FAMUans rally for repeal of “Don’t Ask Don’t Tell”

Two FAMU alumni, Kendrick Meek and Sharon J. Lettman, have emerged as high-profile advocates of repealing the nearly 20-year old “Don’t Ask Don’t Tell” (DADT) law. DADT mandates the discharge of openly gay, lesbian, and bisexual soldiers.

In late May, the full U.S. House of Representatives and the Senate Armed Services Committee voted in favor of the amendment to repeal DADT, which was included in the National Defense Authorization Act. The repeal will not take effect until the Pentagon completes a review of how to implement the repeal, and U.S. President Barack Obama, Defense Secretary Robert Gates, and the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Admiral Mike Mullen certify that it is “consistent with the military's standards of readiness, effectiveness, unit cohesion and recruitment and retention.”

Meek, a congressman and candidate for the U.S. Senate, applauded the White House for announcing that it would back DADT’s repeal.

“For far too long, the Pentagon's ‘Don't Ask, Don't Tell’ policy has dishonored those who serve our country so nobly,” Meek said. “We must not let political games or ideological squabbles overwhelm our best chance to bring about this long-sought change. The current policy is not only discriminatory to so many Americans, but is wrong for our national security.”

Meek is encouraging Floridians to sign a petition on his campaign website supporting a vote to remove the law.

DADT was to be a temporary law to help the military transition into the open integration of gay and lesbian people in the ranks of the armed services. Since its incorporation, more than 13,500 military personnel have been discharged under the law. Black lesbians have been discharged at three times the rate at which they serve.

Lettman, executive director of the National Black Justice Coalition, also thinks it is time to get rid of DADT for good.

“‘Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell’ has thwarted our military readiness by discharging linguists, medics, nurses, high ranking officers, pilots, engineers, specialists, and the rank and file of patriotic men and women who have been asked to hide in the closet and lie every day,” Lettman said. “We look forward to the completion of the Pentagon’s working group report on how to repeal the law, and certification of the law by government and military officials.”