LGBT DNC Members Applaud President Obama’s Call to Repeal Discriminatory ‘Don’t Ask Don’t Tell’ Law

In his State of the Union speech last night, President Obama stated he would work with Congress and the military to repeal the 1993 law that bars openly gay and lesbian people from serving in the military. "We must repeal the law that denies gay and lesbian Americans the right to serve the country they love because of who they are. It's the right thing to do," Obama said.

Please see the statement below from DNC Treasurer Andrew Tobias, DNC Vice Chairman Raymond Buckley, and DNC LGBT Caucus Chairman Rick Stafford in response to the President's call for a repeal of Don't Ask, Don't Tell:

"Last night, before both chambers of Congress, the United States Supreme Court, and millions of viewers around the country, President Obama stood with America's LGBT community in calling for the repeal of Don’t Ask Don’t Tell. Over the years more than 13,500 LGBT Americans have had their careers and dreams destroyed by the policy of mandatory expulsion from the armed services. We applaud the President for recognizing and calling for an end to this discriminatory policy that has denied LGBT Americans the right of serving the country they love because of who they love.

"We encourage all LGBT Americans and supporters to stand with President Obama in the fight for fairness and dignity by contacting the members of the House and Senate to support this effort."