It's Time to End Don't Ask, Don't Tell

Tell Your Legislators: It's Time to End "Don't Ask, Don't Tell"

There are an estimated 65,000 gay, lesbian, bisexual & transgender individuals bravely serving our country who live in fear that their careers will be ruined simply if someone finds out who they are. No one should have to face this discrimination, especially not the people who are putting their lives on the line for us.

In 1993, the so-called "Don't Ask, Don't Tell" policy took effect. Since then, well over 11,000 brave Americans--including intelligence analysts, linguists, pilots, and doctors--have been discharged because of their sexual orientation. Our tax dollars should go to better causes than firing qualified individuals with much-needed skills from our military.

Help us honor America's service members & veterans by telling Congress to pass HR 1246, the Military Readiness Enhancement Act, which will end this policy of discrimination. Tell Congress that fourteen years of "Don't Ask Don't Tell" is more than enough!

Four members of the Washington delegation are currently cosponsors of HR 1246: Brian Baird, Jay Inslee, Jim McDermott, and Adam Smith.

For more information about "Don't Ask, Don't Tell," visit the Servicemembers Legal Defense Network at http://www.sldn.org/templates/index.html.

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We strongly encourage you to edit the subject line and body of the e-mail. Tell in personal terms why you oppose "don't ask dont tell."

Discrimination in any form is wrong. If American is going to serve as a model for freedom in the world then we must set a positive example in our own laws.

Countless LGBT Americans honorably serving our country have suffered under "Don't Ask, Don't Tell": under this discriminatory policy well over 11,000 qualified people have been discharged, averaging over two per day.

Many countries, including such strong allies of the United States as Israel and Britain, have allowed LGBT people to serve openly in their militaries with no adverse effects. The harmful effects of this policy extend beyond its direct discrimination.

"Don't Ask, Don't Tell" has undermined our military by driving out people with much needed abilities as linguistic skills and medical expertise.

"Don't Ask, Don't Tell" is costly: according to the Servicemembers Legal Defense Network the military has spent $190 million of the government's money firing qualified individuals because of their sexual orientation.

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