Dear Platform Committee Members:

It has been almost fifteen years since Congress passed “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell.” In the coming weeks, you have the opportunity to address this failed policy.

"Don't Ask, Don't Tell" does not work. It is wasteful, discriminatory, and harms our military.

More than 12,500 service members have already been discharged under "Don't Ask, Don't Tell” – including nearly 60 lesbian, gay and bisexual Arabic linguists. An estimated 65,000 gay Americans serve in our military in silence, in fear that they will be the next person discharged. At a time when our military is already stretched thin, it makes no sense to prohibit qualified individuals from serving because of their sexual orientation.

For the sake of equality and a stronger military, we ask that you add language to your party’s 2008 Platform that calls for repealing “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell,” and replacing it with a non-discrimination law.

According to a poll published in the Washington Post last month, 75 percent of Americans believe that gay people who are open about their sexual orientation should be allowed to serve in the military. We hope that you will help your political party stand with the majority of Americans to lift the ban.

SINCERELY,