Repeal "Don't Ask, Don't Tell"

A month ago, Governor Howard Dean wrote an open letter to President Obama asking him to fulfill his State of the Union pledge to repeal the discriminatory "Don't Ask, Don't Tell" policy for Americans serving in the United States Military this year. Within a week, almost 100,000 DFA and Courage Campaign members co-signed the letter and then volunteers delivered the open letter -- with all the co-signers -- to every Senator in the country. 

It worked. 

Pressure from constituents helped Democratic leadership find the backbone needed to pass repeal in the House of Representatives and in the powerful Senate Armed Services Committee. But we haven't won yet. The last hurdle is a vote by the full U.S. Senate. 

That's a big hurdle. So to succeed, we need to keep the pressure building and never let up. The next step is your own personal appeal, because when Senators hear directly from you, it adds force and meaning by putting a face and name behind the message. Whether you write one sentence or a whole paragraph, nothing is more powerful than a message from you in your own words. 


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TELL CONGRESS IT'S TIME TO REPEAL "DON'T ASK, DON'T TELL" -- IN YOUR OWN WORDS -- TODAY 

A recent ABC News/Washington Post poll showed 75% of Americans support allowing gays and lesbians to serve openly in the military. Americans clearly understand that if someone is brave enough to take a bullet for our country, they must have the right to serve regardless of their sexual orientation. 

This is about civil rights. It's up to Congress to make sure all Americans are treated equally under the law. Until "Don't Ask, Don't Tell" is repealed, gay service members will continue to be treated as second-class citizens and risk discharge, financial penalties and sometimes worse just for being who they are.

It has to stop. And it's up to us to keep the pressure on to make sure it does. 

TELL CONGRESS NOW 

Your Senator needs to know that how he or she votes in Congress has a direct effect on how we'll vote on Election Day. We'll support candidates who deliver and work to defeat those who don't. Because when they stand up for Americans and civil rights, we'll stand up for them at the ballot box. 

Let's make sure they get the message. Please sign your name and add your own statement right now. 
Thank you for everything you do. 

Charles Chamberlain, Political Director 
Democracy for America