August 21, 2008

For the Senate:
The Honorable ___________
U.S. Senate
Washington D.C., 20510

For the House of Representatives:
The Honorable ___________
U.S. House of Representatives
Washington D.C., 20515

Dear Senator ___________: (or Dear Congressman/Congresswoman:)

I am writing to urge you to end military rules that discriminate against gay and lesbian servicemembers. Specifically, I urge you to support the repeal of 10 USC 654, the "don't ask, don't tell" policy codified in 1993.

I oppose the discharge of men and women who serve their country with courage, skill, and distinction simply because of their sexual orientation. I believe the "don't ask, don't tell" policy is based on outdated prejudices, violates fundamental human rights, and has not been shown to further the U.S. military's effectiveness. Instead, the policy is counterproductive: it denies the country the service of skilled, trained, and dedicated servicemembers.

The Pentagon claims that it implements the "don't ask, don't tell" policy fairly, but fairness is impossible where the policy itself is treats people unequally. I understand that military life is governed by rules and strictures necessary to the military mission that would have no place in civilian life. However, rules that pander to prejudice are not necessary to the military mission. Codes of conduct that apply to all servicemembers, without regard to sexual orientation, could address any individual problems that might arise from ending discriminatory policies against gays and lesbians.

I am also very concerned about anti-gay harassment in the military. The Department of Defense has documented the hostile environment for gay and lesbian servicemembers that has thrived under the "don't ask, don't tell" policy. The policy perpetuates anti-gay harassment by creating a separate, less-than-equal class of servicemembers vulnerable to abuse. Because of the policy, servicemembers endure anti-gay threats or physical attacks in silence for fear that reporting them will lead to disclosure of their sexual orientation and hence a discharge under the policy.

The Pentagon has done little to protect gay and lesbian servicemembers from hostile treatment or violence by other servicemembers. In response to its own survey's findings and high-profile violent attacks against servicemembers perceived to be gay, the Pentagon announced in July 2000 an Action Plan to combat anti-gay harassment. Yet, two-and-a-half years later, the plan has not been implemented.

The United States prides itself on its support for tolerance and human rights. You must act to ensure that the U.S. military treats all of its servicemembers with dignity and fairness by ending the discriminatory "don't ask, don't tell" policy.

Sincerely,

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