Two Gay Armed Forces Activist Organizations Announce Support Passage Of 2011 Defense Authorization Act Even If Provision Repealing Policy Prohibiting Openly Gay Service Members Removed

Odd news, the Palm Center reporting Monday that OutServe And Knights Out have issued a joint statement in response to the current efforts in Congress to filibuster the FY2011 National Defense Authorization Act because it includes a conditional repeal of the military ban on openly service members, the statement in effect supporting defense spending even if the provision to repeal “don’t ask, don’t tell is purged from the bill. “There is nothing more important than loyalty to those with whom we serve. This means ensuring that no one issue interferes with funding the courageous and selfless work our fellow service members are doing around the world. Therefore, on behalf of the more than 1,000 active duty gay and lesbian service members and 500 gay and lesbian we represent, we respectfully urge Congress to pass the FY 2011 National Defense Authorization Act to fund aircraft, weapons, combat vehicles, ammunition and promised pay-raises for all troops, whether or not the repeal of “don’t ask, don’t tell’ is included. To be clear, we will continue to fight for our integrity as gay and lesbian service members and we hope that legislative action in Congress can be taken in 2010 to lift the ban. With the support of President Obama, Chairman Mullen, Secretary Gates and the reported seventy-percent of service members surveyed, a new day of openly gay service is at hand if Congress acts during this lame duck session. We are proud to serve in the United States Armed Forces today and tomorrow.”