Unitarian Universalists call for repeal of 'Don't Ask, Don't Tell'

[Ian David]

Press Release

Unitarian Universalists call for repeal of 'Don't Ask, Don't Tell'

WASHINGTON, DC -- On June 24, the Unitarian Universalist Association of Congregations concluded its annual General Assembly in Portland, OR with passage of a statement calling for repeal of the U.S. Military's "Don't Ask, Don't Tell" ban on lesbian, gay and bisexual service members. The Action of Immediate Witness, which calls for passage of the Military Readiness Enhancement Act (H.R. 1246), a Congressional bill to repeal the law, was overwhelmingly supported by the 6000 attendees at the conference.

"People of compassionate faith understand the importance of ending discrimination in our Armed Forces," said Captain Joan Darrah, USN (Ret.), a member of Servicemembers Legal Defense Network's (SLDN) Advisory Board, who was instrumental in the resolution's passage. "SLDN salutes the Unitarian Universalist Association of Congregations for their tireless efforts in building grassroots momentum for repeal. Our nation must treat all service members with dignity and respect, but 'Don't Ask, Don't Tell' denies that honor to our lesbian, gay and bisexual personnel."

"I am proud that the Unitarian Universalists have taken a strong stand in support of lesbian gay bisexual and transgendered patriots," said Unitarian minister, SLDN Advisory Board member and Master Chief Petty Officer of the Coast Guard (Ret.) Vincent Patton. "The action of the General Assembly puts the Unitarian Universalist Association at the forefront of the national effort to improve our nation's security by embracing America's best and brightest, including lesbian gay bisexual and transgendered Americans who have answered our nation's call to duty."

The Unitarian Universalist Association consists of over 1,010 congregations in the United States, with over 220,000 members, and is served by more than 1,100 ministers. The statement by the General Assembly calls upon its individual members to pledge themselves to work for repeal of "Don't Ask, Don't Tell." For more information on the UUA, visit http://www.uua.org/

Servicemembers Legal Defense Network is a national, non-profit legal services, watchdog and policy organization dedicated to ending discrimination against and harassment of military personnel affected by 'Don't Ask, Don't Tell' and related forms of intolerance. For more information, visit http://www.sldn.org/.

More:
http://www.sldn.org/templates/press/record.html?section=2&record=4211

[applegrove]

1. I love the UUs.