Celebrating LGBT Veterans

WASHINGTON (U.S. Newswire) -- The National Black Justice Coalition (NBJC) today joined Servicemembers Legal Defense Network (SLDN) in celebrating the contributions of lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender veterans. On November 7th, SLDN launched a week-long campaign to highlight the service of the LGBT community. Today, NBJC issued the following statement in conjunction with the SLDN campaign:

"The National Black Justice Coalition joins Servicemembers Legal Defense Network in honoring the brave lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender Americans who have served our nation's armed forces. An estimated 1 million gay veterans currently live in the United States, and an additional 65,000 are on duty today. There is no better thanks for their selfless service than an end to the military's 'Don't Ask, Don't Tell' ban on lesbian and gay personnel.

Just as racial segregation denied our armed forces the talent and qualifications of the African American community, the 'Don't Ask, Don't Tell' law also exacts a cost to our national security and military readiness. And just as the arguments against military desegregation proved to be unfounded, so are the arguments against allowing lesbian and gay patriots the opportunity to serve openly. Indeed, those who seek to deny the LGBT community the opportunity to serve use many of the same justifications once used to deny African Americans that same opportunity. Discrimination should never find a home among our nation's fighting forces.

It is time, once again, to put prejudice behind us and recruit from among the best and brightest Americans, including LGBT patriots who want to serve our country. This Veterans Day, as we remember the sacrifice of those who have served, we must also recommit ourselves to once again opening closed doors in our armed forces. History has taught us that we best defend freedom when we, ourselves, are most free."