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Over the past twelve years, the federal "Don't Ask, Don't Tell" ban on lesbian, gay and bisexual service members has led to a significant loss of talent in the armed forces, resulting in the dismissal of more than 12,000 service members, including nearly 800 with skills deemed 'mission-critical' by the Department of Defense.

U.S. taxpayers have paid an enormous, and continuously expanding, bill of $363 million to fund this discriminatory and counter-productive law. In exchange, "Don't Ask, Don't Tell" has undermined our national security and obliterated the concepts of equality and fairness for LGBT people eager to openly and honestly serve their country.

While PFLAG is actively working to help repeal this un-American law, it is also focusing on providing support for the many service members and their families that have adversely been impacted by "Don't Ask, Don't Tell." The majority of those dismissed under the law have been unjustly targeted and ferreted out of the military on the suspicion of identifying as LGBT, resulting in the abrupt and unfair destruction of many distinguished military careers. We all know that sexual orientation and gender identity do not alter one's commitment to protecting the nation and defending freedom for all and we are outraged that such an egregious law still exists.

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The current "Don't Ask, Don't Tell" law, enacted in 1993, mandates that the Pentagon fire any service member who acknowledges they are lesbian, gay or bisexual; who engages in sexual or affectionate conduct with someone of the same gender; or is found to have a relationship with someone of the same gender. Current practice does not significantly differ from prior laws established fifty years preceding "Don't Ask, Don't Tell." The law is still a ban on open service and, despite its name, commanders routinely violate the "Don't Ask" prong of the law.

Indeed, "Don't Ask, Don't Tell" is the only law that codifies and mandates the legal firing of an American on the basis of identifying as lesbian, gay or bisexual - no other federal, state or local law like it exists. As a result, this is the only law that makes it illegal to come out and freely acknowledge one's sexual orientation. An honest statement about a person's sexual orientation to anyone, anywhere, anytime may lead to being fired - even when a person is exercising complete discretion on the job.

(Transgender service personnel are also barred from serving in the armed forces, though not by "Don't Ask, Don't Tell." While many transgender troops have been impacted under the law, because of a misperception that transgender personnel may also identify as lesbian, gay or bisexual, the official exclusion of transgender troops occurs under military medical regulations, which stipulate that personnel known to be transgender are medically unfit to serve.)

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PFLAG opposes "Don't Ask, Don't Tell," and joins seventy-nine percent of Americans who support the repeal of this oppressive law. It dissuades talented Americans from serving their country, which ultimately deprives the armed forces of qualified, committed, and talented Americans who can boost military readiness.

"Don't Ask, Don't Tell" has inflicted immeasurable damage to our armed forces and our country. Desperately needed military linguists, pilots, doctors, intelligence analysts, nurses, and others with critical skills are in high demand but continue to be dismissed under the law. At last count, more than 300 language specialists have been dismissed under the law, including five dozen who were proficient in Arabic.

It's clear that there is a real need for our LGBT loved ones to have the ability to serve openly and honestly. Sexual orientation is not a factor in one's commitment to protecting the nation and defending freedom for all. Every qualified American who wants to serve and make our military more effective should be allowed to do so regardless of their sexual orientation or gender identity.

Congress must repeal this discriminatory, wasteful and counter-productive law and welcome patriotic Americans who wish to serve our country. PFLAG urges you to speak with your congressional representatives and encourage them to sponsor the Military Readiness Enhancement Act, a bill that would repeal this discriminatory practice and end anti-gay discrimination in our nation's largest employer, the U.S. armed forces.

To learn more about how you can encourage your representatives to support the Military Readiness Enhancement Act or to learn more about "Don't Ask, Don't Tell," please visit the following sites:

• Military Readiness Enhancement Act of 2007Servicemembers Legal Defense NetworkThe Michael D. Palm Center
• Don't Ask, Don't Tell Documents

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aratliff@pflag.org