Tuesday, October 12, 2010

Judge Orders International End to DADT

Integrity USA celebrates Federal Judge Virginia Phillips' order today to stop the enforcement of "Don't Ask Don't Tell" in the military. "We have long depended on our soldiers to be valiant protectors of America," said Max Niedzwiecki, Executive Director of Integrity USA. "With the repeal of Don't Ask Don't Tell, gay and lesbian soldiers will finally be able to be open about their personal lives. It is through telling our stories and being honest about who we are that we are able to change hearts and minds. This is a great day for the American military and all of us who depend on them."

The Rev. Canon Albert Ogle, Integrity's Vice President for National and International Affairs, said, "We celebrate the order to end DADT.  This discrimination by the nation's largest employer has ruined the careers of over 13000 thousand gay and lesbian patriots who bravely served their country. Today's decision is another small but significant step to address the pervasive and deeply held institutional homophobia that still pervades every aspect of our national life, secular and religious."

Integrity USA is very aware that there might be appeals to this ruling. We commit to work with secular and religious groups, our legislators, and our communities to bring an end to all discrimination, wherever it lives, and make the radically inclusive love of God tangible everywhere.

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