San Francisco’s Board of Supervisors unanimously approved a city resolution calling for repeal of the military’s ‘Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell’ ban on lesbian, gay and bisexual personnel, according to a press release from the Servicemembers Legal Defense Network (SLDN). The resolution was adopted in support of a statewide measure introduced in the California State Legislature in April by Sen. Christine Kehoe, D-San Diego.
The state resolution declares, in part, that ‘ [t] he Legislature of the State of California respectfully urge the President and Congress of the United States to adopt the Military Readiness Enhancement Act of 2005… to end the discriminatory federal policy of ‘Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell.” The San Francisco resolution notes, in part, that ‘ [LGB] service members have served and are serving bravely and honorably in all branches of the United States Armed Forces and in all locations, national and international.’
The statewide resolution in California also passed a Judiciary Committee vote, by 4-1, following testimony in Sacramento. SLDN honorary board member BG Keith H. Kerr, CSMR (Ret.) testified in favor of the resolution. The measure will soon reach the Senate floor.
The city councils of New York City and West Hollywood have recently passed similar resolutions, supported in those communities by American Veterans for Equal Rights. Equality California backs the state measure.