![Robertgatesx390](https://www.advocate.com/media-library/robertgatesx390.jpg?id=32718198&width=1200&height=876)
CONTACTStaffCAREER OPPORTUNITIESADVERTISE WITH USPRIVACY POLICYPRIVACY PREFERENCESTERMS OF USELEGAL NOTICE
© 2024 Pride Publishing Inc.
All Rights reserved
All Rights reserved
By continuing to use our site, you agree to our Private Policy and Terms of Use.
More than 3,500 people have been signed to an open letter to Defense secretary Robert Gates that asks him to stop the practice of attempting to recoup costs of education, training, and bonuses from troops discharged under the "don't ask, don't tell" policy.
Advocates say that recoupment, which is an optional and not required practice, continues to saddle veterans with debt after they have been unfairly ousted from the service because of the discriminatory policy, which remains in effect despite the repeal law signed by President Barack Obama last month. Last week Lt. Dan Choi, a West Point graduate and Iraq war veteran discharged under the policy, wrote a letter to the president in which he refused to pay the $2,500 being requested for "the unearned portion" of his Army contract.
Americablog Gay posted an open letter to Secretary Gates in which it asked him to order the service chiefs to stop the attempts to recoup bonuses and education and training costs from veterans discharged under "don't ask, don't tell."
"Where is the integrity in demanding that soldiers discharged under 'don't ask, don't tell' pay thousands of dollars back to the military, simply because the Pentagon chose to end their careers?" asks the letter.
As of late Monday afternoon, more than 3,500 people had signed the letter, which Americablog Gay hopes to have signed by 4,000 people.
Want more breaking equality news & trending entertainment stories?
Check out our NEW 24/7 streaming service: the Advocate Channel!
Download the Advocate Channel App for your mobile phone and your favorite streaming device!
From our Sponsors
Most Popular
Meet all 37 of the queer women in this season's WNBA
April 17 2024 11:24 AM
Here are the 15 gayest travel destinations in the world: report
March 26 2024 9:23 AM
21+ steamy photos of Scotland’s finest gay men in Elska Glasgow
February 01 2024 10:07 PM
More Than 50 of Our Favorite LGBTQ+ Moms
May 12 2024 11:44 AM
Conjoined twins Lori Schappell and trans man George Schappell dead at 62
April 27 2024 6:13 PM
Latest Stories
Joe Biden sends queer lawmakers & LGBTQ+ allies to Paris Olympics
July 24 2024 12:08 PM
Kamala Harris rides wave of Democratic energy at kickoff event in Wisconsin
July 23 2024 3:36 PM
'Devastated:' A six-week abortion ban will go into effect in Iowa next week
July 23 2024 2:28 PM