Tell Congress to Repeal "Don't Ask, Don't Tell"

House Resolution 1246 has been re-introduced in the U.S. House of Representatives. HR 1246, otherwise known as the Military Readiness Enhancement Act, would repeal "Don't Ask, Don't Tell." This harmful policy has prohibited gay, lesbian and bisexual troops from serving openly in the military since 1993.

Watch Stephen Benjamin's personal story, provided by Brave New Foundation.

As of July 29th, 126 of 435 members of Congress (29%) have signed on as co-sponsors of the Military Readiness Enhancement Act. However, only two (2) members of the Texas Congressional Delegation have signed on as co-sponsors: Eddie Bernice Johnson and Sheila Jackson-Lee.

Ask your Representative to co-sponsor the measure today. Below is a sample letter to your Congressperson. Since personalized notes are even more effective, please take a few moments to add your thoughts in the message below. If you are a straight ally, veteran, military personnel, or a family member of military personnel, your letter will be that much more powerful.

Sample Letter for Campaign

Subject: Please co-sponsor HR 1246, the Military Readiness Enhancement Act

Dear [ Decision Maker ] ,

As your constituent, I urge you to co-sponsor HR 1246, the Military Readiness Enhancement Act, that is currently in the House of Representatives.

As Americans, we celebrate our freedom and the wonderful country that we live in and for which our soldiers fight. As I think about these freedoms, I find it hypocritical that thousands of our troops who are gay, lesbian and bisexual are defending a freedom they are not afforded in return. HR 1246 would repeal the U.S. Military's "Don't Ask, Don't Tell" policy and allow ALL American troops to serve their country openly and honestly.

Furthermore, this bill is about more than ending an archaic and discriminatory policy. Not only does it allow gays, lesbians and bisexuals to serve openly, but it will enhance our military's capabilities through unrestricted recruitment, as well as saving millions in taxpayer and Armed Forces dollars.

With more than 10,000 servicemembers already discharged under the "Don't Ask, Don't Tell" policy, and the current military recruitment and retention problems in our country, this policy clearly does not make sense. Our military needs as many able-bodied men and women as it can find. Discriminating against willing, patriotic citizens is not what this country is about, nor what freedom, in its traditional definition, stands for.

According to a report from the General Accounting Office, nearly 800 specialists with critical skills have been fired due to the "Don't Ask, Don't Tell" policy, including 322 linguists, more than 54 of whom specialized in Arabic. Losing these valuable resources based solely on sexual orientation weakens our national security.

According to the GAO, this policy has already cost the United States hundreds of millions of dollars to discharge, recruit, train and replace valuable servicemembers. This money could have been used more effectively in supplying the troops with needed armor, weapons and supplies.

In a just-released CNN/Opinion Research Corporation poll, 79% of poll respondents said openly gay people should be allowed to serve their country in the United States Military.

Please support our Armed Forces by co-sponsoring HR 1246. Please take a stand for the freedoms of life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness, just as our brave men and women are doing overseas. They are fighting for your freedom regardless of your sexual orientation. Won't you do the same for them?

I look forward to hearing from you soon with your response.

Sincerely,

Campaign Launched:
June 26, 2007

Background Information

Enlist for Equality: Repeal "Don't Ask, Don't Tell"

Under the current policy, servicemembers may be investigated and discharged if they:

make a statement that they are lesbian, gay or bisexual,
engage in intimate, physical contact with someone of the same sex,
marry, or attempt to marry, someone of the same sex.

It is estimated that at least 65,000 lesbian, gay and bisexual Americans are currently serving in the U.S. Military.

More than 10,000 servicemembers have been discharged under the "Don't Ask, Don't Tell" policy.

The General Accounting Office reports nearly 800 specialists with critically-needed skills have been discharged under "Don't Ask, Don't Tell", including 322 linguists, 17% of whom specialized in Arabic.

"Don't Ask, Don't Tell" has cost taxpayers a minimum of $191 million. These funds should have been used to supply troops with needed armor, weapons and supplies.

In a just-released CNN/Opinion Research Corporation poll, 79% of poll respondents said openly gay people should be allowed to serve in the United States military.

It is time. Repeal "Don't Ask, Don't Tell."

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