ERLC’s Land says don’t repeal ‘don’t ask, don’t tell’

WASHINGTON — Southern Baptist public policy specialist Richard Land called on congressional members Feb. 2 to oppose legislation that would overturn the ban on open homosexuals serving in the U.S. military.

Writing to 79 selected members of the House of Representatives, Land told them The Ethics & Religious Liberty Commission (ERLC) strongly opposes the Military Readiness Enhancement Act. Land is the ERLC’s president.

Land’s letter was sent the same day the Secretary of Defense Robert Gates and Joint Chiefs of Staff Chairman Mike Mullen told a Senate committee they support President Obama’s intention to repeal what is known as the “don’t ask, don’t tell” policy. Enactment of the bill would harm troop morale and potentially result in a significant loss of service members, Land told the House members.

Obama declared during the Jan. 27 State of the Union address he would work this year “with Congress and our military to finally repeal the law that denies gay Americans the right to serve the country they love because of who they are.”

Gates told the Senate Armed Services Committee that the Pentagon is working toward implementation of such a repeal but acknowledged reversal of the ban is up to Congress. The 1993 law enacted by a Democrat-controlled Congress and signed by President Clinton prevents homosexuals from serving openly. The policy also prohibits the military from asking recruits on the front end if they are homosexual.  (TAB)