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Metropolitan Community Churches Call For Repeal of “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell”
WASHINGTON, DC - Declaring that �The very forces mobilized not only to defend our country but to establish freedom and justice for all should no longer be allowed to provide refuge for bias, bigotry and injustice,� Rev. Elder Nancy L. Wilson, moderator of Metropolitan Community Churches (MCC), has called for repeal of the military�s �Don�t Ask, Don�t Tell� ban on lesbian, gay and bisexual personnel. MCC is an LGBT-inclusive community of faith with more than 300 churches and 43,000 members around the world.
This policy has caused great harm to lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender military personnel, resulted in the unjust dismissal of thousands of service members, and failed to achieve its intended goals,� Wilson said in a statement issued on September 4. �We cannot hope to be instruments of peace on earth if we fail to live peacefully among ourselves, within our own nation�s borders and within the ranks of our own military personnel. . . . �Don�t Ask, Don�t Tell� should be repealed now; freedom of service should become a reality in the U.S. military now.�
The MCC joins other communities of faith in opposing the military�s ban, including the Unitarian Universalist Association of Congregations, which called for repeal of the law in July.
�Communities of faith are standing up against discrimination in our armed forces,� said Sharra E. Greer, director of law and policy for Servicemembers Legal Defense Network (SLDN). �The MCC has a long history of working for justice and equal opportunity for all people, and they are a welcome voice in the growing coalition working to lift the ban. Their membership, which includes military chaplains and a strong contingency of activists around the world, will be immeasurably important in toppling �Don�t Ask, Don�t Tell.��
The Rev. Dr. Sandra L. Bochonok, an MCC clergyperson and former Navy Chaplain, said in the MCC statement that, �I long for the day when the United States of America will allow citizens to serve openly. I pray for the day when �Don�t Ask, Don�t Tell� is lifted forever.�
The MCC statement calls upon �leaders at all levels of government to support the repeal of �Don't Ask, Don't Tell� and to implement public policies of non-discrimination with regard to sexual orientation and gender identity.�
For more information on the Metropolitan Community Churches, visit www.MCCchurch.org.
