Carson Statement On Don't Ask, Don't Tell Ruling

Statement

Congressman André Carson released the following statement regarding today's injunction issued by a federal judge stopping the military from enforcing its "Don't Ask, Don't Tell" (DADT) policy, which bans gays and lesbians from serving openly in uniform:

"Efforts to repeal Don't Ask, Don't Tell have failed most recently in the Senate, but today's injunction will halt this extremely flawed policy while still allowing the Department of Defense to complete its review.

"Any patriotic American willing to give his or her life in defense of country should never be forced to lie about who they are in order to continue their service. This policy has removed hundreds of qualified troops from service and caused the kind of personal conflict that should never be an issue for the brave men and women in our military.

"It is my hope that Don't Ask, Don't Tell is permanently repealed when Congress goes back into session because not only is it an important equal rights issue, but it's also a national security issue."

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