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12/01/07-12/03/07

Retired Military Officials Denounce "Don't Ask, Don't Tell"

Twenty-eight retired generals and admirals released a letter Friday urging Congress to overturn the ban on gays serving openly in the military, according to The New York Times. The letter cites information showing that 65,000 gay men and lesbians are currently serving in the military and that there are more than 1 million gay and lesbian veterans who have "served our nation honorably."

“We respectfully urge Congress to repeal the ‘don’t ask, don’t tell’ policy,” the letter says. “Those of us signing this letter have dedicated our lives to defending the rights of our citizens to believe whatever they wish.”

The pressure to repeal the ban is on members of Congress, as the Department of Defense is on record saying it will uphold whatever legislation Congress passes on the subject.

Each of the Democratic candidates running for president has pledged to end the "don't ask, don't tell" policy should they become president. In contrast, Republicans are unwilling to overturn the ban, citing, among other reasons, that wartime is not the right time to make changes and that repeal will hinder the unit cohesion of troops.

Friday marked the 14th anniversary of the policy's enactment by former president Bill Clinton. (The Advocate)

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