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Former Republican Senator Alan Simpson Endorses Repeal of ‘Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell’

WASHINGTON, DC – Former Senator Alan K. Simpson (R-WY) writes in this morning’s Washington Post that he now supports repealing the military’s “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell” ban on lesbian, gay and bisexual personnel. Simpson, who supported the law in 1993, writes in an op-ed that “I believe it is critical that we review – and overturn – the ban on gay service members in the military. I voted for ‘don’t ask, don’t tell.’ But much has changed since 1993.”

Simpson cites evolving views on lesbian and gay issues; the experience of allied militaries in accepting openly gay troops; and the military’s need for personnel as key arguments in support of repealing the law.

Simpson writes that his thinking shifted on the issue in light of the military’s dismissal of lesbian and gay linguists. “Is there a ‘straight’ way to translate Arabic?,” he writes. “Is there a ‘gay’ Farsi? My God, we’d better start talking sense before it is too late. We need every able-bodied, smart patriot to help us win this war.” He goes on to conclude that “This policy has become a serious detriment to the readiness of America’s forces as they attempt to accomplish what is arguably the most challenging mission in our long and
cherished history.”

“Senator Simpson’s statement holds true to the traditional, conservative values of a strong national defense and a limited government,” said C. Dixon Osburn, executive director of Servicemembers Legal Defense Network (SLDN). “Repeal of ‘Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell’ is neither a Republican nor a Democratic issue, but an issue of national security and military readiness. As an Army veteran and the former Chairman of the Senate Veterans Affairs Committee, Senator Simpson knows a thing or two about the armed forces. SLDN applauds the Senator for his important statement and his commitment to our military. It is time to lift the ban.”

Simpson’s op-ed follows statements on Monday evening by General Peter Pace, Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, referring to lesbian and gay service personnel as ‘immoral.’ Simpson points out in his article that Alan Turing, a World War II mathematician who cracked the Nazi’s communication code, was gay. “Would Pace call Turing ‘immoral’?,” Simpson asks.

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