbianas, gays, bisexuales y transexuales (LGBT) en asociación con United Servicemembers, la organización nacional de los
soldados gays, lesbianas, veteranos y sus aliados heterosexuales, visitó a la ciudad de Miami, FL como parte de la campaña "Voces de Honor:
Una Generación bajo la política de “No Pregunte, No Diga". La gira nacional destaca la ley discriminatoria que atenta contra la preparación
militar y la seguridad nacional y que pone en riesgo a los soldados américanos que luchan en el extranjero. La gira continuará con paradas en
Orlando, FL el 16 de septiembre y en Tampa, FL el 17 de septiembre. Para más información visite la página electrónica: www.hrc.
org/VoicesOfHonor.
"Esta gira se centra en las voces y las historias de soldados gays y lesbianas patrióticos que se ven forzados a darse de baja del servicio en
las fuerzas armadas simplemente por quiénes son," comentó Joe Solmonese, Presidente de la Campaña de Derechos Humanos (HRC).
"Encuesta tras encuesta, ha mostrado claramente que la gran mayoría de los norteamericanos, incluyendo la mayoría de los miembros activos
de las fuerzas armadas apoyan incondicionalmente el derecho de los gays y las lesbianas de servir abiertamente y libremente. Nosotros
debemos eliminar esta política discriminatoria y garantizar así que nuestro ejército puede reclutar y retener a los soldados más brillantes y los
más destacados independientemente de su orientación sexual”.
"No Pregunte, No Diga” es una política anticuada de una época del pasado" comentó Alex Nicholson, Director Ejecutivo de United
Servicemembers "Los hombres y mujeres en las fuerzas armadas modernas, tanto gays, como lesbianas y heterosexuales son todos muy
profesionales. United Servicemembers y HRC van a apoyar la gira “Voces de Honor” para mostrar al público estadounidense quienes son
realmente los soldados gay que sirven en las fuerzas armadas y que sus compañeros heterosexuales simplemente no les importa la
orientación sexual que tengan.
"No Pregunte, No Diga”' claramente no está trabajando para nuestro ejército y atenta contra la seguridad nacional y la preparación militar en un
momento que América está luchando en dos guerras una Irak y otra en Afganistán," comentó el Congresista Patrick Murphy, Demócrata de
Pennsylvania. "El tiempo que serví en Iraq me enseñó que nuestro ejército necesita a los soldados más brillantes y ٌmás destacados que estén
dispuestos a servir a nuestra nación y esto incluye a todos los ciudadanos, independientemente de su orientación sexual. Despedir del servicio
militar a soldados talentosos y valientes es contrario a los valores de nuestro ejército y de nuestra nación que tanto queremos".
El Representante Murphy, un veterano de la guerra de Irak y un ex paracaidista destacado del ejército de los Estados Unidos de la División 82
de Aerotransporte, asumió el liderazgo como patrocinador principal del proyecto de ley “Military Readiness Enhancement Act” (H.R. 1283), una
propuesta de ley que busca eliminar la política de "No Pregunte, No Diga". Después de más de 15 años, muchos ex miembros del Congreso
de los Estados Unidos y líderes militares de alto rango que participaron en la creación y la implementación de la ley de "No Pregunte, No Diga"
han pedido al Congreso que revisé la ley o que la eliminen, entre los muchos lideres distinguidos se encuentran el General John Shalikashvili,
General Colin Powell y el Ex Senador Nunn, demócrata de Georgia que presidió en el comité de la Fuerzas Armadas en el Senado.
Aprobada en 1993, la ley de "No pregunte, No Diga" permite el servicio de soldados bisexuales, gay y lesbianas en las fuerzas armadas,
siempre que su orientación sexual no se divulgué públicamente o sean descubiertos. Desde que se aprobó la ley en 1993 hasta el pasado
año 2008, más de 13,000 hombres y mujeres han sido dados de baja del servicio militar por su orientación sexual, incluyendo a más de 60
lingüistas árabes y más de 800 miembros que han participado en trabajos críticos en la fuerzas armadas.
"Voces de honor" cuenta con un diverso grupo de veteranos gays, lesbianas y heterosexuales que han servido en las fuerzas armadas bajo la
política discriminatoria de "No pregunte, No Diga". Para los perfiles de los veteranos, visite la página electrónica: http://www.hrc.
org/sites/voicesofhonor/about_vets.asp
The Human Rights Campaign is America’s largest civil rights organization working to achieve lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender equality. By
inspiring and engaging all Americans, HRC strives to end discrimination against LGBT citizens and realize a nation that achieves fundamental
fairness and equality for all.
###
| WALK With WALKER! - Volunteers Wanted Contact us today at info@unitycoalition.org and say... I WANT TO WALK WITH WALKER! CLICK HERE to CONTACT YOUR SENATORS TODAY! |
USMC Vet Walker Burttschell Marches to bring awareness to communities on
DADT and Meets with Government Leaders in D.C. to Ask for Repeal of
Discriminatory Law
WHAT | 250+ Mile Journey of Honor & Equality to Washington, D.C. USMC Vet
Marches to raise awareness within communities on “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell” (DADT)
and meets with government leaders in D.C. to ask for repeal of discriminatory
law.
WHEN | May 20-30, 2010
WHERE | Virginia Beach, VA to the White House & U.S Capitol in Washington D.C.
WHO |Walker Burttschell, USMC Vet & community leader on repeal DADT
Miami, FL – On May 2010, USMC Vet and advocate for repealing “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell” – Walker Burttschell
from Miami - sets off on a 250+ mile journey to Washington, DC on foot, beginning at U.S. Senator Jim
Webb’s office steps in Virginia. Senator Webb represents a key sub-committee vote needed for the repeal
of DADT.
His courageous journey, self described as a march for those who serve in silence, to Washington D.C., will
educate communities along the way about the discriminatory policy that limits the abilities of many
Americans to serve their country honestly and honorably. Once in D.C., Burttschell will meet with key
decision makers to make his plea for the repeal.
Passed in 1993, the 'Don't Ask, Don't Tell' law allows gay, lesbian, and bisexual service personnel to serve
in the armed forces as long as their sexual orientation is not publicly disclosed or discovered. As of 2008,
more than 13,000 men and women have been discharged from the military because of their sexual
orientation, including more than 60 Arabic linguists and nearly 800 other service members in critical
occupational fields.
Walker Burttschell is proudly sponsored by Unity Coalition|Coalicion Unida, SAVE Dade, HRC, AMBIENTE
Magazine, MYami Marketing, local elected officials, and manyother local & national groups & sponsors.
Media Contacts|Contactos: Vanessa Brito: 786.547.8084 Herb Sosa: 786.271.6982
DADT and Meets with Government Leaders in D.C. to Ask for Repeal of
Discriminatory Law
WHAT | 250+ Mile Journey of Honor & Equality to Washington, D.C. USMC Vet
Marches to raise awareness within communities on “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell” (DADT)
and meets with government leaders in D.C. to ask for repeal of discriminatory
law.
WHEN | May 20-30, 2010
WHERE | Virginia Beach, VA to the White House & U.S Capitol in Washington D.C.
WHO |Walker Burttschell, USMC Vet & community leader on repeal DADT
Miami, FL – On May 2010, USMC Vet and advocate for repealing “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell” – Walker Burttschell
from Miami - sets off on a 250+ mile journey to Washington, DC on foot, beginning at U.S. Senator Jim
Webb’s office steps in Virginia. Senator Webb represents a key sub-committee vote needed for the repeal
of DADT.
His courageous journey, self described as a march for those who serve in silence, to Washington D.C., will
educate communities along the way about the discriminatory policy that limits the abilities of many
Americans to serve their country honestly and honorably. Once in D.C., Burttschell will meet with key
decision makers to make his plea for the repeal.
Passed in 1993, the 'Don't Ask, Don't Tell' law allows gay, lesbian, and bisexual service personnel to serve
in the armed forces as long as their sexual orientation is not publicly disclosed or discovered. As of 2008,
more than 13,000 men and women have been discharged from the military because of their sexual
orientation, including more than 60 Arabic linguists and nearly 800 other service members in critical
occupational fields.
Walker Burttschell is proudly sponsored by Unity Coalition|Coalicion Unida, SAVE Dade, HRC, AMBIENTE
Magazine, MYami Marketing, local elected officials, and manyother local & national groups & sponsors.
Media Contacts|Contactos: Vanessa Brito: 786.547.8084 Herb Sosa: 786.271.6982
| URGE Fl. Senator Bill Nelson to REPEAL D.A.D.T. - NOW! Contact his office today: http://billnelson.senate.gov/ contact/email.cfm Miami-Dade Office: 2925 Salzedo St. Coral Gables, FL 33134 CALL: 305-536-5999 Fax: 305-536-5991 Washington, D.C. 716 Senate Hart Office Building Washington, DC 20510 CALL: 202-224-5274 Fax: 202-228-2183 |
| URGE Va. Senator Jim Webb to REPEAL D.A.D.T. - NOW! Contact his office today: http://webb.senate.gov/ contact.cfm Washington, D.C. 144 Russell Senate Office Building Washington, DC 20510 CALL: 202-224-4024 Fax: 202-228-6363 507 East Franklin Street Richmond, VA 23219 CALL: 804-771-2221 Fax: 804-771-8313 222 Central Park Avenue, Suite 120 Virginia Beach, VA 23462 CALL: 757-518-1674 Fax: 757-518-1679 |
| SPONSORED BY: |
Walking into Richmond, VA.
| DAILY UPDATE from WALKER | May 26, 2010... Been in Arlington since last night...check this video out..couldn't describe it any better... :) May 25, 2010...Tomorrow I finish my walk through Virginia and into DC. Below is the final schedule: Arrive at the Iwo Jima memorial at 9am. Leave for the US Capitol at 9:15am sharp. Press Conference at 11:30 at the Canon Office Bldg. May 24, 2010... Walker Burttschell is off to a drop off 100's of letters at Senator Webb's office in Richmond, press conference at 10am then back to my walk to DC with Larry Baxley . Confirmation will come later but it appears that we will rally at the Iwo Jima Memorial at 10am before ending our walk at the Capitol at 12pm on Wednesday, May 26th. If you would like to join the walk for the last 3 miles, please feel free to show up. May 24, 2010... Just called Senator Nelson and LeMieux's office in DC and asked that they support the repeal of Don't Ask Don't Tell this year. My birthday is tomorrow so my present should be 5 min of your time to call both of your Senators. Tell them to repeal Don't Ask Don't Tell this year! |
Congresswoman Ileana Ros-Lehtinen... Washington D.C.
FINAL VOTE RESULTS FOR ROLL CALL 317
(Democrats in roman; Republicans in italic; Independents underlined)
H R 5136 RECORDED VOTE 27-May-2010 10:07 PM
AUTHOR(S): Patrick Murphy of Pennsylvania Amendment No. 79
QUESTION: On Agreeing to the Amendment
(Democrats in roman; Republicans in italic; Independents underlined)
H R 5136 RECORDED VOTE 27-May-2010 10:07 PM
AUTHOR(S): Patrick Murphy of Pennsylvania Amendment No. 79
QUESTION: On Agreeing to the Amendment
Ackerman
Adler (NJ)
Altmire
Andrews
Arcuri
Baca
Baird
Baldwin
Barrow
Bean
Becerra
Berkley
Berman
Biggert
Bishop (NY)
Blumenauer
Boccieri
Bordallo
Boswell
Boyd
Brady (PA)
Braley (IA)
Brown, Corrine
Butterfield
Cao
Capps
Capuano
Cardoza
Carnahan
Carson (IN)
Castor (FL)
Chandler
Christensen
Chu
Clarke
Clay
Cleaver
Clyburn
Cohen
Connolly (VA)
Conyers
Cooper
Costa
Courtney
Crowley
Cuellar
Cummings
Dahlkemper
Davis (CA)
Davis (IL)
DeFazio
DeGette
Delahunt
DeLauro
Deutch
Dicks
Dingell
Djou
Doggett
Doyle
Driehaus
Edwards (MD)
Ellison
Ellsworth
Engel
Eshoo
Faleomavaega
Farr
Fattah
Filner
Foster
Frank (MA)
Fudge
Garamendi
Giffords
Gonzalez
Gordon (TN)
Grayson
Adler (NJ)
Altmire
Andrews
Arcuri
Baca
Baird
Baldwin
Barrow
Bean
Becerra
Berkley
Berman
Biggert
Bishop (NY)
Blumenauer
Boccieri
Bordallo
Boswell
Boyd
Brady (PA)
Braley (IA)
Brown, Corrine
Butterfield
Cao
Capps
Capuano
Cardoza
Carnahan
Carson (IN)
Castor (FL)
Chandler
Christensen
Chu
Clarke
Clay
Cleaver
Clyburn
Cohen
Connolly (VA)
Conyers
Cooper
Costa
Courtney
Crowley
Cuellar
Cummings
Dahlkemper
Davis (CA)
Davis (IL)
DeFazio
DeGette
Delahunt
DeLauro
Deutch
Dicks
Dingell
Djou
Doggett
Doyle
Driehaus
Edwards (MD)
Ellison
Ellsworth
Engel
Eshoo
Faleomavaega
Farr
Fattah
Filner
Foster
Frank (MA)
Fudge
Garamendi
Giffords
Gonzalez
Gordon (TN)
Grayson
Green, Al
Grijalva
Gutierrez
Hall (NY)
Halvorson
Hare
Harman
Heinrich
Herseth Sandlin
Higgins
Hill
Himes
Hinchey
Hinojosa
Hirono
Hodes
Holden
Holt
Honda
Hoyer
Inslee
Israel
Jackson (IL)
Jackson Lee (TX)
Johnson (GA)
Johnson, E. B.
Kagen
Kanjorski
Kaptur
Kennedy
Kildee
Kilpatrick (MI)
Kilroy
Kind
Kirkpatrick (AZ)
Kissell
Klein (FL)
Kosmas
Kratovil
Kucinich
Langevin
Larsen (WA)
Larson (CT)
Lee (CA)
Levin
Lewis (GA)
Loebsack
Lofgren, Zoe
Lowey
Luján
Lynch
Maffei
Maloney
Markey (CO)
Markey (MA)
Matheson
Matsui
McCarthy (NY)
McCollum
McDermott
McGovern
McMahon
McNerney
Meek (FL)
Meeks (NY)
Michaud
Miller (NC)
Miller, George
Minnick
Mitchell
Mollohan
Moore (KS)
Moore (WI)
Moran (VA)
Murphy (CT)
Murphy (NY)
Murphy, Patrick
Nadler (NY)
Grijalva
Gutierrez
Hall (NY)
Halvorson
Hare
Harman
Heinrich
Herseth Sandlin
Higgins
Hill
Himes
Hinchey
Hinojosa
Hirono
Hodes
Holden
Holt
Honda
Hoyer
Inslee
Israel
Jackson (IL)
Jackson Lee (TX)
Johnson (GA)
Johnson, E. B.
Kagen
Kanjorski
Kaptur
Kennedy
Kildee
Kilpatrick (MI)
Kilroy
Kind
Kirkpatrick (AZ)
Kissell
Klein (FL)
Kosmas
Kratovil
Kucinich
Langevin
Larsen (WA)
Larson (CT)
Lee (CA)
Levin
Lewis (GA)
Loebsack
Lofgren, Zoe
Lowey
Luján
Lynch
Maffei
Maloney
Markey (CO)
Markey (MA)
Matheson
Matsui
McCarthy (NY)
McCollum
McDermott
McGovern
McMahon
McNerney
Meek (FL)
Meeks (NY)
Michaud
Miller (NC)
Miller, George
Minnick
Mitchell
Mollohan
Moore (KS)
Moore (WI)
Moran (VA)
Murphy (CT)
Murphy (NY)
Murphy, Patrick
Nadler (NY)
Napolitano
Neal (MA)
Norton
Nye
Oberstar
Obey
Olver
Owens
Pallone
Pascrell
Pastor (AZ)
Paul
Payne
Pelosi
Perlmutter
Perriello
Peters
Pingree (ME)
Polis (CO)
Price (NC)
Quigley
Rangel
Reyes
Richardson
Rodriguez
Ros-Lehtinen
Rothman (NJ)
Roybal-Allard
Ruppersberger
Rush
Ryan (OH)
Salazar
Sánchez, Linda T.
Sanchez, Loretta
Sarbanes
Schakowsky
Schauer
Schiff
Schrader
Schwartz
Scott (GA)
Scott (VA)
Serrano
Sestak
Shea-Porter
Sherman
Sires
Slaughter
Smith (WA)
Snyder
Space
Speier
Stark
Stupak
Sutton
Teague
Thompson (CA)
Thompson (MS)
Tierney
Titus
Tonko
Towns
Tsongas
Van Hollen
Velázquez
Visclosky
Walz
Wasserman Schultz
Waters
Watson
Watt
Waxman
Weiner
Welch
Wilson (OH)
Woolsey
Wu
Yarmuth
Neal (MA)
Norton
Nye
Oberstar
Obey
Olver
Owens
Pallone
Pascrell
Pastor (AZ)
Paul
Payne
Pelosi
Perlmutter
Perriello
Peters
Pingree (ME)
Polis (CO)
Price (NC)
Quigley
Rangel
Reyes
Richardson
Rodriguez
Ros-Lehtinen
Rothman (NJ)
Roybal-Allard
Ruppersberger
Rush
Ryan (OH)
Salazar
Sánchez, Linda T.
Sanchez, Loretta
Sarbanes
Schakowsky
Schauer
Schiff
Schrader
Schwartz
Scott (GA)
Scott (VA)
Serrano
Sestak
Shea-Porter
Sherman
Sires
Slaughter
Smith (WA)
Snyder
Space
Speier
Stark
Stupak
Sutton
Teague
Thompson (CA)
Thompson (MS)
Tierney
Titus
Tonko
Towns
Tsongas
Van Hollen
Velázquez
Visclosky
Walz
Wasserman Schultz
Waters
Watson
Watt
Waxman
Weiner
Welch
Wilson (OH)
Woolsey
Wu
Yarmuth
| AYES 234 |
Aderholt
Akin
Alexander
Austria
Bachmann
Bachus
Barrett (SC)
Bartlett
Barton (TX)
Berry
Bilbray
Bilirakis
Bishop (GA)
Bishop (UT)
Blackburn
Blunt
Boehner
Bonner
Bono Mack
Boozman
Boucher
Boustany
Brady (TX)
Bright
Broun (GA)
Brown (SC)
Buchanan
Burgess
Burton (IN)
Buyer
Calvert
Camp
Campbell
Cantor
Capito
Carney
Carter
Cassidy
Castle
Chaffetz
Childers
Coble
Coffman (CO)
Cole
Conaway
Costello
Crenshaw
Critz
Culberson
Davis (TN)
Dent
Diaz-Balart, L.
Diaz-Balart, M.
Donnelly (IN)
Dreier
Duncan
Edwards (TX)
Ehlers
Emerson
Etheridge
Fallin
Flake
Fleming
Forbes
Fortenberry
Akin
Alexander
Austria
Bachmann
Bachus
Barrett (SC)
Bartlett
Barton (TX)
Berry
Bilbray
Bilirakis
Bishop (GA)
Bishop (UT)
Blackburn
Blunt
Boehner
Bonner
Bono Mack
Boozman
Boucher
Boustany
Brady (TX)
Bright
Broun (GA)
Brown (SC)
Buchanan
Burgess
Burton (IN)
Buyer
Calvert
Camp
Campbell
Cantor
Capito
Carney
Carter
Cassidy
Castle
Chaffetz
Childers
Coble
Coffman (CO)
Cole
Conaway
Costello
Crenshaw
Critz
Culberson
Davis (TN)
Dent
Diaz-Balart, L.
Diaz-Balart, M.
Donnelly (IN)
Dreier
Duncan
Edwards (TX)
Ehlers
Emerson
Etheridge
Fallin
Flake
Fleming
Forbes
Fortenberry
Foxx
Franks (AZ)
Frelinghuysen
Gallegly
Garrett (NJ)
Gerlach
Gingrey (GA)
Gohmert
Goodlatte
Granger
Green, Gene
Griffith
Guthrie
Hall (TX)
Harper
Hastings (WA)
Heller
Hensarling
Herger
Hoekstra
Hunter
Inglis
Issa
Jenkins
Johnson (IL)
Johnson, Sam
Jones
Jordan (OH)
King (IA)
King (NY)
Kingston
Kirk
Kline (MN)
Lamborn
Lance
Latham
LaTourette
Latta
Lee (NY)
Lewis (CA)
Linder
Lipinski
LoBiondo
Lucas
Luetkemeyer
Lummis
Lungren, Daniel E.
Mack
Manzullo
Marchant
Marshall
McCarthy (CA)
McCaul
McClintock
McCotter
McHenry
McIntyre
McKeon
McMorris Rodgers
Mica
Miller (FL)
Miller (MI)
Miller, Gary
Moran (KS)
Murphy, Tim
Franks (AZ)
Frelinghuysen
Gallegly
Garrett (NJ)
Gerlach
Gingrey (GA)
Gohmert
Goodlatte
Granger
Green, Gene
Griffith
Guthrie
Hall (TX)
Harper
Hastings (WA)
Heller
Hensarling
Herger
Hoekstra
Hunter
Inglis
Issa
Jenkins
Johnson (IL)
Johnson, Sam
Jones
Jordan (OH)
King (IA)
King (NY)
Kingston
Kirk
Kline (MN)
Lamborn
Lance
Latham
LaTourette
Latta
Lee (NY)
Lewis (CA)
Linder
Lipinski
LoBiondo
Lucas
Luetkemeyer
Lummis
Lungren, Daniel E.
Mack
Manzullo
Marchant
Marshall
McCarthy (CA)
McCaul
McClintock
McCotter
McHenry
McIntyre
McKeon
McMorris Rodgers
Mica
Miller (FL)
Miller (MI)
Miller, Gary
Moran (KS)
Murphy, Tim
Myrick
Neugebauer
Nunes
Olson
Ortiz
Paulsen
Pence
Peterson
Petri
Pitts
Platts
Poe (TX)
Pomeroy
Posey
Price (GA)
Putnam
Radanovich
Rahall
Rehberg
Reichert
Roe (TN)
Rogers (AL)
Rogers (KY)
Rogers (MI)
Rohrabacher
Rooney
Roskam
Ross
Royce
Scalise
Schmidt
Schock
Sensenbrenner
Sessions
Shadegg
Shimkus
Shuler
Shuster
Simpson
Skelton
Smith (NE)
Smith (NJ)
Smith (TX)
Spratt
Stearns
Sullivan
Tanner
Taylor
Terry
Thompson (PA)
Thornberry
Tiahrt
Tiberi
Turner
Upton
Walden
Wamp
Westmoreland
Whitfield
Wilson (SC)
Wittman
Wolf
Young (AK)
Young (FL)
Neugebauer
Nunes
Olson
Ortiz
Paulsen
Pence
Peterson
Petri
Pitts
Platts
Poe (TX)
Pomeroy
Posey
Price (GA)
Putnam
Radanovich
Rahall
Rehberg
Reichert
Roe (TN)
Rogers (AL)
Rogers (KY)
Rogers (MI)
Rohrabacher
Rooney
Roskam
Ross
Royce
Scalise
Schmidt
Schock
Sensenbrenner
Sessions
Shadegg
Shimkus
Shuler
Shuster
Simpson
Skelton
Smith (NE)
Smith (NJ)
Smith (TX)
Spratt
Stearns
Sullivan
Tanner
Taylor
Terry
Thompson (PA)
Thornberry
Tiahrt
Tiberi
Turner
Upton
Walden
Wamp
Westmoreland
Whitfield
Wilson (SC)
Wittman
Wolf
Young (AK)
Young (FL)
| NOES 194 |
| NOES 194 |
Boren
Brown-Waite, Ginny
Davis (AL)
Davis (KY)
Brown-Waite, Ginny
Davis (AL)
Davis (KY)
Graves
Hastings (FL)
Melancon
Pierluisi
Hastings (FL)
Melancon
Pierluisi
Ryan (WI)
Sablan
Sablan
Ayes Noes PRES NV
Democratic 229 26 6
Republican 5 168 4
TOTALS 234 194 10
Democratic 229 26 6
Republican 5 168 4
TOTALS 234 194 10
Frontlines Feed: The latest on repealing "Don't ask, Don't tell"
Maine senators key to Don't Ask vote
Pro-repeal activists say they don't have enough votes yet.
Walker Burttschell: A Catholic Face of Don't Ask Don't Tell
DOJ to Judge: Keep Enforcing DADT
Maine senators key to Don't Ask vote
Pro-repeal activists say they don't have enough votes yet.
Walker Burttschell: A Catholic Face of Don't Ask Don't Tell
DOJ to Judge: Keep Enforcing DADT
LATESTNEWSON
DADT
DADT
President Obama on REPEAL of DADT
December 18, 2010...Washington D.C. - Moments ago, the
Senate voted to end "Don't Ask, Don't Tell."
When that bill reaches my desk, I will sign it, and this
discriminatory law will be repealed. Gay and lesbian service
members -- brave Americans who enable our freedoms -- will no
longer have to hide who they are. The fight for civil rights, a
struggle that continues, will no longer include this one. This
victory belongs to you. Without your commitment, the promise
I made as a candidate would have remained just that.
Instead, you helped prove again that no one should
underestimate this movement. Every phone call to a senator on
the fence, every letter to the editor in a local paper, and every
message in a congressional inbox makes it clear to those who
would stand in the way of justice: We will not quit.
This victory also belongs to Senator Harry Reid, Speaker Nancy Pelosi, and our many allies in Congress who refused to let politics get in the way
of what was right. Like you, they never gave up, and I want them to know how grateful we are for that commitment.
As Commander in Chief, I fought to repeal "Don't Ask, Don't Tell" because it weakens our national security and military readiness. It violates the
fundamental American principles of equality and fairness.
But this victory is also personal. I will never know what it feels like to be discriminated against because of my sexual orientation. But I know my
story would not be possible without the sacrifice and struggle of those who came before me -- many I will never meet, and can never thank.
I know this repeal is a crucial step for civil rights, and that it strengthens our military and national security. I know it is the right thing to do.
But the rightness of our cause does not guarantee success, and today, celebration of this historic step forward is tempered by the defeat of
another -- the DREAM Act. I am incredibly disappointed that a minority of senators refused to move forward on this important, commonsense
reform that most Americans understand is the right thing for our country. On this issue, our work must continue.
Today, I'm proud that we took these fights on.
Thank you,
Barack
The White House, in issuing a statement in support of the repeal, stressed that the change would go into effect only after the
president, the secretary of Defense and the chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff certify that implementation is consistent with
military readiness, recruiting and retention and unit cohesion.
The House last May voted 234-194 in favor of repeal legislation as part of a larger defense bill. The measure has stalled twice
in the Senate, where Republicans have objected to taking up the defense bill laded with contentious issues, including "don't
ask, don't tell."
What Is "Don't Ask, Don't Tell?"
• Passed by Congress in 1993, DADT is a law mandating the discharge of openly gay, lesbian, or bisexual service members.
• More than 14,000 service members have been fired under the law since 1993.
Movement To End Ban
• President Obama said, “I will end ‘Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell.’”
• Admiral Michael Mullen, Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, and Robert Gates, Secretary of Defense, told the Senate Armed Services
Committee (SASC) on Dec. 2, 2010, they want repeal to happen this year.
• By a vote of 234 to 194, the House of Representatives adopted an amendment to the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) that could
lead to the repeal of DADT in early 2011.
• The Senate Armed Services Committee added an identical provision in the bill it reported to the Senate the same day.
• Senator John McCain (R-AZ) filibustered the entire NDAA, which includes DADT repeal, on Sept. 21, 2010.
• Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid (Nov. 18, 2010): “During the work period following the Thanksgiving holidays, I will bring the Defense
Authorization bill to the floor, including a repeal of ‘Don’t Ask Don’t Tell.’”
• Senator Joe Lieberman announced on Dec. 6, 2010, that the Senate should stay in session until the NDAA is passed.
Growing Military Support for Repeal of "Don't Ask, Don't Tell"
• Admiral Mullen: “My personal opinion is now my professional view, that this is a policy change that we can make in a relatively low-risk
fashion ... given time and strong leadership.”
• When asked about serving in a unit with a gay co-worker, the Pentagon’s Comprehensive Review Working Group (CRWG) reported that 92
percent of service members believe the unit’s “ability to work together” was “very good,” “good,” or “neither good nor poor.”
• The CRWG Report also revealed that the younger generation of service members, those who fight America’s 21st century wars, largely don’t
care about sexual orientation and understand it has nothing to do with job performance.
• The same report found “the risk of repeal of don’t ask, don’t tell to overall military effectiveness is low.”
• As part of the CRWG, the RAND Corp. updated its 1993 study, which concluded that openly gay people in the U.S. military do not negatively
impact unit cohesion, morale, good order or military readiness.
• Several other military-commissioned and GAO studies have concluded that open service does not undermine military readiness, troop
morale or national security.
• Every service chief said he will be able to implement repeal if passed by Congress this year.
• U.S. Marine Corps Commandant Gen. James Amos: “At the end of the day, we are Marines — should Congress change the law, then our
nation’s Marine Corps will faithfully support the law. … I promise you I will follow the law.”
• Former Chairman John Shalikashvili agrees. Gen. Colin Powell and former Vice President Richard Cheney say it’s time to re-examine this
law.
• A recent article in Joint Force Quarterly concludes, “after a careful examination, there is no scientific evidence to support the claim that unit
cohesion will be negatively affected if homosexuals serve openly.”
Growing Public Support to End "Don't Ask, Don't Tell"
• A growing majority of Americans – 72 percent – support repeal, according to CNN’s latest poll Nov. 17, 2010, up from 67 percent in
September.
• Majorities of weekly churchgoers (60 percent) and conservatives (58 percent) also want DADT repealed (Gallup, 2009).
"Don't Ask, Don't Tell" Hurts Military Readiness.
• The U.S. must recruit and retain the greatest number of the best and brightest - especially while we are fighting wars in Iraq and Afghanistan.
• The Pentagon reports that 75 percent of young Americans are ineligible to serve in our military because of inadequate education, criminal
records or weight problems. Conduct waivers have been given for recruits with records of bomb threats, sex crimes and negligent or vehicular
homicide. And yet, qualified, smart, law-abiding and fit youths who want to serve are being excluded merely because of their sexual orientation.
• According to the GAO, as of 2003, the military had discharged more than 750 mission-critical service members and more than 320 with skills
in important languages such as Arabic, Korean and Farsi (GAO, Military Personnel: Financial Costs and Loss of Critical Skills Due to DOD’s
Homosexual Conduct Policy Cannot Be Completely Estimated).
America's Allies Support Open Military Service.
• Thirty-five countries, according to the Pentagon study’s findings, allow gays to serve openly. The U.S. and Turkey are the only two original
NATO countries that still have bans in place.
• Studies of the militaries in Australia, Israel, Great Britain and Canada have shown open service to have no adverse effect on enrollment or
retention.
"Don't Ask, Don't Tell" is Expensive.
• The same GAO study identified almost $200 million in costs for the first ten years of “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell,” while concluding that the total
costs could not be estimated.
• A follow-up study by an expert commission put these costs at more than $363 million.
LGBT Patriots Are Serving with Honor and Distinction Now.
• Today, there are at least 66,000 gay Americans serving on active duty and one million gay veterans in the United States, according to the
Williams Institute at UCLA.
• Admiral Mullen told the Senate Armed Services Committee that he had served with gays since 1968.
Federal Government Agencies Do Not Discriminate.
• The CIA, FBI, State Department, the Defense Department on the civilian side, and defense contractors do not discriminate based on sexual
orientation.
December 18, 2010...Washington D.C. - Moments ago, the
Senate voted to end "Don't Ask, Don't Tell."
When that bill reaches my desk, I will sign it, and this
discriminatory law will be repealed. Gay and lesbian service
members -- brave Americans who enable our freedoms -- will no
longer have to hide who they are. The fight for civil rights, a
struggle that continues, will no longer include this one. This
victory belongs to you. Without your commitment, the promise
I made as a candidate would have remained just that.
Instead, you helped prove again that no one should
underestimate this movement. Every phone call to a senator on
the fence, every letter to the editor in a local paper, and every
message in a congressional inbox makes it clear to those who
would stand in the way of justice: We will not quit.
This victory also belongs to Senator Harry Reid, Speaker Nancy Pelosi, and our many allies in Congress who refused to let politics get in the way
of what was right. Like you, they never gave up, and I want them to know how grateful we are for that commitment.
As Commander in Chief, I fought to repeal "Don't Ask, Don't Tell" because it weakens our national security and military readiness. It violates the
fundamental American principles of equality and fairness.
But this victory is also personal. I will never know what it feels like to be discriminated against because of my sexual orientation. But I know my
story would not be possible without the sacrifice and struggle of those who came before me -- many I will never meet, and can never thank.
I know this repeal is a crucial step for civil rights, and that it strengthens our military and national security. I know it is the right thing to do.
But the rightness of our cause does not guarantee success, and today, celebration of this historic step forward is tempered by the defeat of
another -- the DREAM Act. I am incredibly disappointed that a minority of senators refused to move forward on this important, commonsense
reform that most Americans understand is the right thing for our country. On this issue, our work must continue.
Today, I'm proud that we took these fights on.
Thank you,
Barack
The White House, in issuing a statement in support of the repeal, stressed that the change would go into effect only after the
president, the secretary of Defense and the chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff certify that implementation is consistent with
military readiness, recruiting and retention and unit cohesion.
The House last May voted 234-194 in favor of repeal legislation as part of a larger defense bill. The measure has stalled twice
in the Senate, where Republicans have objected to taking up the defense bill laded with contentious issues, including "don't
ask, don't tell."
What Is "Don't Ask, Don't Tell?"
• Passed by Congress in 1993, DADT is a law mandating the discharge of openly gay, lesbian, or bisexual service members.
• More than 14,000 service members have been fired under the law since 1993.
Movement To End Ban
• President Obama said, “I will end ‘Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell.’”
• Admiral Michael Mullen, Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, and Robert Gates, Secretary of Defense, told the Senate Armed Services
Committee (SASC) on Dec. 2, 2010, they want repeal to happen this year.
• By a vote of 234 to 194, the House of Representatives adopted an amendment to the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) that could
lead to the repeal of DADT in early 2011.
• The Senate Armed Services Committee added an identical provision in the bill it reported to the Senate the same day.
• Senator John McCain (R-AZ) filibustered the entire NDAA, which includes DADT repeal, on Sept. 21, 2010.
• Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid (Nov. 18, 2010): “During the work period following the Thanksgiving holidays, I will bring the Defense
Authorization bill to the floor, including a repeal of ‘Don’t Ask Don’t Tell.’”
• Senator Joe Lieberman announced on Dec. 6, 2010, that the Senate should stay in session until the NDAA is passed.
Growing Military Support for Repeal of "Don't Ask, Don't Tell"
• Admiral Mullen: “My personal opinion is now my professional view, that this is a policy change that we can make in a relatively low-risk
fashion ... given time and strong leadership.”
• When asked about serving in a unit with a gay co-worker, the Pentagon’s Comprehensive Review Working Group (CRWG) reported that 92
percent of service members believe the unit’s “ability to work together” was “very good,” “good,” or “neither good nor poor.”
• The CRWG Report also revealed that the younger generation of service members, those who fight America’s 21st century wars, largely don’t
care about sexual orientation and understand it has nothing to do with job performance.
• The same report found “the risk of repeal of don’t ask, don’t tell to overall military effectiveness is low.”
• As part of the CRWG, the RAND Corp. updated its 1993 study, which concluded that openly gay people in the U.S. military do not negatively
impact unit cohesion, morale, good order or military readiness.
• Several other military-commissioned and GAO studies have concluded that open service does not undermine military readiness, troop
morale or national security.
• Every service chief said he will be able to implement repeal if passed by Congress this year.
• U.S. Marine Corps Commandant Gen. James Amos: “At the end of the day, we are Marines — should Congress change the law, then our
nation’s Marine Corps will faithfully support the law. … I promise you I will follow the law.”
• Former Chairman John Shalikashvili agrees. Gen. Colin Powell and former Vice President Richard Cheney say it’s time to re-examine this
law.
• A recent article in Joint Force Quarterly concludes, “after a careful examination, there is no scientific evidence to support the claim that unit
cohesion will be negatively affected if homosexuals serve openly.”
Growing Public Support to End "Don't Ask, Don't Tell"
• A growing majority of Americans – 72 percent – support repeal, according to CNN’s latest poll Nov. 17, 2010, up from 67 percent in
September.
• Majorities of weekly churchgoers (60 percent) and conservatives (58 percent) also want DADT repealed (Gallup, 2009).
"Don't Ask, Don't Tell" Hurts Military Readiness.
• The U.S. must recruit and retain the greatest number of the best and brightest - especially while we are fighting wars in Iraq and Afghanistan.
• The Pentagon reports that 75 percent of young Americans are ineligible to serve in our military because of inadequate education, criminal
records or weight problems. Conduct waivers have been given for recruits with records of bomb threats, sex crimes and negligent or vehicular
homicide. And yet, qualified, smart, law-abiding and fit youths who want to serve are being excluded merely because of their sexual orientation.
• According to the GAO, as of 2003, the military had discharged more than 750 mission-critical service members and more than 320 with skills
in important languages such as Arabic, Korean and Farsi (GAO, Military Personnel: Financial Costs and Loss of Critical Skills Due to DOD’s
Homosexual Conduct Policy Cannot Be Completely Estimated).
America's Allies Support Open Military Service.
• Thirty-five countries, according to the Pentagon study’s findings, allow gays to serve openly. The U.S. and Turkey are the only two original
NATO countries that still have bans in place.
• Studies of the militaries in Australia, Israel, Great Britain and Canada have shown open service to have no adverse effect on enrollment or
retention.
"Don't Ask, Don't Tell" is Expensive.
• The same GAO study identified almost $200 million in costs for the first ten years of “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell,” while concluding that the total
costs could not be estimated.
• A follow-up study by an expert commission put these costs at more than $363 million.
LGBT Patriots Are Serving with Honor and Distinction Now.
• Today, there are at least 66,000 gay Americans serving on active duty and one million gay veterans in the United States, according to the
Williams Institute at UCLA.
• Admiral Mullen told the Senate Armed Services Committee that he had served with gays since 1968.
Federal Government Agencies Do Not Discriminate.
• The CIA, FBI, State Department, the Defense Department on the civilian side, and defense contractors do not discriminate based on sexual
orientation.
December 15, 2010
On behalf of the Unity Coalition|Coalicion Unida, offering Leadership,
Protection & Promotion of Latino|Hispanic LGBT rights (lesbian, gay,
bisexual, transgender), the only organization of its kind in South
Florida since 2002, we say THANK YOU Congresswoman Ileana
Ros-Lehtinen (R-Fl) and Congressman Lincoln Diaz-Balart ((R-FL) for
your votes to REPEAL DADT. Over 14,000 men & women in our armed
forces have been negatively affected by this discriminatory law, and
thanks to your strong, consistent & understanding position and vote,
we are one step closer in this great country to having it be an
unfortunate thing of the past.
We look forward to working with you & your office on many more
issues of common concern to reach full equality for ALL AMERICANS.
Respectfully,
Unity Coalition|Coalicion Unida
On behalf of the Unity Coalition|Coalicion Unida, offering Leadership,
Protection & Promotion of Latino|Hispanic LGBT rights (lesbian, gay,
bisexual, transgender), the only organization of its kind in South
Florida since 2002, we say THANK YOU Congresswoman Ileana
Ros-Lehtinen (R-Fl) and Congressman Lincoln Diaz-Balart ((R-FL) for
your votes to REPEAL DADT. Over 14,000 men & women in our armed
forces have been negatively affected by this discriminatory law, and
thanks to your strong, consistent & understanding position and vote,
we are one step closer in this great country to having it be an
unfortunate thing of the past.
We look forward to working with you & your office on many more
issues of common concern to reach full equality for ALL AMERICANS.
Respectfully,
Unity Coalition|Coalicion Unida
Congresswoman Ileana Ros-Lehtinen met in Washington, DC with USMC
veteran Walker Burttschell after the repeal of DADT. Ileana has been an
avid supporter of repealing DADT and is very pleased with the results of
years of hard work on behalf of equality for all Americans. Ileana thanked
Walker for his hard work on behalf of repeal and she issued the following
statement:
"The repeal of the failed policy of 'Don't ask, Don't tell' is both common
sense and historical. It made no sense to kick skilled patriots out of military
service for their sexual orientation. The new law is a huge civil liberties win
because it correctly closes out a discriminatory practice. I congratulate the
many grass roots activists and especially the courageous vets for making
this dream a reality."
photo courtesy of Sergio Bueno of the D.C. staff
veteran Walker Burttschell after the repeal of DADT. Ileana has been an
avid supporter of repealing DADT and is very pleased with the results of
years of hard work on behalf of equality for all Americans. Ileana thanked
Walker for his hard work on behalf of repeal and she issued the following
statement:
"The repeal of the failed policy of 'Don't ask, Don't tell' is both common
sense and historical. It made no sense to kick skilled patriots out of military
service for their sexual orientation. The new law is a huge civil liberties win
because it correctly closes out a discriminatory practice. I congratulate the
many grass roots activists and especially the courageous vets for making
this dream a reality."
photo courtesy of Sergio Bueno of the D.C. staff
