Washington - A broad coalition of faith voices spoke out today against the discriminatory "Don't ask, Don't Tell" law that prevents some of the best and brightest women and men from serving their country.

"Forcing our men and women in uniform to lie about who they are goes against the core religious tenets of all major faith traditions. Telling the truth is an American and a religious value," said HRC Religion and Faith Program Director Harry Knox. "Not only does 'Don't Ask, Don't Tell' harm our national security, it also fails to live up to the moral standards to which we aspire."

The faith coalition wrote to U.S. Senators and House members today saying in part: "We write because we strongly believe this policy of government-sanctioned discrimination is morally wrong and entirely contrary to the teachings and values of our faith communities."

"As military chaplains, we routinely work with service members whose faith traditions and belief systems are different from ours. The idea that repeal of DADT will infringe on our religious liberty is insulting to all the serving chaplains who professionally minister to and with people of diverse beliefs every day," said Captain John F. Gundlach, a retired Chaplain of the U.S. Navy. "It is time to realize that bigotry - not one's sexual orientation - is incompatible with military service. It's time for gay Americans to be able to serve our country proudly and openly, with continued courage, honor, and commitment."

Signatories to the letter are as follows:

Alliance of Baptists
American Conference of Cantors
American Friends Service Committee
Central Conference of American Rabbis
DignityUSA
Disciples Justice Action Network (Disciples of Christ)
The Episcopal Church
Equal Partners in Faith
The Fellowship
Friends Committee on National Legislation
Interfaith Alliance
Jewish Council for Public Affairs
Lutherans Concerned/North America
Metropolitan Community Churches
More Light Presbyterians
National Black Justice Coalition
National Council of Jewish Women
Other Sheep: Multicultural Ministries with Sexual Minorities
Rabbinical Assembly
Seventh-day Adventist Kinship International
The Sikh Coalition
Union for Reform Judaism
Unitarian Universalist Association of Congregations
United Church of Christ, Justice and Witness Ministries
United Church of Christ, Wider Church Ministries
United Methodist Church, General Board of Church and Society
United Synagogue of Conservative Judaism
Unity Fellowship Church Movement
Women of Reform Judaism

A full copy of the letter is available at: www.HRCbackstory.org.

The Human Rights Campaign is America's largest civil rights organization working to achieve lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender equality. By inspiring and engaging all Americans, HRC strives to end discrimination against LGBT citizens and realize a nation that achieves fundamental fairness and equality for all.