Discharges Of Gay And Lesbian Soldiers Reach Record Levels

Anti-gay harassment and discharges reached a record level in
2001, according to a new report released by the Servicemembers Legal Defense
Network today. According to the report, 1,250 servicemembers were
discharged under the "Don't Ask, Don't Tell, Don't Pursue, Don't Harass"
policy in 2001, representing the highest number of gay discharges since
1987.

"The discharge and harassment numbers reported in 'Conduct
Unbecoming' are an affront to liberty, unity, and military readiness,"
stated SLDN's Executive Director, C. Dixon Osburn. "As lesbian, gay and
bisexual service members are fighting to protect our country from terrorism,
they should not be denied their freedom at home."
HRC praised the report for highlighting the discrimination and harassment
gay servicemembers still face nine years following the introduction of the
"Don't Ask, Don't Tell" policy.

"At a time in which our nation deserves to have its best and brightest
people serving in the interest of national security, this policy continues
to drain valuable experience, talent, and patriotism from the ranks of the
Armed Services at a high cost to U.S. taxpayers," said Winnie Stachelberg,
HRC's political director.

We applaud the valuable work of the Servicemembers Legal Defense Network in
protecting the rights of soldiers, sailors, airmen and Marines, and call on
the services to implement the Department of Defense 13-Point Anti-Harassment
Action Plan immediately," continued Stachelberg. "Eventually, Congress and
the administration, working with the Department of Defense, must repeal this
failed policy."

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