Bill Number: Introduced in the House as H.R.1283 by Representative Ellen Tauscher D (CA-10) on March 3^rd, 2009 - this bill has yet to be introduced in the Senate.

What this Bill Will Do: The Military Readiness Enhancement Act would amend Title 10 of the United States Code by repealing the current discriminatory military Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell (DADT) policy and replacing it with a military policy of non-discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation. The legislation would not only end discrimination in the armed forces and strengthen our national security by utilizing the patriotism and talents of all who wish to serve, but it would save the military and the taxpayers millions of dollars that could be put to better use.

What you Need to Ask for: Ask your legislator to support this bill. If your Representative is not listed under the cosponsors of the bill, ask him or her to cosponsor the bill. If your Representative is part of the House Armed Services Committee (HASC) or the HASC Subcommittee on Military Personnel, ask him or her to give this bill a hearing. If you are meeting with a senator ask him/her to be an original co-sponsor of a companion bill in the Senate.

PFLAG Talking Points:

Our LGBT loved ones should be able to serve openly and honestly. Sexual orientation is not a factor in one’s commitment to protecting the nation and defending freedom for all.

Military readiness is enhanced and our nation is stronger when every qualified American who wants to serve is allowed to do so. Our military strength has been immeasurably damaged by the removal of more than 800 specialists with critical skills because of this policy.

The military is wasting American tax dollars on its discriminatory practices. According to the U.S. General Accounting Office, the cost of Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell is over 191 million dollars. Those dollars could be better used for our nation’s defense, not on the military’s discriminatory practices.

Americans support the repeal of the Don’ Ask, Don’t Tell policy. Sixty-nine percent of civilians support allowing LGBT people to serve openly according to a 2009 Gallup Poll.

• This bill was reintroduced in the 111^th Congress with 140 cosponsors in the House.
  
  
• The bill is currently with the House Committee on Armed Services’ Subcommittee on Military Personnel.
  
  
• Important Note: This bill does not include protections for transgender or gender non-conforming individuals. Issues related to gender identity and/or gender expression may come up at the time of enlistment, appointment or commissioning into the Armed Forces, or may arise for personnel already serving in the military. The military has a very binary view of gender. Therefore, their rules and regulations, including the language they use, reflect this fairly conservative view. If a service member or recruit does not fit into stereotypical gender norms and roles, there may be consequences for that member or recruit. PFLAG is working with the Servicemembers Legal Defense Network (SLDN) to address this problem.