>From @BROWNVM.BROWN.EDU:owner-glb-news@BROWNVM.BROWN.EDU Sun Aug 8 21:24:32 1993 >From: Song Weaver This was posted to soc.motss. I've eliminated the identity of the original poster but left everything else intact. --Julie -------------------------------------------------------------- Here's the letter I got back from Ron Dellums, who is the chair of the House Armed Services Committee, as well as my congressional representative. I was quite pleased. Note especially the next-to-last paragraph (the one before the "thanks for writing" paragraph). ------------------- begin quoted material ------------------- Dear Friend: Thank you for writing regarding whether or not the ban on gay men and lesbians serving in the military should be lifted. I also believe that gay men and lesbians should be free to serve in the military and to do so without fear of discrimination or harm. Whether discrimination is based on race, religion, ethnic origin, physical characteristics, sec or sexual orientation, it debases our country and its institutions. As you may know, the President has announced his directive on gays in the military. While I applaud the President for his initial determination to lift the ban on gays in the military, the compromise he has reached does not go far enough. The fact of the matter is that a service member can still be forced out of the military if he or she is discovered to be homosexual. I believe that hte only solution is to allow gay men and lesbians to serve openly and honestly, without fear of being persecuted solely on the basis of their being. A first step has occurred, but a complete reversal of the ban is still long overdue. I plan to offer an ammendment totally lifting the ban as an alternative to the President's proposal. It is time to move America beyond ignorance, fear, bigotry and oppression and get on with attending to the many pressing needs our nation now faces. Thank you again for taking the time to share with me your views on this issue. Sincerely, Ronald V. Dellums Member of Congress