Washington, D.C. – Interfaith Alliance President Rev. Dr. C. Welton Gaddy released the following statement in response to the certification of “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell” repeal by President Obama and top Pentagon officials including Defense Secretary Leon Panetta.

I am elated that we are one giant step closer to the end of the military’s unfortunate ‘Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell’ policy once and for all. As I have said from the beginning of the debate around repealing this policy, doing so will have no negative impact on the religious and individual freedoms of the men and women in our armed forces or the chaplains who serve them. Instead, it will simply mean that 60 days from today, all Americans will be able to serve their country openly and with integrity regarding their identity. This is a great  day for equality and justice for all Americans.
 

Interfaith Alliance is a network of people of diverse faiths and beliefs from across the country working together to build a resilient democracy and fulfill America’s promise of religious freedom and civil rights not just for some, but for all. We mobilize powerful coalitions to challenge Christian nationalism and religious extremism, while fostering a better understanding of the healthy boundaries between religion and government. We advocate at all levels of government for an equitable and just America where the freedoms of belief and religious practice are protected, and where all persons are treated with dignity and have the opportunity to thrive. For more information visit interfaithalliance.org.