Lieberman to Introduce Senate &quotDon't Ask, Don't Tell&quot Repeal Bill

by Admin

Senate bill to be introduced after weeks of momentum-building advancements for repeal.

Washington - The Human Rights Campaign, the nation's largest lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender civil rights organization, applauded Senator Joseph Lieberman (I-CT)'s statement that he will introduce a bill in the Senate to repeal the discriminatory "Don't Ask, Don't Tell" law that bars openly gay and lesbian Americans from serving in the military. Lieberman made his intentions public this morning in a statement and during an interview with the New York Daily News, where Lieberman stated, "What matters is not the gender of the other person in your unit or the color or the religion or in this case the sexual orientation. It's whether that person is a good soldier you can depend on. And that's why I think it's going to work."

"Senator Lieberman's announcement of the introduction of a Senate repeal bill is a welcome development following what has already been a historic several weeks in the campaign to end "Don't Ask, Don't Tell,'" said Human Rights Campaign President Joe Solmonese. "As a member of the Armed Services Committee and a longtime leader on issues of national security and foreign policy, Senator Lieberman's leadership on this bill is another positive sign that 'Don't Ask, Don't Tell' can end this year."

Senator Lieberman's public stance calling for the end of "Don't Ask, Don't Tell" is one that is shared by a growing consensus of military leaders, public officials and the American public. Since President Obama delivered his State of the Union address last month, where he called for ending the ban on openly gay and lesbian Americans from serving in the military, there has been a nearly unanimous and diverse group who have spoke out in support of doing away with the law. Some of those include:

Now is the time to repeal "Don't Ask, Don't Tell." To be part of the effort to ensure that "Don't Ask, Don't Tell" is repealed this year, please write your member of Congress.

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.

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