WASHINGTON, D.C. — Representative Brian Higgins (D-Buffalo) voted today to repeal the 1993 Don't Ask Don't Tell, the law that prohibited gay men and women from serving in the United States Military. The amendment was approved 234 — 194.
Higgins released the following statement:
"Today, with the repeal of the Don´t Ask, Don´t Tell military policy, we took another significant step in reducing discrimination in America. These service members take on a selfless mission to protect our freedoms and keep us safe and it’s about time we give them freedom and protection in return.
"Our military, who risk their lives in the line of duty, deserve to have the best people by their side and should not be deprived of the talents of any American who courageously chooses to serve. As with race and gender, sexual orientation has no influence on an individual’s ability to defend this nation and therefore should not be a consideration of one’s military qualifications. With 25 nations across the world already accepting of openly gay members in their armed forces, we as a nation are slow to recognize this injustice.
"Opponents will use scare tactics to say it can’t work, but it already does. According to a Williams Institute report, an estimated 66,000 gays currently serve in the U.S. military yet they are muffled by a backward policy that encourages deceit. Meanwhile each year we needlessly lose hundreds of our bravest in discharges related to sexual orientation – over 12,000 people from 1995 through 2008 according to a recent Congressional Research Service report."
—Tim Moran
