‘Don’t Ask’ Must Be Repealed Through Congressional Action

To the editors:

With regard to your welcome editorial denouncing the Solomon Amendment (“Upping the Ante,” Sept. 28.), it is important to realize that “Don’t ask, don’t tell” is a law of Congress and not a policy of the Department of Defense. Although many, if not most, admirals and generals in the Pentagon may agree with this law, they are required to obey it whether they agree or not.

Therefore, what is required to be rid of “Don’t ask, don’t tell” is to repeal this law, and to replace it with a law which allows gays and lesbians to serve openly in the military. Such a law, “The Military Readiness Enhancement Act of 2005,” has been proposed by Rep. Martin Meehan (D-Mass.) and is supported by 94 co-sponsors in Congress.

A coalition is now forming in the Harvard community (including alumni), especially among those who are gay and lesbian, and we have been discussing ways of urging the University to take a positive stand to eliminate this source of discrimination in our society. We will be most welcoming of others who would like to join us.

As a gay Harvard College and Harvard Business School alumnus, who graduated into the teeth of the Vietnam War in 1968 when the draft was in effect, and who was forced to lie at that time about my sexual orientation in order to enlist in the U.S. Navy, I resent to this day that I was forced to be dishonest in order to serve our country. Please be vocal in working to allow all citizens to serve in the military without compromising personal integrity.

NAT BUTLER ’68

Boston, Mass.

September 28, 2005