aTypical Joe: a gay New Yorker living in the rural South

Sunday, June 25, 2006

SLDN on McCain on Don’t Ask Don’t Tell

John McCain reiterated his support for Don’t Ask Don’t Tell in an article that appeared Sunday. SLDN released a statement in response:

Senator McCain has long stated that ‘Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell’ is the right policy, and is working. He’s just plain wrong. More than 11,000 well-qualified men and women, including Arabic linguists, pilots and medical professionals, have now been fired because of the ban on gay service members, and the number grows daily. Thousands more decline to enlist because of the prohibition on open service. All the while, our military readiness suffers and the government continues a discriminatory law that punishes gay Americans because of who they are.

Senator McCain would do well to listen to the counsel of military leaders who have said it’s time for the policy to be repealed. Lietuenant General Claudia Kennedy, General Wesley Clark, Brigadier General Pat Foote and others understand the absurdity of keeping this law in place. And he may learn important lessons from our allies, who have found great benefits, and no negative side effects, in lifting their bans.

Our gay and lesbian service members in Iraq, Afghanistan and around the world deserve respect for their sacrifice. ‘Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell’ isn’t working, but they are, every day and with great pride in their service.