L.A. City Council
Calls for Elimination of "Don't Ask, Don't Tell"

The Los Angeles city council voted unanimously to support council member Bill Rosendahl's resolution to end the federal ban on gays and lesbians serving openly in the military, according to a statement released by the council.

The resolution supports Massachusetts U.S. representative Martin Meehan's proposed bill, the Military Readiness Enhancement Act of 2007, that would rescind the "don't ask, don't tell" policy and forbid discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation in the armed forces.

Rosendahl, a Vietnam-era Army veteran, introduced the legislation in recognition of the upcoming Veteran's Day, saying that gays and lesbians have played a substantial role in the armed forces and should be treated as such.

"It is ludicrous to think that if you want to serve your country, you have to lose part of your identity," he said in the statement.

"This city has a strong history of standing up for what is right," he continued. "I am proud to see us, once again, challenge the status quo and challenge our federal government to provide equal rights for everyone."

The city government also passed a resolution supporting same-sex marriage in California and offers health benefits to partners of city employees.

Former Marine captain Tom Carpenter of the Servicemembers Legal Defense Network said at the council meeting that nearly 26,600 gay and lesbian veterans reside in Los Angeles. (The Advocate)

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