Call Rep. Welch about "Don't Ask Don't Tell," scheduled for repeal vote THIS WEEK

[Ian David]

ust posted on the Vermont Freedom to Marry Task Force web site:

Have you heard the news? Congress will vote THIS WEEK on a bill that would repeal "Don't Ask, Don't Tell."

We know the foes of equal rights won't take this quietly. Our own Congressman, Peter Welch -- a strong supporter of the repeal -- is no doubt getting bombarded with opposition phone calls. Please, let him know we appreciate his unyielding support for equal rights, and for a strong military that values loyal soldiers with much-needed skills.

CONTACT Congressman Peter Welch at [phone] or online here.

A letter from President Obama to Congressional leaders has paved the way for the impending vote to repeal "Don't Ask, Don't Tell." The repeal will be considered as an amendment to the National Defense Authorization bill, rather than the freestanding repeal bill endorsed by Vermont's Congressional delegation. The proposed amendment would provide for immediate repeal of the current DADT law, but would defer actual implementation of the repeal until completion of the Pentagon Working Group study due December 1, 2010. The President, the Secretary of Defense and the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs would need to certify that implementation policies and regulations are prepared and that they are consistent with standards for readiness, effectiveness, unit cohesion, recruiting, and retention.

Leaders of the national struggle to end "Don't Ask, Don't Tell" have wholeheartedly endorsed the compromise. It paves the way an end to the unwise and unfair policy, while also respecting the Pentagon's view that the implementation study process that has been underway for some time be respected.

Vermont's entire Congressional delegation supports the repeal of DADT. Representative Welch has co-sponsored a separate House bill to repeal DADT, and Senator Patrick Leahy (D-VT) and Senator Bernie Sanders (D-VT) are cosponsors of the Senate versions.

Background: "Don't Ask, Don't Tell" prohibits recruiters from asking the sexual orientation of anyone signing on for military service, while forbidding service members from self-identifying as gay, lesbian, or bisexual, engaging in a GLB relationship, or marrying someone of the same gender. "Don't Ask, Don't Tell" commenced in 1993 after a compromise between President Bill Clinton (who wanted to lift the ban entirely) and some Congress people and military leadership who opposed any acceptance of GLB individuals serving in the armed forces.

Current estimates are that more than 70% of U.S. service members and 70% of American citizens support the repeal of DADT.

CONTACT Congressman Peter Welch TODAY at [phone] or online here to thank him for his unyielding support for equal rights and a strong, inclusive military.

More:
http://www.vtfreetomarry.org/2010/05/call-rep-welch-about-dont-ask-dont-tell-scheduled-for-repeal-vote-this-week.html