thedrifter
02-20-06, 08:47 AM
Gay veterans to protest military’s ‘don’t ask’ policy
By Marie Szaniszlo
Monday, February 20, 2006 - Updated: 02:59 AM EST
A group of gay and lesbian veterans will launch a national campaign tomorrow at Harvard to repeal the military’s policy of “don’t ask, don’t tell.”
The seven-week, nationwide speaking tour, which will begin at 7 p.m. at the John F. Kennedy School of Government’s Starr Auditorium, will feature seven former service members who argue that the law keeps able-bodied Americans from serving in the military at a time when it is desperate to recruit and retain troops because of the war in Iraq.
“A lot of people have never known a gay or lesbian person and, as a result, have all sorts of misconceptions about what gays and lesbians are like, and no idea what impact ‘don’t ask, don’t tell’ has had on national security,” said Alex Nicholson, an Army veteran and founder and director of the “Call to Duty Tour.”
In 1993, shortly after taking office, President Bill Clinton suspended a Department of Defense policy banning gays and lesbians from the military.
The Joint Chiefs of Staff and influential members of Congress, however, opposed Clinton’s attempt to permanently lift the ban.
The compromise was “don’t ask, don’t tell,” under which the military was not to inquire about the sexual orientation of prospective service members, and gays and lesbians were not to reveal their sexual orientation. Those who did or were “found out” would be subject to dismissal.
Ellie
By Marie Szaniszlo
Monday, February 20, 2006 - Updated: 02:59 AM EST
A group of gay and lesbian veterans will launch a national campaign tomorrow at Harvard to repeal the military’s policy of “don’t ask, don’t tell.”
The seven-week, nationwide speaking tour, which will begin at 7 p.m. at the John F. Kennedy School of Government’s Starr Auditorium, will feature seven former service members who argue that the law keeps able-bodied Americans from serving in the military at a time when it is desperate to recruit and retain troops because of the war in Iraq.
“A lot of people have never known a gay or lesbian person and, as a result, have all sorts of misconceptions about what gays and lesbians are like, and no idea what impact ‘don’t ask, don’t tell’ has had on national security,” said Alex Nicholson, an Army veteran and founder and director of the “Call to Duty Tour.”
In 1993, shortly after taking office, President Bill Clinton suspended a Department of Defense policy banning gays and lesbians from the military.
The Joint Chiefs of Staff and influential members of Congress, however, opposed Clinton’s attempt to permanently lift the ban.
The compromise was “don’t ask, don’t tell,” under which the military was not to inquire about the sexual orientation of prospective service members, and gays and lesbians were not to reveal their sexual orientation. Those who did or were “found out” would be subject to dismissal.
Ellie