Closing arguments in ‘Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell’ federal court case to begin Friday morning
(Washington, DC) – Log Cabin Republicans continues to discredit ‘Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell’ (DADT) and demand an immediate injunction against further discharges, amid federal court case: Log Cabin Republicans v. United States.
“Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell is unconstitutional and presents a threat to our military’s integrity and readiness,” said R. Clarke Cooper, executive director for Log Cabin Republicans and veteran of the George W. Bush Administration. “This discriminatory policy is a threat to our national security and is a waste of tax payer dollars,” he continued.
Log Cabin Republicans, in 2004, filed a direct challenge to the constitutionality of the policy and has continued to present extensive evidence that the policy no longer serves a legitimate purpose and has an adverse impact on America’s national defense.
“Our military excludes these men and women from service solely on the basis of status and conduct that is constitutionally protected,” said Dan Woods, lead attorney for the case and partner at White & Case. “There is no legitimate basis for ‘Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell,’ and there never has been.”
Alex Nicholson, a discharged Army human intelligence collector, testified that DADT “created a cloud of fear that hung over your head at all times. You had to constantly be aware of whether your gestures, your mannerisms, your speech, anything was giving away the fact that you're gay…it made a stressful environment even more stressful.”
By contrast, the Department of Justice has relied solely on the congressional record from 1993, when the policy became law, and has presented neither evidence nor a single witness.
“Log Cabin Republicans continues to stand with soldiers who want to ensure that our country remains a safe place for all Americans,” said Cooper. “It’s time for the commander-in-chief, Congress and the courts to be on the right side of history and strike down this discriminatory policy.
CONTACT:
Casey Pick
Log Cabin Republicans
(202) 480-2601
cpick@logcabin.org
Nicholas Clarke
White & Case LLP
(212) 819-7808
nclarke@whitecase.com
