Calif. Senate: Repeal 'Don't Ask, Don't Tell'

SACRAMENTO (U.S. Newswire) -- Servicemembers Legal Defense Network (SLDN) today applauded passage of a California State Senate resolution calling for repeal of the U.S. military's "Don't Ask, Don't Tell" ban on
lesbian, gay and bisexual service members. The resolution, introduced by Senator Christine Kehoe, is the first to be considered by a state legislature. The resolution is sponsored by Equality California, the state's largest lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender civil rights organization. It passed during a floor vote on Monday.

"(T)he Legislature of the State of California," the resolution reads, "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.'" If approved, the resolution will be forwarded to Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger (R-CA) for signature.

The Military Readiness Enhancement Act was introduced in the House of Representatives in March by Rep. Martin Meehan (D-MA) and currently has 94 co-sponsors, including 22 members of California's Congressional Delegation - more than any other state. The resolution, if approved by the full Assembly, will put California, the nation's most populous state, on record as
officially opposing the military's ban. The state would join numerous other jurisdictions that have urged Congress to repeal 'Don't Ask, Don't Tell,' including the cities of Chicago, New York, San Francisco and West Hollywood.

"The military's ban on lesbian, gay and bisexual service members impacts every American in every community," said C. Dixon Osburn, executive director of SLDN. "Our freedoms are more secure when every qualified American is allowed to serve, regardless of sexual orientation. Today's resolution sends a strong message of appreciation to the more than 65,000 lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender Americans currently on duty in our armed forces and the 1 million LGBT veterans living in the United States. SLDN commends Senator Kehoe, Equality California and members of the California Senate for supporting our national defense by demanding an end to 'Don't Ask, Don't Tell.'".