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SLDN Pushes Out Coalition Letter Opposing “Don’t Ask” Amendments to Defense Bill
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: May 11, 2011
Zeke Stokes: (803) 479-0439 (cell) / (202) 621-5406 (office) or zeke@sldn.org
Paul DeMiglio: (202) 621-5408 (office) or paul@sldn.org
SLDN Pushes Out Coalition Letter Opposing “Don’t Ask” Amendments to Defense Bill
U.S. House Members Urged To Stand Strong for Prompt Certification, Smooth Transition to Open Service
(Washington, D.C.) Servicemembers Legal Defense Network (SLDN) today released a letter sent to the full U.S. House of Representatives and signed 85 organizations, urging members to oppose any and all harmful and unnecessary amendments that have been offered to the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) for Fiscal Year 2012, put forth by repeal opponents seeking to delay and derail “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell” (DADT) repeal implementation.
“It would be extraordinary for a new Congress to immediately overturn the military personnel policy decisions of the preceding Congress. We would interpret such a vote as an endorsement of discrimination against some of our service members who risk their lives to ably defend our nation and its Constitution. Such a vote would also evince enormous disrespect for the thoughtful processes used by our most senior military leaders to implement a congressionally authorized policy change,” the coalition wrote in the letter.
“Last year, more than 310 members of Congress, Democrats and Republicans alike, gave the U.S. military its marching orders. As we knew it would, the military has followed these orders and has been marching smartly toward repeal. We urge members to stand strong for prompt certification along with a smooth transition toward open service,” the letter states.
Signatories represent a diverse cross-section of Americans from all walks of life and all points on the political spectrum. They include the Human Rights Campaign, Center for American Progress, Log Cabin Republicans, Young Democrats of America, National Council of Jewish Women, PFLAG, and VETPAC.
To view the full list of signatories and the text of the letter, click here.
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STILL AT RISK: Despite the President signing the bill authorizing repeal of DADT, it is still unsafe for service members to come out until 60 days after certification by President Obama, Secretary Gates, and Admiral Mullen. Warning to service members: www.SLDN.org/StillAtRisk
SLDN FREE HOTLINE: Lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender service members with questions are urged to contact the SLDN hotline to speak with a staff attorney: 202-328-3244 x100.
ABOUT SLDN: Servicemembers Legal Defense Network (SLDN) was established in 1993 when “Don’t Ask” originally passed. In addition to working on repeal, SLDN offers free, confidential legal services to those impacted by the discriminatory law. Last year the organization received its 10,000th call for assistance to its legal hotline.
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