Alert from SLDN: Repeal is on the Line

Throughout the history of struggle for justice and equal rights, most struggles are multi-pronged. Our struggle for equal and fair treatment for queer people and all of the of the people we are…people of color, differently abled, working poor and All…is no different. Soulforce knew from the beginning that we are an important spoke in the wheel of justice. And, right now, there is an ally organization, Servicemembers Legal Defense Network (SLDN), that needs our support to bring down the Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell policy of the U.S. military!

Following is an important message from Aubrey Sarvis, SLDN executive director, calling all of us to action RIGHT NOW to call urge our senators to make passage of DADT repeal legislation a top priority the week of September 20th. And, ask them to urge their Joint Leadership (Senators Reid and McConnell) to schedule this vote right away!

Ending DADT is an important step in the work of our movement to challenge the institutional oppression of all people. The more these institutions are challenged and these policies are ended, the sooner we can find reconciliation around this historic inequity.

As a member of the Freedom to Serve Roundtable, Soulforce encourages you to read SLDN’s call to action below and call your Senators right away.

PS if you’d like more information and resources about all of the great work that is being done to end DADT, you can access information here.

ALERT from SLDN: Repeal is on the Line

Friend,
Time is running out to tell your senators to vote for repeal of “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell” (DADT).
When Congress returns to Washington, D.C., next week, the full Senate will have its first opportunity in 17 years to do away with DADT when it votes on the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA), which contains provisions that would allow for repeal of this law.

Their legislative calendar looks crowded, and the window of opportunity to pass repeal will be narrow. That’s why you must keep up the pressure on both your senators until the Senate votes to end DADT.

Call and urge your senators to make passage of repeal legislation a top priority the week of September 20th. And ask them to urge their Joint Leadership (Senators Reid and McConnell) to schedule this vote.

Senate switchboard (can direct you to your senators):  (202) 224-3121

A full Senate floor vote is one of the last major legislative hurdles that stands in the way of repeal. Unfortunately, Senator John McCain has been a vocal opponent of repeal from the start. He has indicated that he, along with other repeal foes, will pull out all the stops in coming weeks – from attempting to strike repeal language from the NDAA to offering weakening amendments or threatening to filibuster the entire defense budget.

We cannot let that happen.

If the defense budget bill doesn’t move to the Senate floor by the end of this month, DADT repeal may not happen for several more years.

Call these key senators now. We need a repeal vote the week of September 20th.

Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid (D-NV)
(202) 224-3542

Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-KY)
(202) 224-2541

Senator John McCain (R-AZ)
(202) 224-2235

This is not the time to let up in the fight to end DADT. With your continued support we will make it clear to the Senate that repealing DADT should be a top priority this month.

Thank you.
Aubrey Sarvis
SLDN Executive Director