LGBT & STR8 Allies for Ending "Don't Ask, Don't Tell"

General McChrystal has requested 40,000 additional troops to support America's efforts in Afghanistan.  Although the U.S. Military is already experiencing critical manpower shortages, it continues its discriminatory policy of discharging qualified and valuable members of the military under the "Don't Ask, Don't Tell" (DADT) policy because of their sexual orientation. 

This petition is for LGBT and Straight Allies who support the repeal of "Don't Ask, Don't Tell" and support Congress passing the Military Readiness Enhancement Act (HR 1283).  Furthermore this petition seeks to provide them with a list of patriotic American's who are willing to answer the call to duty and willing to serve in the United States Military provided "Don't Ask, Don't Tell" is repealed.       

General McChrystal has requested 40,000 additional troops to support America's efforts in Afghanistan.  Although the U.S. Military is already experiencing critical manpower shortages, it continues its discriminatory policy of discharging qualified and valuable members of the military under the "Don't Ask, Don't Tell" (DADT) policy because of their sexual orientation. 

This petition is for LGBT and Straight Allies who support the repeal of "Don't Ask, Don't Tell" and support Congress passing the Military Readiness Enhancement Act (HR 1283).  Furthermore this petition seeks to provide them with a list of patriotic American's who are willing to answer the call to duty and willing to serve in the United States Military provided "Don't Ask, Don't Tell" is repealed.       

We the undersigned are heeding the call of General McChrystal's request for 40,000 more troops to support the United States mission in Afghanistan.  We are pledging to join or rejoin the ranks of the military in furtherance of our military's goals and objectives; Provided President Obama lives up to his promise to repeal "Don't Ask, Don't Tell" in a timely manner by working with the Secretary of Defense, Joint Chiefs of Staff and Congress to pass the Military Readiness Enhancement Act (HR 1283). 

Each person signing this petition is, "Able, willing and ready," to serve our country and meets the minimum standard requirements to be a member of the United States Military:

1) U.S. citizen or Permanent Resident Alien (With INS I-151/I-551 "Green Card")
2) Are between the age of 18-49 (17 with prenatal consent)
3) Possess a High School Diploma or GED
4) Are in good physical condition, of appropriate height/weight standards and able to pass a standard physical screening test  

There have been many gay, lesbian and bisexual American's who have gone before us and today hundreds continue to serve in silence- We find it a great travesty of injustice that our system of governance, founded on the promises and principles written in the Declaration of Independence and our Constitution, would deny the same rights and protections to those who have pledged their very lives to pay the price to protect the American Dream of Freedom and Democracy.   We are further outraged by the bigoted rhetoric of supporters of "Don't Ask, Don't Tell" (DADT); a flawed public policy that not only destroys the lives of great service members but deters young, patriotic, gay American youth from serving in our Country Armed Forces. A denial that bars them from reaping the benefits of learning self-mastery, discipline and leading a life founded on the core values of Honor, Courage and Commitment.       

Today, supporters of DADT are using the same antiquates evidence about threats to "Unit Cohesiveness,"as the basis of their argument against gays serving openly, as used in the past to bar other minority groups from service.  Ironically, these fallacies are very similar to the ones used to discriminate against and bar African-Americans, Native American's, Asians and Women from serving in our military.  Unlike what these pundits would try to lead the American people to believe, our History has told another story. 

Each of these groups have produced Solder, Sailors, Marines, and Airman who have helped win wars, secure peace and tranquility and some have given their life to preserve freedom and democracy for all Americans.  Many have become great generals, leaders, heroes, entertainers, Civil Rights Leaders, artist and Medal of Honor recipients such as General Colin Powell (U.S. Army), Congressman Daniel k Inouye (U.S. Army), Actress Bea Arthur (U.S. Marine Corps), President Lyndon B. Johnson (U.S. Navy), Carl Gorman (U.S. Marine Corps), and John Ortega (U.S. Navy).  Yet even as we write, gay military heroes remain unsung, serve in silence and live in fear of being the next victim's of "Don't Ask, Don't Tell."

Today as American's, we have come to a crossroads and have chosen to stop allowing gay, lesbian, and bisexual service members and those willing to serve to be treated unequally.  Furthermore, will not allow them to continue to drink from an implied, "Separate but equal," fountain of equality and seek your help to ensure that we are all protected and treated equally under the law. 

At the end of the day, men and women who serve in the military care less about whether a person is black, white, brown, yellow, gay or purple-as long as they can trust the person to get the job done and to ensure that they all go home at the end of the day.  Gay, lesbian and bisexual service members have always been in the U.S. Military and always will be there to serve our country.  It is time for our government to recognize our sacrifices by celebrating our service as openly gay members of the military.

We strongly urge you to strengthen our military's readiness by:

(1) Repealing the discriminatory "Don't Ask, Don't Tell" policy

(2) Supporting the Military Readiness Enhancement Act (HR 1283) and

(3) To allow the undersigned gay signers of this petition to proudly serve openly in the Unites States Military.

Thank you for taking the time to consider my comments.  I eagerly await your response.