National Call-In Day Planned For DADT Repeal
WASHINGTON – The Human Rights Campaign today announced a national call-in day taking place tomorrow to encourage Senators to take up the National Defense Authorization Act before they recess for the elections. The NDAA contains language to repeal the failed “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell” law that has hurt our national security.
“While many believe repeal of this odious law is a foregone conclusion, the real truth is that this is not yet a done deal,” said Human Rights Campaign President Joe Solmonese. “If the more than 75 percent of fair-minded Americans who recognize this as a failed law do not speak up, a small group of Senators with their own narrow political agendas could win out.”
Congress returns Monday from their August recess and will have only several weeks of work before breaking again for the upcoming November elections. Senate leaders have indicated that the defense bill – to which “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell” repeal is attached – is on a list of possible bills on which they may vote.
“We've had to fight to the end for every victory we've won, and this is no different,” added Solmonese. “If we don't speak up now, our window for repeal could close.”
HRC will launch a full national action alert tomorrow encouraging members and supporters to contact their Senators immediately and ask that they push for repeal of “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell” in the next four weeks.
Earlier this week HRC staff delivered thousands of postcards, petition signatures and handwritten letters to Senators with constituent messages pushing for repeal. Additionally for the past several weeks, HRC field staff – along with the Servicemembers Legal Defense Network team – have been generating grassroots activity in key states through our Countdown 2010 program.
The Human Rights Campaign is America’s largest civil rights organization working to achieve lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender equality. By inspiring and engaging all Americans, HRC strives to end discrimination against LGBT citizens and realize a nation that achieves fundamental fairness and equality for all.
