Don't Ask, Don't Tell: Unconstitutional Baby!

Kudos to the Log Cabin Republicans for bringing this challenge of DADT to court.

Some quotes:


Statement from HRC President Joe Solmonese regarding a decision by a federal judge ruling the ban on openly lesbian and gay service members unconstitutional:

“Today a federal judge affirmed what the vast majority of the American people know to be true – that it’s time for the discriminatory ‘Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell’ law to be sent to the dustbin of history.  With this legal victory in hand, Congress is right now in a perfect position to strengthen our national security by ending a law that has discharged thousands of capable service members. With House passage already secured, the Senate can and should vote in the next few weeks to repeal ‘Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell’ and allow every qualified man and woman the chance to serve with honor.”

Statement from Log Cabin Republicans and White & Case

We are pleased to report that US District Judge Virginia Phillips ruled in favor of Log Cabin Republicans in the case Log Cabin Republicans vs. The United States.  Judge Phillips found in favor of Log Cabin Republicans on both due process and first amendment claims.  The court will now enter a permanent injunction barring further enforcement of the US government’s Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell policy.  We are studying the 86-page opinion and will have more to say soon.  The entire opinion can be viewed at: http://online.logcabin.org/log-cabin-republicans-vs-usa.html

Statement from Aubrey Sarvis, Army veteran and executive director of Servicemembers Legal Defense Network:

“We’re pleased by the judge's decision, but this decision is likely to be appealed and will linger for years.  Congress made the DADT law 17 years ago and Congress should repeal it. The Senate will have the opportunity to do just that this month and most Americans think the Senate should seize it.”

Statement from Chad Griffin, Board President, The American Foundation for Equal Rights on Court's Ruling in "Don't Ask, Don't Tell" Case
 

"Today's court decision declaring "Don't Ask, Don't Tell" unconstitutional is yet another significant and long-overdue step toward full equality for all Americans.  Along with the recent federal court decisions on DOMA and Proposition 8, it is clear that our nation is moving toward the day when every American will be treated equally under the law, as is required by our Constitution."

http://www.equalrightsfoundation.org/press-releases/afer-statement-on-dadt-ruling

Statement from National Stonewall Democrats

“ We demand Senate Republicans rise above the obstructionism they’ve been playing at... and let a vote happen on what the vast majority of Americans want: repeal of DADT.”

Michael Mitchell, the Executive Director of the National Stonewall Democrats had this to say regarding the Federal Court’s decision finding Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell Unconstitutional:

“Today’s Federal court decision calling the Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell policy unconstitutional on grounds that it violates gay military members' rights to free speech, due process and open association is another nail in the coffin of the policy.”

Mitchell continued, “We’re glad that the Federal court agrees with President Obama’s position: that Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell needs to come to an end. Our Senators need to hear from their constituents demanding repeal. We also call on Senate Republicans to rise above the obstructionism they’ve been playing at for months and let a vote happen on what the vast majority of Americans want: repeal of DADT.”