Dallas Principles: June 2009 Archives
How much longer should we wait for gay, Lesbian, bisexual, and transgender people to be able to serve honorably in the military?
"These things take time", we are told. In the 1990's William Jefferson Clinton talked about lifting the ban, but instead settled on a compromise that requires dishonesty. "Don't Ask, Don't Tell, Don't Pursue" has become "Don't Ask, Don't Tell" as the military aggressively removes people from service because they were at a Pride event or posted something on a website.
Nearly two decades later, people are still being separated from service because of who they are rather than how they perform as soldiers. This is an unacceptable way to treat these brave individuals who voluntarily serve our country by putting their lives on the line. This is an unacceptable way to treat those people with whom they serve by breaking up teams that have worked together for months or years. This is an unacceptable way to treat Americans who rely on these trained individuals to protect them.
How much longer should we wait? This change is past due. Every second of delay is merely adding to the tardiness of the required action.
The President has said it requires legislative action, and Harry Reid has said the President should take action. They're both right. The President should take action immediately to protect our soldiers by suspending action under "Don't Ask, Don't Tell" while the Congress immediately moves to pass legislation that prevents the military from using sexual orientation or gender identity as criteria for removing servicemembers.
Now.
Today.
This hour.
This minute.
The lives of GLBT soldiers depend on it.
The lives of all soldiers depend on it.
The lives of all Americans depend on it.
"These things take time", we are told. In the 1990's William Jefferson Clinton talked about lifting the ban, but instead settled on a compromise that requires dishonesty. "Don't Ask, Don't Tell, Don't Pursue" has become "Don't Ask, Don't Tell" as the military aggressively removes people from service because they were at a Pride event or posted something on a website.
Nearly two decades later, people are still being separated from service because of who they are rather than how they perform as soldiers. This is an unacceptable way to treat these brave individuals who voluntarily serve our country by putting their lives on the line. This is an unacceptable way to treat those people with whom they serve by breaking up teams that have worked together for months or years. This is an unacceptable way to treat Americans who rely on these trained individuals to protect them.
How much longer should we wait? This change is past due. Every second of delay is merely adding to the tardiness of the required action.
The President has said it requires legislative action, and Harry Reid has said the President should take action. They're both right. The President should take action immediately to protect our soldiers by suspending action under "Don't Ask, Don't Tell" while the Congress immediately moves to pass legislation that prevents the military from using sexual orientation or gender identity as criteria for removing servicemembers.
Now.
Today.
This hour.
This minute.
The lives of GLBT soldiers depend on it.
The lives of all soldiers depend on it.
The lives of all Americans depend on it.
1.Full civil rights for lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender individuals must be enacted now. Delay and excuses are no longer acceptable.
- The Dallas Principals
