Monday, October 24, 2005

St Louis to Congress: "Drop 'Don't Ask, Don't Tell"

(Link) St Louis joins the list of cities that are urging Congress to sign the Military Enhancement Readiness Act which would allow openly gay and lesbian troops to serve. The bill's already got 98 co-sponsors in the House of Reps.
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LNewsEditor said...

JIC Post:
From Servicemembers Legal Defense Network

ST. LOUIS, MISSOURI – The St. Louis Board of Aldermen today approved a resolution urging congress to repeal the military’s ‘Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell’ ban on lesbian, gay and bisexual military personnel. The resolution, introduced by Aldermen Board President James Shrewsbury on behalf of Gateway Stonewall Democrats, says in part that the Board “respectfully urges Congress to pass and the President to sign the Military Readiness Enhancement Act of 2005 (H.R. 1059), thereby ending the discriminatory federal policy of ‘Don’t Ask,

Don’t Tell . . . ‘” Shrewsbury’s resolution was passed by unanimous vote.

The Military Readiness Enhancement Act, introduced in March, would repeal the military’s ban and allow lesbian, gay and bisexual personnel to serve openly. The bill currently has 98 co-sponsors in the House of Representatives, including Representatives Russ Carnahan, William, Clay, Jr. and Emanuel Cleaver of Missouri.

“A strong national defense is in the best interest of every community,” said C. Dixon Osburn, executive director of Servicemembers Legal Defense Network. “Our fighting forces are better able to win wars, fight terrorism and protect our homeland when the most talented Americans, regardless of sexual orientation, are allowed to serve. From New York to California, Americans who value security over discrimination are igniting a grassroots movement to topple ‘Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell.’ SLDN congratulates Alderman Shrewsbury and Gateway Stonewall Democrats on today’s resolution. Now, Congress must follow the lead of their constituents and repeal the gay ban once and for all.”

Resolutions supporting the Military Readiness Enhancement Act have recently been approved by city councils in New York, Chicago, West Hollywood, San Francisco and Cathedral City, Calif. In September the California State Assembly also approved a similar resolution, making the state the first to officially oppose the military’s ban.

"The men and women of St. Louis, gay and straight alike, deserve the opportunity to give back to our nation through service in the armed forces," said SLDN St. Louis Board Member Kathleen Clark. "Today's resolution is not just a condemnation of the current ban on gays serving openly, but also an affirmation of the more than 1 million gay veterans who have already served honorably and with distinction. The best way to thank them for their service would be to end the gay ban."

For more information on the St. Louis resolution, other city council votes and the Military Readiness Enhancement Act, visit www.sldn.org. For more information on Gateway Stonewall Democrats, visit www.gatewaystonewalldemocrats.org.

10/24/2005 9:59 AM

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