July 6, 2011

Statement On Ninth Circuit Order To Halt Enforcement Of DADT

Los Angeles – Palm Center director Aaron Belkin issued the following statement on the Ninth Circuit’s reinstatement of the injunction against enforcing “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell”:

“All three branches of government appear to have reached the same conclusion about military discrimination against gays and lesbians — it is unconstitutional, harmful to individuals, and does not serve the purposes of the U.S. military. While it is yet to be determined whether the final decision will be made by the courts or the Congressionally-mandated certification process, the end of ‘don’t ask, don’t tell’ is close at hand. More work remains to be done on behalf of transgendered troops and the provision of equal benefits to all service members, but that said, we are on the precipice of achieving an historic victory.”