Lift The Ban!

Lift the Ban Headquarters

Note: 100% of ALL donated lindens will be donated directly, once a month, to the Service Member’s Legal Defense Network.

1. History of Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell

The policy was introduced as a compromise measure in 1993 and approved by then President Bill Clinton who, while campaigning for the Presidency, had promised to allow all citizens regardless of sexual orientation to serve openly in the military, a departure from the then complete ban on those who are not heterosexual. The actual policy was crafted by Colin Powell and has been maintained by Clinton’s successor, George W. Bush.

2. Public Opinion

Polls have shown that a large majority of the American public favors allowing gay and lesbian people to serve openly in the US military. A national poll conducted in May 2005 by the Boston Globe showed 79% of participants having nothing against openly gay people from serving in the military. A Pew Research Center survey conducted in March 2006 showed that 60% favor allowing gays and lesbians to serve openly in the military, with 32% opposed. 

3. Plain Facts

••••• Banning Gays Hurts Military Readiness: •••••

• Military readiness is best served by recruiting and retaining the
best and brightest young Americans into military service. “Don’t
Ask, Don’t Tell” hurts military readiness by discouraging thousands
of talented and patriotic Americans from military service.

• Post-September 11, 2001 operations in Afghanistan and Iraq
strain the force, making it increasingly hard to meet recruiting
goals. Allowing gay people to serve would help alleviate the strain
on military personnel by making more people eligible to serve or
to continue serving.

• The military has discharged at least fifty-five Arabic linguists and
nine Farsi linguists under “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell” in the last five
years. Discharging linguists because they are gay hurts military
readiness. “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell” has forced the Pentagon to discharge
nearly 800 vital personnel critical for national security,
including linguists and military intelligence analysts, according
to a 2005 GAO report.

• DoD Discharge Data Shows Gay Discharges Fell by
Nearly 50% Since War on Terrorism

• 79% of Americans now agree agree that openly gay Americans should
 be allowed to serve in the military, up from 57% in 1992.

 •••••Gays are Serving with Honor and Distinction Right Now: •••••

• Lesbians, gays and bisexuals are serving and have served in the
U.S. military in every conflict since the American Revolution.

• There are at least 65,000 gay Americans serving on active duty
and in the National Guard and Reserves, according to the Urban
Institute.

• There are 1 million gay veterans in the United States today,
according to a recent Urban Institute study based on 2000 Census
data.
4. What is Service Members Legal Defense Network?

Servicemembers Legal Defense Network (SLDN) is a national, non-profit legal services, watchdog and policy organization dedicated to ending discrimination against and harassment of military personnel affected by “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell” and related forms of intolerance.

5. How can I help?

It take’s roughly $10,000 to help every service member, legally and otherwise. You can help by making a contribution today! Go to http://ga1.org/sldn/supportsldn.html or donate your Lindens ($L) to your nearest “Help Lift the Ban” donation box.

You can also stay current on SLDN-related news by joining the “Lift the Ban” group in Second Life. Group membership is free.

6. To learn more go to http://www.sldn.com