Civil and Human Rights Coalition on DADT Repeal: “An Integrated Military a Moral Imperative for our Country”

Wade Henderson, president and CEO of The Leadership Conference on Civil and Human Rights, issued the following statement after the Senate voted to repeal the “don’t ask, don’t tell” policy:

“Today’s victory is a tremendous one for a nation that once denied women and African Americans the opportunity to serve. An integrated military, inclusive of gay and lesbian service members, is a moral imperative for our nation. We in the civil and human rights community believed that in 1948 when this country first allowed women and African Americans to serve in the military and we also believe that today.

‘Don’t ask, don’t tell’ turned its back on the principle that people who are willing and able to do a job should be given a fair opportunity to do so. This is not only one of the most important principles behind the struggle to guarantee the civil and human rights of all people – it is also a matter of sound military strategy and common sense.

Congressman Al Green summed up this injustice perfectly on the House Floor, stating ‘I will not ask people who are willing to die for my country to live a lie for my country.’ The entire civil and human rights community echoes this sentiment as we continue to strive for an America that’s as good as its ideals in the coming Congress.”