The National Council of Jewish Women is calling on President Obama and Congress to repeal the "don’t ask, don’t tell" policy on gays in the military. The group’s board of directors said in a statement that "the policy that forces gays and lesbians in the military to hide their identities lest they be discharged from the armed services is not only discriminatory, but it has also undermines our national security by codifying a policy that in practice bars dedicated and qualified military personnel from contributing to our national defense since the policy took effect 15 years ago." The full release is after the jump:[[READMORE]]
Calling on Congress and the President to reverse the federal government’s “don’t ask, don’t tell” policy regarding gays and lesbians in the military, the National Council of Jewish Women (NCJW) board of directors issued the following statement:
“The National Council of Jewish Women has long supported full equality under the law for lesbian, gay, and transgender individuals. The ongoing discrimination that still exists in federal and state law is a stain on our nation’s commitment to equal rights. In particular, the policy that forces gays and lesbians in the military to hide their identities lest they be discharged from the armed services is not only discriminatory, but it has also undermines our national security by codifying a policy that in practice bars dedicated and qualified military personnel from contributing to our national defense since the policy took effect 15 years ago.
“NCJW calls upon the President and the Congress to act quickly to repeal the ‘don’t ask, don’t tell’ policy. Gay and lesbian Americans have always served in our military; elimination of this policy would permit them to do so openly and without deception, subject to the same rules of military conduct that apply to all those who serve.
“Given the history of hostility toward gays and lesbians in the military, repealing the ‘don’t ask, don’t tell’ policy must incorporate safeguards to guard against harassment, abuse, and discrimination in hiring, promotion, and firing. It must incorporate training on what a new open policy means and how to enforce it for all levels of military personnel, from the enlisted ranks to the top leadership.
“American society has come a long way since 1994, when ‘don’t ask, don’t tell’ became the policy of the US government. Our national security needs and simple justice demands that this policy be ended.”
