News

Servicemembers Deserve Clarity from Obama on "Don't Ask, Don't Tell"

July 11, 2011

(Washington, DC) - The 9th Circuit Court of Appeals today issued an order requiring that the Obama administration Department of Justice stop dodging the question and make clear whether it intends to continue defending the constitutionality of 'Don't Ask, Don't Tell.'

"After months of doublespeak from the Obama administration's lawyers, the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals has demanded that the Department of Justice clarify its position on the constitutionality of 'Don't Ask, Don't Tell.'" said R. Clarke Cooper, Log Cabin Republicans Executive Director who is also a combat veteran and captain in the United States Army Reserve. "Log Cabin Republicans have been fighting against 'Don't Ask, Don't Tell' in court for years. The ruling in Log Cabin Republicans v. United States set an important precedent by showing that discrimination against gay and lesbian Americans is unconstitutional. The ruling in LCR v. US is worth defending as long as "Don't Ask, Don't Tell" remains on the books."

Log Cabin Republicans have maintained a three-front strategy against 'Don't Ask, Don't Tell,' lobbying for repeal in Congress, consulting with the Department of Defense, and filing suit in federal court. The case went to trial in July of 2010, and Judge Virginia Phillips ruled on September 9, 2010 that the policy violated the First and Fifth Amendments of the Constitution.