The American Humanist Association (AHA) today called on Congress to quickly
pass legislation to lift the military’s ban on openly serving gays and
lesbians. The AHA statement follows Thursday’s ruling by a federal judge in California that the
military’s controversial “don’t ask, don’t tell” policy is
unconstitutional.
“We’ve heard from the American people, we’ve heard from military
leaders, and now we’ve heard from a federal judge: ‘Don’t ask, don’t tell’ is a
discriminatory policy that needs to go. It’s time now for Congress to act
swiftly to end the policy,” said Roy Speckhardt, executive director of the
American Humanist Association.
Language to repeal “don’t ask, don’t tell” is contained in defense
authorization bills in both the U.S. Senate and House of Representatives.
Similarly, the Military Readiness Enhancement Act of 2009, which was introduced
in both chambers of Congress, would also repeal the ban. The American Humanist
Association has supported these efforts to repeal “don’t ask, don’t tell.”
A forerunner in the fight for LGBT equality, the AHA has been among the
first to support civil rights, equal pay for equal work and the right for
same-sex couples to marry. The AHA recently launched the LGBT Humanist Council
to advance equality for lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender people and their
families (http://www.lgbthumanists.org/).
The American Humanist Association (www.americanhumanist.org)
advocates for the rights and viewpoints of humanists. Founded in 1941 and
headquartered in Washington, D.C.,
its work is extended through more than 100 local chapters and affiliates across
America.
AHA is a founder member of the International Humanist and Ethical Union.