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Los Angeles City Council Calls for Repeal of “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell”
LOS ANGELES, CA - In unanimous vote, the Los Angeles City Council passed a resolution on November 7th calling on Congress to repeal the federal �Don�t Ask, Don�t Tell� ban on lesbian, gay and bisexual service members. The resolution, which calls for passage of the Military Readiness Enhancement Act, a Congressional bill to repeal the law, was introduced by City Council member Bill Rosendahl.
�Communities across America are demanding that Congress place military readiness ahead of discrimination,� said Former Marine Captain Tom Carpenter, board member for Servicemembers Legal Defense Network (SLDN) a national, non-profit legal services, watchdog and policy organization dedicated to ending discrimination against military personnel affected by "Don't Ask, Don't Tell." �SLDN salutes the Los Angeles City Council and Councilman Bill Rosendahl for their tireless efforts in building grassroots momentum for repeal. This vote, on the eve of the Veterans Day weekend, is a reminder to us all that we must treat all service members with honor and that by keeping the 'Don't Ask, Don't Tell' law in place, we deny our lesbian, gay and bisexual personnel the dignity and respect they have earned.�
The Los Angeles City Council joins city councils in Atlanta, Chicago, New York, San Francisco, St. Louis, Tucson, West Hollywood, CA, and Cathedral City, CA, in calling for repeal of "Don�t Ask, Don�t Tell." The California State Legislature also recently approved a resolution calling for an end to the ban.
"'Don�t Ask, Don�t Tell' is an unreasonable and unnecessary law that compromises our national security interests,� said Former Marine Corps Captain Julianne Sohn, a veteran of the Iraq War and current Los Angeles Police Department officer. �We want to thank Council member Bill Rosendahl for his leadership on this issue and are proud of the City Council for adding their voices to the growing demand to end this discriminatory policy."
The resolution will be sent to Los Angeles Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa for his signature.
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