Colorado Senator Mark Udall, a member of the Senate Armed Services Committee, is calling for the repeal of Don’t Ask Don’t Tell (DADT) in 2010.

In a statement on his blog, Senator Udall says:

I am a longtime advocate for repealing “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell,” which prohibits gay men and women from serving openly in the military, and today I had the chance to speak with three former service members discharged under that law.  Veterans Mike Almy, Stacy Vasquez and David Hall met with me to speak about their service and how this misguided policy ended it.  They each served with distinction, and it is shameful that they were discharged for no reason other than their sexual orientation.

As a member of the Senate Armed Services Committee, I believe “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell” is harmful to our national security and readiness—especially since we are embroiled in two wars.  And I believe the stories of these former service members reinforce the need to repeal “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell.”

The Pentagon is studying how to implement an end to “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell,” and while I agree that is a necessary step, I also believe strongly that we must repeal it this year.  I will continue to work with other senators to ensure that the repeal is included in the Defense Authorization bill, which will be marked up in the Senate Armed Services Committee next month.  But we still face an uphill battle, and we will need a bipartisan push to clinch this urgent effort.  The stories these dismissed service members told me today are extremely powerful and compelling, and they’ll help as I urge my colleagues to support repeal.  The countless men and women who currently are unable to serve our country honestly deserve a change.  And I believe it’s imperative for our national security..

(photo: http://markudall.senate.gov)

Tags: Colorado, DADT, Discrimination, Don't Ask Don't Tell, Gay Rights, LGBT, Workplace Benefits, Workplace Discrimination