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Tuesday, June 23, 2009
Rep. Luján Calls to Say He Supports Repealing Don't Ask, Don't Tell
I posted yesterday asking why none of New Mexico's Congressmen had signed on as a co-sponsor to H.R. 1283 -- Rep. Ellen Tauscher's bill to repeal Don't Ask, Don't Tell (DADT) and replace it with a policy of nondiscrimination on the basis of sexual orientation. I also wrote that none of our three members of the U.S. House had their names on a letter to President Obama signed by 77 House members urging him to suspend “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell” (DADT) and initiate a bilateral repeal process of the bill.
I'm very pleased to report that Rep. Ben Ray Luján (D, NM-03) called personally this afternoon to explain that there was some foul up with the co-sponsor list, and that he should, in fact, be listed as a co-sponsor of H.R. 1283. Rep. Luján said he supports the repeal of DADT and the letter to the President urging him to act. He said he was checking with his staff and others to find out what had happened, but he wanted to make sure folks back in New Mexico knew of his support for the repeal of DADT.
This is excellent news, and I appreciate Rep. Luján taking time out of his busy schedule in Washington to set the record straight back home. Rah!
Meanwhile, I haven't heard anything to indicate that Rep. Martin Heinrich or Rep. Harry Teague support the repeal of DADT.
While I'm at it, I thought I'd encourage you to visit Rep. Luján's revamped Congressional website. The new setup has all the bells and whistles including a new blog where you can get the news every morning on Rep. Luján's activities. You can keep up with the Congressman's public events here. Another cool feature is a Student's Page with links to government info that's of interest to students from kindergarten thru the 12th grade.
You can also catch up with Rep. Luján on Facebook and Twitter.
June 23, 2009 at 03:29 PM in Civil Liberties, GLBT Rights, Military Affairs, NM Congressional Delegation, Rep. Ben Ray Lujan | Permalink
Comments
Thanks Rep. Lujan!! It is only right.
Posted by: mary ellen | Jun 23, 2009 5:54:19 PM
Yes, thank you Rep Lujan!
Posted by: VP | Jun 24, 2009 6:48:45 AM
Thanks for making that clear Rep, Lujan-good to know that at least one of our congressmen is for equal rights in the military, About a million gay or lesbians are vets who served their nation with distinction and many thousands are in the military now. Their service should be welcomed and honored. If getting rid of DADT is good enough for a former member of the Joint Chiefs of Staff it should be supported by everyone who is fair minded.
Posted by: Ron (vet) | Jun 24, 2009 8:23:39 AM
I can somewhat understand Harry Teague avoiding this issue but Martin Heinrich? Where are you Martin? Take a stand!
Posted by: NE Heights Voter | Jun 24, 2009 9:30:50 AM
I have a question about DATL. If it is overturned what happens?
Are gays/transgender given seperate bathrooms/sleeping common areas? Just curious. Military combat is usually intense and having openly gay people watching you naked in the shower or sleeping in the cot next to you seems like a catalyst for violence and dangerous situations. Will there be protocol to prevent unwanted advances from one-side and violence from the other?
I am just concerned. Alot of the military folks are conservatives. Maybe they are not radicals but nonetheless they are conservative. It just seems mixing controversial activities and guns needs to be planned out carefully.
Posted by: John | Jun 24, 2009 11:49:13 AM
Guess what John. GLBT people are already in the service in large numbers. Negative events are few and far between. The militaries of many other nations allow GLBT folks to serve, like the Brits and the Israelis.
One of the main problems in the military right now is with male soldiers harassing and even raping women soldiers. Should we get rid of all the male soldiers?
Posted by: Another vet | Jun 24, 2009 12:42:58 PM
John, I'd like to respond to at least some of your questions. How the repeal would be instituted essentially would be up to the military itself. Many suggest that this replace the language that's now in the Code:
"a ban in the Manual for Courts-Martial
on all sexual acts that are prejudicial to good order and discipline.”
Homosexuals would be treated the same as heterosexuals in that they would be disciplined for sexual improprieties or harassment.
Perhaps the best argument that the repeal would not result in significant problems is the fact that the British military experienced very few problems when it began accepting LGBT members in 2000.
See this Report by the Center for American Progress, which refers to other studies on what happened in England.
Posted by: barb | Jun 24, 2009 1:49:43 PM
