Repeal Don't Ask Don't Tell

We, the undersigned members of the Yale Law School community, hereby voice our disapproval of the “Don’t Ask Don’t Tell” policy that Congress has mandated for the U.S. Armed Forces. As citizens, law students, and people of conscience, we express our indignation at this unjust and unfair policy.

This week, during our Fall Interview Program, representatives of the Navy and Air Force Judge Advocate General Corps will interview honorable, highly-qualified members of our community who are determined to serve their country. However, the JAG Corps will not hire our openly gay, lesbian, and bisexual students, even though they are every bit as qualified and motivated to serve. Of all of the employers participating in the Fall Interview Program, only the U.S. Armed Forces openly discriminate against students based on their sexual orientation. We expressly dissociate ourselves from this practice and condemn the enforcement of the “Don’t Ask Don’t Tell” policy against our students.

We recognize, however, that “Don’t Ask Don’t Tell” was created by Congress and will only end with legislative action. The policy has already robbed the Armed Forces of over thirteen thousand qualified servicepeople, and its repeal is overdue. In a country dedicated to equality, no political motivations can justify continued delay in rectifying this injustice.

President Obama and members of Congress, it is time for you to lead. Repeal this law and end the military’s discrimination against gay, lesbian, and bisexual Americans.