Praises Pentagon’s recommendation to repeal ‘Don’t Ask Don’t Tell,’ Illinois civil unions bill

WASHINGTON—Today, U.S. Rep. Mike Quigley (IL-05) issued the following statement after the Pentagon recommended the repeal of ‘Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell’ and the Illinois House of Representatives passed the Religious Freedom Protection and Civil Union Act.

“From the statehouse in Springfield to the Pentagon in Washington, we saw equality take an important step forward today.  Today’s progress on both fronts shows all levels of government continuing to realize that full civil rights must be extended to all Americans.  I applaud the Illinois House for embracing equality and passing the civil unions bill, as well as the Pentagon for recognizing the threat to our national security posed by ‘Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell.’  While we did not need a survey to tell us repealing this morally repugnant policy is the right thing to do, I join Secretary Gates in urging the Senate to end it immediately. We took important steps forward today, and we have many more ahead.”