A Statement from NCLR Executive Director Kate Kendell
(San Francisco, CA, January 28, 2010) — Last night, in his first State of the Union address, President Barack Obama promised to work with Congress to repeal Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell, the discriminatory policy banning gays, lesbians, and bisexuals from serving openly in the military. The National Center for Lesbian Rights issued the following statement.
A statement from Kate Kendell, Executive Director of the National Center for Lesbian Rights:
“We agree with President Obama’s statement that repealing Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell is the right thing to do, and we commend him for addressing such an urgent issue in his State of the Union address. However, President Obama’s pledge to work with Congress to repeal Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell in 2010, falls short of what our service members deserve from their Commander in Chief. Since Obama took office last year, hundreds of able and talented soldiers have had careers ruined and futures wrecked. The President must take concrete steps to end this failed and immoral law that undermines our national security. At a minimum, we call on our President to immediately issue a “stop loss” order to end discharges of gay, lesbian and bisexual soldiers pending a full repeal of Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell. These service members, our nation, and common decency, deserve at least that.”
The National Center for Lesbian Rights is a national legal organization committed to advancing the civil and human rights of lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender people and their families through litigation, public policy advocacy, and public education.