U.S. Senate votes to end filibuster of ‘Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell’ repeal bill

We applaud the Senate’s cloture vote of 63-33 today allowing the “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell” repeal bill to proceed to the full Senate for a vote. The Task Force has been working in coalition with other organizations advocating for repeal of the military ban on openly lesbian, gay and bisexual service members.

Statement by Rea Carey, Executive Director, National Gay and Lesbian Task Force:

This vote today marks a critical step toward creating a path that could end in lesbian, gay and bisexual people finally being able to serve openly, honestly, and to great benefit of our country. Three-quarters of Americans say ‘Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell’ should be repealed, as do top military leaders. We thank those senators who supported cloture today, and urge the full Senate to pass ‘Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell’ repeal. It’s time to end this costly and discriminatory policy. Until then, the lives and careers of thousands of courageous, qualified and patriotic service members will continue to hang in the balance.