WASHINGTON – U.S. Senator Chris Coons (D-Del.), a cosponsor of the Senate legislation that repealed the military’s discriminatory Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell policy, released the following statement Tuesday to note the final enactment of the repeal.
“Today is a momentous day, and I am proud to stand with the millions of Americans for whom the end of Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell means the beginning of a new era of equality for our nation. Repealing Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell wasn’t just about our pursuit of equal rights, but the pursuit of equal responsibility. The nearly 14,000 service members discharged under Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell simply wanted to serve their country, but were deemed unfit to serve not because of what they did, but because of whom they loved. Thousands more were forced to serve in silence, proud of their uniform but made to feel ashamed of the person underneath. Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell was discrimination, plain and simple… but I’m proud to say it is no more.”
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