Saras World

Today marks the end of an era.

The recent repeal of “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell” (DADT) officially goes into effect today, making this the first day in nearly two decades that lesbian, gay and bisexual Americans can serve openly and honestly in our nation’s military.

Our national policy has finally caught up to what three in four Americans already believe — that our entire country benefits when fairness prevails.

It’s been a long road, and the Task Force has been on the front lines since the beginning, persuading representatives and senators that DADT is discriminatory and wrong; preparing key witnesses who testified before Congress; supporting those currently serving in the military — and more. You and other Task Force supporters walked with us every step of the way, providing crucial grassroots support. Thank you!

Today we’re one step closer to full equality, but we’re not there yet. This victory only strengthens our resolve to continue our work toward open transgender military service. And with your help, the Task Force will continue to push for that inclusion.

And there’s much more we’re working on:

• We’re mobilizing grassroots efforts to help pass trans-inclusive nondiscrimination laws in cities across the nation;
• We’re an integral part of a coalition pushing for passage of the Employment Non-Discrimination Act, which would ban discrimination against lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender workers, and the Respect for Marriage Act to provide federal benefits for same-sex couples;
• And we’re continuing to fight behind the scenes making sure that federal rules ensure fairness and equality for LGBT people, which hugely impacts the lives of LGBT families. We’ve won some major victories — but our work is ongoing, and critically important.

With a presidential election next year, we have our work cut out for us — all in the face of well-organized and well-funded opposition from hatemongers like Focus on the Family and Americans for the Truth About Homosexuality.

And I can tell you this, our victory on DADT has made them even more determined to stop us.

The DADT repeal serves to remind us that, with a lot of hard work, we’re getting closer — but we can’t let up until we get there.

I’m so grateful to you and other supporters of the Task Force’s work for all you’ve done to help bring us this far, and for all I know you’ll do to help move us to full justice and equality.

Thank you for your support.

Sincerely, Rea Carey, Executive Director National  Gay and Lesbian Task Force

The National Gay and Lesbian Task Force builds the political power of the lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender community from the ground up. The Task Force is the country’s premier social justice organization fighting to improve the lives of LGBT people, and working to create positive, lasting change and opportunity for all. The Task Force is a 501(c)(3) corporation incorporated in Washington, D.C. Contributions to the Task Force are tax-deductible to the full extent allowed by law. © 2011, National Gay and Lesbian Task Force, 1325 Massachusetts Ave. NW, Suite 600, Washington, D.C., 20005. Phone 202-393-2241. TTY 202-393-2284. theTaskForce@theTaskForce.org.

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