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 Congressional Support For Repeal Of Gay
Military Ban At All-Time High
by 365Gay.com Newscenter Staff
Posted: August 6, 2007 - 1:00 pm ET
(Washington) Five additional lawmakers,
including the highest ranking military veteran in Congress, have joined 126
other lawmakers in supporting legislation to repeal the military’s
"Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell" ban on LGBT service
personnel.
That brings the total number of supporters of the
Military Readiness Enhancement Act to 131. It is the highest number of members
of Congress to support repeal since the effect began.
The latest members to sign on are Reps. Michael
A. Arcuri (D-NY), Brian Baird (D-WA), Adam Schiff (D-CA), Joe Sestak (D-PA) and
Brad Sherman (D-CA).
Sestak is Congress’s highest-ranking veteran,
having served 31 years in the United States Navy and retiring as a 3-star
Admiral.
"Congress is steadily
moving toward lifting the ban and welcoming lesbian and gay Americans who want
to serve our country,” said Sharra E. Greer, director of law and policy for
Servicemembers Legal Defense Network (SLDN) in a statement on Monday.
"Americans overwhelmingly
support repeal of ‘Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell,’ and value the contributions
that gay troops bring to our armed forces. When it comes to capturing
terrorists, deciphering intelligence and protecting our nation, sexual
orientation is irrelevant. It is talent and skill that is paramount to our
success at home and abroad."
Last week, President Bush's
nominee to head the Joint Chiefs of Staff told a Senate Armed Services Committee
confirmation hearing that whether or not to repeal "Don't Ask, Don't
Tell", the ban on gays serving openly in the military, should be up to
Congress.
Adm. Mike Mullen, currently the
chief of naval operations was asked about the policy by Maine Republican Susan
Collins.
"I really think it is for the American people
to come forward, really through this body, to both debate that policy and make
changes, if that's appropriate," Mullen replied.
But he also said that while the policy is in
place he would enforce it.
The United States is the only major Western power
to bar gays from serving openly in the military, under the "Don't Ask,
Don't Tell" policy.
A public opinion poll conducted in the US in May
found that 79 percent support gays serving openly in the military.
In February, legislation was reintroduced in
Congress to repeal DADT. (story)
Two lawsuits challenging DADT are underway. One,
by the Servicemembers Legal Defense Network is underway in federal court in
Boston and a second, by Log Cabin Republicans, is before a federal court in
California. (story)
The Democratic contenders for the presidency all
oppose Don't Ask, Don't Tell. The Republican candidates favor keeping it.
©365Gay.com 2007
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