Congressional
candidate wants "don't ask, don't tell" repealed

An Illinois Democratic congressional candidate who previously served in Iraq has expressed strong support for repealing the Pentagon's "don't ask, don't tell" military policy, which mandates the dismissal of any gay or lesbian service member whose sexual orientation becomes known.

Tammy Duckworth, an active-duty major in the Army National Guard who lost both legs during the war, is running in the state's sixth congressional district against Republican state senator Peter Roskam. Roskam and Duckworth are both trying to fill the seat vacated by retiring congressman Henry Hyde.

"When I was serving in Iraq, it made no difference to me what the sexual orientation of my comrades was," Duckworth said. "Any qualified American who is willing to make that kind of sacrifice for our freedom should be free to do so."

The Military Readiness Enhancement Act, a bill that would repeal "don't ask, don't tell," is currently pending in the House of Representatives and is supported by 118 other House members. (The Advocate)