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SLDN Reaction to President’s Speech Tonight

We were heartened to hear the President say, 'I will end Don't Ask, Don't Tell.' But an opportunity was missed tonight. SLDN was disappointed the President did not lay out a timeline and specifics for repeal. The 65,000 gay and lesbian service members - who put their lives on the line and who remain impatient with the pace of progress - deserve to know when their commander in chief and Congress plan on getting rid of this law. The President laid the core foundation of the argument for full citizenship and participation in the American dream for all, including our service members. But when does he call upon Congress to send him a repeal bill that he can sign in 2010? The machinery of Congress and the Obama Administration including Secretary Gates and the Department of Defense must come together before the Senate "Don't Ask, Don't Tell" hearing takes place this fall.

-Aubrey Sarvis, executive director, Servicemembers Legal Defense Network

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