City Councils Fight 'Don't Ask, Don't Tell'

WASHINGTON (U.S. Newswire) -- City council members in New York and West Hollywood have recently adopted similar resolutions calling on the federal government to repeal 'Don't Ask, Don't Tell,' the military's ban on lesbian, gay and bisexual personnel.

On Wednesday, May 11, the New York City Council voted in favor of Resolution 438, introduced by Council Member Alan Jay Gerson (D-WFP, District 1, Lower Manhattan) and his colleagues Council Members Lopez, Quinn, Reed, Boyland, Brewer, Jackson, Nelson, Palma, Perkins, Sears, Weprin and Moskowitz. "It is long overdue for the Council to speak out about this unfair and discriminatory policy. . . . Lesbians and gay men have served in the military for the entire history of our country, and they should be allowed to serve openly," Gerson said upon introduction of the resolution in March.

On May 18, the West Hollywood City Council approved language supporting a statewide resolution currently pending in the California State Legislature. That resolution was introduced in April by Senator Christine Kehoe and states, in part, that "(T)he Legislature of the State of California respectfully urge the President and Congress of the United States to adopt the Military Readiness Enhancement Act of 2005 (H.R. 1059) to end the discriminatory federal policy of 'Don't Ask, Don't Tell.'" The state resolution, which is sponsored by Equality California, will be debated at a June 7 hearing in Sacramento.

"Communities across the country are beginning to realize the impact the military's gay ban has on their security, safety and well-being," said C. Dixon Osburn, Executive Director of Servicemembers Legal Defense Network (SLDN). "Community leaders in New York and West Hollywood are taking historic stands against discrimination at the federal level. Their efforts send a strong, clear message to Washington that Americans no longer support the exclusion of qualified, capable Americans from our armed forces. Lesbian, gay and bisexual Americans from New York to West Hollywood, and every community in between, should be welcome in our military."