It’s all over the news. Today the US District Court, Central District of California, ruled that the legislation known as Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell is unconstitutional. While it is possible that the Obama administration will appeal this decision, moving it to the Supreme Court, this is the second major victory for GLBT rights in recent weeks, following swiftly on the heels of the decision that laws restricting same-sex marriage are unconstitutional.
Judge Virginia A. Phillips filed her opinion today, and this 85-page ruling can be found at the link above. This is a great victory for everyone who believes in equal rights, and that religion should keep its hands out of politics. Religious bigotry is and always has been at the heart of this discriminatory policy, and it has harmed military readiness by discharging thousands of qualified, willing individuals who enlisted or who had gone through expensive officer training to serve in the US military in all its branches. This is an affirmation of the value and dignity of gay, lesbian and bisexual servicemembers and all GLBT veterans who served under the threat of discharge for simply being who and what they are.
It is possible, as I noted, that the Obama administration may attempt to appeal, but the day is coming soon when our equality is acknowledged within the military. This is a thing worth celebrating.
I saw that, too. Ole Boy Phelps must really be seething right about now.
I just keep hoping one day soon he’ll finally meet his god and they can have a good, long chat about what he’s been up to. I would love to be a fly on the wall for that.
You and me both, let me tell you. That’s a kind of hatred we can really do without in this world.
http://www.armytimes.com/news/2010/09/ap-lesbian-maj-margaret-witt-seeks-reinstatement-091310/ – Lesbian maj. seeks reinstatement in trial
Just thought this article was pretty relevant!
Excellent!