Lift the Ban!
Ask your representative to help repeal "Don't Ask Don't Tell"

June 25, 2007

Robert Greenwald's Brave New Films has released a new video at LiftTheBan.org documenting how the U.S. military's ban on openly gay servicemembers has compromised our national security by worsening our shortage of Arabic linguists.

Only one law in the United States mandates firing someone because of her or his sexual orientation. That law is 10 U.S.C. 654, also known as "Don't Ask, Don't Tell," and it applies to all personnel serving in the U.S. Armed Forces, including active duty, Reserve, and National Guard personnel. All service members deserve respect, regardless of sexual orientation. Under the "Don't Ask, Don't Tell" policy, more than 11,000 members of the U.S. Armed Forces have been discharged, including those with valuable linguistic skills. The policy undermines the dignity, privacy, and integrity of service members by requiring them to hide or lie about their sexual orientation.

Action Needed:

The Military Readiness Enhancement Act (H.R. 1246), originally introduced by Representative Marty Meehan (D-Mass.), now has over 100 co-sponsors in the House! We need you to urge your representative in Congress to support this bill that aims to repeal "Don't Ask, Don't Tell" and replace it with a policy of nondiscrimination. One's right to serve in the Armed Forces should be based solely on ability and willingness.

"Don't Ask, Don't Tell" is a clear cut case of discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation. Since 1993, NOW has strongly opposed any compromise that denies anyone the right to equal treatment within the military. The new leadership in Congress appears willing to work to end this discrimination, so NOW and our coalition partners are working to "Lift the ban"!

Contact your representative NOW - encourage her/him to support the Military Readiness Enhancement Act!

Background:

The Military Readiness Enhancement Act (H.R. 1246) proposes to "enhance the readiness of the Armed Forces by repealing the current policy, initiated in the early days of the Clinton Administration, concerning homosexuality in the Armed Forces. 'Don't Ask, Don't Tell' will be replaced with a policy of nondiscrimination on the basis of sexual orientation."

Under "Don't Ask, Don't Tell" (known as Title 10 of the United States Code), a member of the armed forces is forced to leave the military if that person:

1. has engaged in or attempted to engage in a "homosexual act,"
2. has stated (anywhere, at any time, to anyone) that he or she is homosexual or bisexual
3. has married or attempted to marry a person of the same sex

The new proposal, the Military Readiness Enhancement Act, would establish a policy in the armed forces of nondiscrimination based on sexual orientation, whether real or perceived. In addition, the act stipulates that a servicemember discharged from the military under "Don't Ask, Don't Tell," cannot be prohibited from re-entry on the sole basis of that discharge.

Act NOW - Send a message to your representative! Our system will select an appropriate message based on whether she/he is already a co-sponsor.