Let Them Serve: Working to Repeal "Don't Ask, Don't Tell"

categories: LGBT Legislation, LGBT Rights and Politics, LGBT Rights and the Military

Published August 15, 2009 @ 07:51AM PT

Rep. Patrick Murphy

U.S. Rep. Patrick Murphy is the first veteran from the current Iraq War to serve in Congress. He's also the lead legislator behind efforts to repeal the archaic and discriminatory "Don't Ask, Don't Tell" policy which prevents openly gay and lesbian soldiers from serving in the U.S. military. For Rep. Murphy, there is one solid, succinct message for the U.S. government: Let gays and lesbians serve.

Rep. Murphy is also the vision behind a new Web site, www.letthemserve.com, which advocates for a full repeal of "Don't Ask, Don't Tell." In the words of Murphy, "Don't Ask, Don't Tell compromises our military readiness and hurts our national security." The site, while in its infancy stages, includes some powerful narratives from gay and lesbian military veterans who talk about how proud they were to serve the U.S., even though current U.S. policy would exclude them.

Stories like Navy Airman H.K.'s, who notes that it was his dream since childhood to serve the U.S. military. But after two years of service, the lies that H.K. had to tell in order to avoid being "outed" were simply too much, and he took an administrative discharge.

Or stories like Army Specialist D.C.'s, who as a straight ally, notes that all of the soldiers in his battery would have proudly fought next to gay or lesbian troops, if only the U.S. government would allow them to serve.

Straight, gay, lesbian...they all have the same message: it makes absolutely no sense for the U.S. government to continue a policy under which 13,000 qualified troops have been discharged simply on the basis of their sexual orientation. That's why Rep. Murphy created letthemserve.com, and it's why thousands of people have already signed a petition to Congress right here at change.org calling for an end to "Don't Ask, Don't Tell." (Have you signed yet?)

Here's Rep. Murphy below at Netroots Nation this weekend, calling again for an end to "Don't Ask, Don't Tell." Rep. Murphy puts it all out on the table, saying that he is confident that a "Don't Ask, Don't Tell" bill will reach the President's desk, and the U.S. military (like more than twenty other militaries around the country, including many of our allies) will be accepting of gay and lesbian troops.

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Comments (6)

Now if we only had someone like Murphy on DOMA.

Posted by Chris Marshall on 08/15/2009 @ 10:00AM PT
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The intolerant 'Don't Ask, Don't Tell' must be repealed. President Obama must implement the moratorium against the military policy, while Congress advances the bill which would repeal 'Don't Ask, Don't Tell'. Many members of Congress have signed support for the repeal and it's good that Patrick Murphy is being prominent in his support for the repeal of that military policy. Thousands of LGBT service members have been discharged but that shall soon end.

Posted by Edwin Bonilla on 08/15/2009 @ 02:51PM PT
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DOMA does need to go. I live in Illinois, near the Iowa border. My partner and I do plan to marry in Iowa soon, and I want to be able to register s a married couple in Illinois, even if i have to sue the state.

Posted by gilbert barrett on 08/17/2009 @ 03:27PM PT
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I agree that both D.O.M.A. and D.A.D.T. needs to be done away with but we may have to focus our efforts on one at a time...Especially since were still having to fight to keep the bible thumpers from undoing what weve accomplished thus far.

Posted by Thomas McHugh on 08/17/2009 @ 04:47PM PT
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What happens to all the people who already have been discharged for homosexual acts or being homosexual? Will they be cleared?

Posted by Edgar Vargas on 08/19/2009 @ 06:20PM PT
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They should be reinstated given back pay and reparation and given a medal...

Posted by Cherokee Fred Jesus on 08/20/2009 @ 09:06AM PT
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Michael is the Communications Director for the Human Rights Program at Harvard Law School, and previously was Communications Director for Pax Christi USA, a progressive Catholic human rights organization.