Task Force: Today’s vote “an important step”

The Senate Armed Services Committee voted 16-12 tonight to advance “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell” repeal as part of the Department of Defense authorization bill.

Task Force Executive Director Rea Carey thanked the members of the committee who voted for the repeal measure:

Today’s vote marks an important step toward ending an outdated, unnecessary and costly policy that discriminates against courageous and qualified people willing to risk their lives by serving in the military. We thank the committee members who voted to advance the repeal measure, joining with the 78 percent of Americans who believe ‘Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell’ should become a policy of the past. We call for a prompt vote by the full Senate that will get us even closer to permitting lesbian, gay and bisexual service members to serve openly and honestly.

She also pointed out that today’s vote is not the end of the fight to end discrimination in the military:

While this is progress toward ending an unjust law, we continue to call for clear assurances of protection, a specific timeline for repeal implementation, and an immediate halt to the discharges.

For more information, read our release here:
https://www.thetaskforce.org/press/releases/pr_dadt_052710