'Don't Ask, Don't Tell' Debacle: Where We Are & Where We Go

[Shana A]

Waymon Hudson
Posted: September 24, 2010 11:36 AM

'Don't Ask, Don't Tell' Debacle: Where We Are & Where We Go

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/waymon-hudson/dont-ask-dont-tell-debacl_b_737165.html

In yet another disappointing blow to the LGBT community, its allies, and equality, the Republicans in the Senate (with the help of two Blue Dog Democrats) successfully filibustered and killed the Defense Authorization Bill which contained the legislative repeal of the discriminatory "Don't Ask, Don't Tell" policy that bans open services by gays and lesbians in the military.

By a vote of 56-43, a unanimous GOP block of Senators led by John McCain, and joined by Senators Pryor & Blanche Lincoln (both Democrats from Arkansas), blocked the debate and vote for cloture on the Authorization Bill. On a side note, both of Illinois' Democratic Senators, Dick Durbin and Roland Burris, voted for repeal of DADT. In laymen's terms: for the first time in history, the Defense Authorization Bill was filibustered and killed all in the name of homophobia and outright bigotry against LGBT Americans.