The Human Rights Campaign lauded the Pentagon for its
proposal to decriminalize consensual sodomy in the military, according
to an article in the April 21st New York Times. Both opposite-sex and same-sex
couples are prohibited from engaging in "unnatural carnal copulation
with another person" under Article 125 of the Uniform Code of Military
Justice.
"The nation's troops should be protected by the same Constitution they
give their lives to defend," said HRC President Joe Solmonese. "This
marks a sign of recognition by the military that our country's promise
of freedom should extend to our service members. We are committed to
working with Servicemembers Legal Defense Network to ensure that
Congress approves this change in policy and understands its implications
on the 'Don't Ask, Don't Tell' ban."
"Repeal of Article 125 would remove a significant obstacle in the fight
to end the military's gay ban," said Servicemembers Legal Defense
Network (SLDN) Director of Law & Policy Sharra E. Greer in a statement
today. "Pentagon leaders can no longer justify banning gays because of
private, consensual conduct if the military sodomy statute is repealed.
Commanders should be concerned about winning the war on terror, not
about prying into service members' private lives. However, service
members must understand that 'Don't Ask, Don't Tell' remains law, and
those known to be lesbian, gay or bisexual will continue to be
discharged."
A measure in the House, the Military Readiness Enhancement Act, would
repeal "Don't Ask, Don't Tell," the ban on gay, lesbian and bisexual
troops, and allow them to serve openly in the military. HRC works with
SLDN and other advocacy groups to ensure that gay, lesbian, bisexual and
transgender troops are free to serve.
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