Washington, DC -- Congressman Eliot Engel praised the ruling of a federal court in California that ruled the military could no longer enforce the policy of Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell. The same judge a month ago said DADT was unconstitutional.

Rep. Engel, a New York Democrat said, “Gay Americans must not be denied the right to serve the country they love. They should have the same rights as others because of who they are – Americans.  Bravery and dedication are not solely possessed by heterosexuals.  Federal and state governments should not be denying rights to law-abiding citizens for no good reason.”

Rep. Engel has been a longtime supporter of repealing this rule, which has led to discrimination against Lesbian, Gay Bisexual, Transgender (LGBT) service members.  In May he voted for legislation to repeal the policy.  He was one of 75 House members in June 2009 who asked President Obama to direct the Defense Department to immediately suspend DADT, and work for its repeal. The financial cost of administering “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell” from 1994-2008 was $555.2 million, according to a study by the Williams Institute. 

“I am hopeful that this is the beginning of the end for this policy.  This discriminatory policy has not only hurt the lives of patriotic LGBT service personnel, but it has harmed our military, wasted needed resources, and violates the Constitution.  From senior US Air Force pilots, whose training cost millions of dollars, to critically needed Arabic linguists, to hundreds of other mission specialists, we have shockingly undercut our own security at a time of war by kicking out some of the best and the brightest members of our armed forces.

“It is disgraceful that in the modern era, citizens are unable to be open about who they are while serving their country.  Gay and lesbian service members should enjoy the same respect as other Americans in uniform.”

According to the Legal Defense Network, more than 13,500 service members have been discharged under DADT since 1994.  This number includes many decorated officers, 54 service members with Arabic training and more than 750 in critical operations.  There are 25 other countries who allow openly gay service members in their armed forces, including Australia, Israel, France, Germany, Italy and the United Kingdom.  In a study by the Palm Center, those 25 countries said there was no overall decline in the effectiveness of the military due to the lifting of the ban on gay service members.

Key current and former high ranking military officials, including Admiral Michael Mullen, Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, and Generals Colin Powell and John Shalikashvili, both former Chairmen of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, support the repeal of Don't Ask, Don't Tell.

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