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Take ActionJanuary 10, 2012 | Dan Rafter
Category: Call It Out, DADT, Oklahoma, Military
Act Now: Tell OK Lawmaker Anti-Gay Legislation Weakens Military
HRC is joining The Equality Network (TEN) in condemning legislation Oklahoma Representative Mike Reynolds (R-Oklahoma City) is pushing that would implement a more extreme version of the discriminatory “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell” (DADT) law, which would be applicable to the state’s National Guard. The bill would bar gay, lesbian and bisexual individuals from serving in the Oklahoma National Guard. The bill goes beyond the discrimination contained in the now-repealed DADT statute, and allows government officials to directly question someone about their sexual orientation – essentially removing the “Don’t Ask” component contained in DADT.
Act now to tell Rep. Reynolds not to support this discriminatory legislation.
Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Admiral Michael Mullen said the day after implementation of repeal: “…with implementation of the new law fully in place, we are a stronger joint force, a more tolerant joint force, a force of more character and more honor, more in keeping with our own values." Secretary of Defense Leon Panetta said: "Thanks to this change, I believe we move closer to achieving the goal at the foundation of the values that America is all about: equality, equal opportunity and dignity for all Americans.”
Read the HRC/TEN joint statement. Oklahoma’s new legislative session begins February 6.
