Dear friend,

If you’re a soldier out on the battlefield, it makes absolutely no difference whether you’re gay or straight. And yet, at a time when we’re engaged in two wars in Iraq and Afghanistan and our military is stretched thin, Americans are being discharged from military service simply for being open about their sexual orientation.

“Don’t ask, don’t tell” bars openly gay or bisexual people from serving in the U.S. military, and over 13,500 troops have been discharged since its implementation in 1993.

On December 15th, 2010, — thanks to voices like yours speaking out against the ban — the U.S. House of Representatives voted to repeal “don’t ask, don’t tell.” However, there is still work that needs to be done. We now need your help again to pass similar legislation in the Senate.

In the days leading up to the close of the lame duck session, Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid is attempting to schedule a vote on the repeal of “don’t ask, don’t tell.” We need to make sure we have as many votes as possible on our side.

Please send a letter or place a call to your senators as soon as possible and ask them to support the repeal of “don’t ask, don’t tell.”

Little time is left before the vote, so it’s crucial to let your senators know that their support for repeal is greatly needed. Join me in taking action right now. 

Sincerely,

Roy Speckhardt,
Executive Director, American Humanist Association