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November 10, 2009 5:56 PM

Could "Don't Ask, Don't Tell" be Repealed Next Year?

Posted by Stephanie Condon
(AP)
The law that prohibits openly gay servicemen from serving in the military may be repealed as an amendment to the 2011 Defense Department budget bill, the Washington Blade reports.

The repeal of the "Don't Ask, Don't Tell" (DADT) rule should be a part of the defense budget, much like the recent extension of hate crimes protections for LGBT citizens, Rep. Barney Frank (D-Mass.) told the Blade. Frank is one of three openly gay members of the House.

"The House will take up and the Senate will take up 'Don't Ask, Don't Tell' repeal," Frank reportedly said. "That will again, like hate crimes, even more so, will have to be done, I believe, in the context of the defense authorization. You can't do the standalone bill. It belongs in the defense authorization."

A bill has been introduced in the House to repeal the measure, and Sen. Joe Lieberman (I-Conn.) may introduce a similar bill in the Senate.

DADT was enacted through a defense authorization bill in 1993, the Blade points out.

Sen. Dick Durbin (D-Ill.), the Senate majority whip, reportedly said that he was uncertain whether the DADT repeal would be on next year's agenda. In reponse, Frank told the Blade, "I think that's a terrible mistake for him to say that and I believe that it will be a great injustice to wait any longer."

President Obama is expected to deliver his defense budget request to Congress early next year.

The president's liberal base is increasingly worried he may not follow through on his campaign promises, including the repeal of DADT. A number of liberal activists, including prominent gay activist John Aravosis, are spearheading a financial boycott of the Democratic National Committee, Organizing for America (the DNC-run operation to mobilize Obama supporters) and the Obama campaign. They say the administration has failed to keep its promises to the gay community.

Meanwhile, the American Medical Association has agreed to join efforts to repeal DADT, arguing it creates an ethical dilemma for gay service members and the doctors who treat them.
Tags:
Don't Ask Don't Tell ,
gay rights ,
Barney Frank
Topics:
Gay Issues
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Add a Comment See all 14 Comments
by sarahsoldier November 17, 2009 5:49 PM EST
Have you seen this yet? A lesbian soldier said that DADT is "no big deal." Can you believe that?

http://www.ourscenetv.com/articles/***-is-the-big-deal-with-dont-ask-dont-tell
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by Airborne_Ranger November 19, 2009 12:16 AM EST
As an active duty soldier, who is also restricted by DADT, I can tell you that's probably because it is decidedly different for gay females serving in the military than it is for males. Just from what I've seen, gay females feel pretty open about their sexuality, and are respected by their peers. Straight guys love to swap stories with them. There is rampant homophobia though toward gay males. It's the age old paradox that some males feel still feel like it's cool to be lesbian, but gay males represent some threat to them. The problem though is that DADT poses an even greater threat to the female service members b/c of that false sense of security that they feel. Openly gay female service members sense that it's no big deal, until they get a Chapter 15, because somebody complained, and at that point, they are held to the letter of the law. I have met some wonderful lesbians who were model soldiers, who got discharged by Chapter 15 because they were gay.

What I dislike MOST about DADT is that by its very nature it forces gay service members to be dishonest with their peers about their personal lives, thus weakening the ties that bind us together. Think about your co-workers... don't they talk about their weekends, their families, loved ones? Don't your co-workers ask questions about your home life? For gay service members, it's a tough line to walk, b/c they can't be honest about their personal lives without compromising their jobs, but they feel guilty at the same time for being dishonest.
by hakori November 11, 2009 3:19 PM EST
Empire-George, I love it that you're on the loosing side of this debate, not only because you are WRONG, but because I love to see your little pointed heads spin when you don't get your way. You conservatives are all alike: you whine and belly ache about everything you don't like. Well, guess what, bud! America is BETTER than YOU! When gay Americans have all the same rights your sorry carcus wakes up everyday, I want to see your little brain box spin like a top! Why don't you go to a town hall meeting and shout down someone with a legitimate concern. That will make you feel like a real man...WUSSS!
Reply to this comment
by Empire-George November 11, 2009 3:27 PM EST
by hakori November 11, 2009 3:19 PM EST
\
What's wrong hack ? did my words ring true, that the Military is not subject to your political correctness.....if the military feels they wish to discriminate for ANY reason, they can....and do

Arse ? what are you British, limey ?

I couldn't care less about what other nations do, this is the U.S.A., not some fly by night pretend military, such as Europe.

sorry, unfortunately for you, discrimination is acceptable in the military for very good reason, and not only discrimination of bedroom preferences, but a whole host of reasons, as I have stated.

sorry libs, the military isn't a vehicle for your social experiments
by hakori November 11, 2009 2:58 PM EST
Empire-George, listen you radical wack job, take your bigotry and shove it up your nasty arse! It's ignorant scum like you that give my country a bad name. You freakin moron, what social experiment are you talking about? You "conservative" retards can't sort fact from fantasy. Name one problem from any nation's military that allows gays to serve? You are aware that quite a few nations do allow gays to serve? If you don't, it doesn't surprise me. Most of your ilk aren't even aware a world exists outside our boarders. You have to meet certain intellectual requirements as well to serve, so there's a reason for them to discriminate against you. So you belong to the 85 club, right? That's ok, lots of people with IQ's less than that have lead very productive lives. Look at Dubya.
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by hakori November 11, 2009 2:49 PM EST
The religious zealots, aka GOP base, are now calling for muslims to be ejected from the military. Gays and muslims...I wonder what minority they'll go after next. We better pray as a nation that the GOP doesn't get back into power anytime soon. They're dangerous, and if anyone doesn't see the parallels between them and the national socialist party in Germany of the 1930's, you're either not paying attention or you're too afraid to say anything. America, you better wake up to the radicals that now make up GOP. They'll be comning after you next if you don't tow their party line. If this party regains power before they've reformed and moderated, they'll undermine our system of government and democracy. You think that's an overstatement? Mark my word if America makes the mistake of giving them back power before they're ready.
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by Empire-George November 11, 2009 3:22 PM EST
The U.S. military is not some playground for your twisted social experiments lib....it's a priveledge to be in the military, not a right......so they have the right to discriminate for a whole number of reasons, if you are too tall, too short, too wacked, too gay, have a record, gender, etc.
by Empire-George November 11, 2009 2:21 PM EST
Barney Fwrank says "don't asssfk about my performance in congreff, and I won't tell you"

by hakori November 11, 2009 8:06 AM EST
But why? Because is discriminates against gays? Maybe that's why, or are you so frickin dense and ignorant that you think discrimination againt American citizens who happen to be gay is just hunky dory?
________________

The U.S. military is not some playground for your twisted social experiments lib....it's a priveledge to be in the military, not a right......so they have the right to discriminate for a whole number of reasons, too tall, too short, too wacked, record, gender, etc.
Reply to this comment
by Airborne_Ranger November 19, 2009 12:44 AM EST
Blatantly offensive. A soldier is a soldier, period. I serve proudly right beside a melting pot of all sorts of people from all walks of life, and we are all soldiers. I could give a rats ass if they are straight, bi, lesbian, or gay, we all work together for the common goal. What truly harms our military though & breeds distrust in the ranks though, Empire-George, is when these soldiers feel as though they are forced to lie about who they are. One thing that you are right about though, is that being in the US Military is a privilege and not a right, and I am privileged to serve beside many gay and lesbian soldiers who are out already without repercussion, because the Commanders and First Sergeants don't enforce this antiquated law. These soldiers worked hard to be where they are, and they do a damn good job, and I trust them all equally with my life, and I would gladly give my own to defend theirs.
by armyoftwelve November 10, 2009 10:44 PM EST
Well, it could be repealed.....but WHY!???
Reply to this comment
by hakori November 11, 2009 8:06 AM EST
But why? Because is discriminates against gays? Maybe that's why, or are you so frickin dense and ignorant that you think discrimination againt American citizens who happen to be gay is just hunky dory?
by RedWings_ninety_one November 11, 2009 1:37 PM EST
hakori,
Don't ask, Don't tell, is a way to avoid the new form of unapparent racism. Discriminating against gays is the new black racism, only this time it is unapparent to other people if it isn't told out loud or the way they dress/act. I have no problem with gay people, as long as they are not trying to hit on me or anything, I'm not trying to sound cocky.
by retm-w November 10, 2009 7:18 PM EST
This will get in attached to another bill, just like the hate crimes for guys got attached to the military pay raise.
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