Courage Campaign Exposes Myths About Don't Ask, Don't Tell

Image from Think Progress

I received this in my email box today, and thought it was very blogworthy.


Don't Lie, Don't Misinform

By Julia Rosen

The right is incredibly effective at spreading lies and distortions in an attempt to stop change and reform. That's why it is crucial that the truth gets out about Don't Ask, Don't Tell, especially when we have seen the enormous damage done to attempts at reforming health care, the banking industry and many more. The Courage Campaign proudly signed on to a letter and a great piece of research from Media Matters debunking a number of myths that the right is spreading in an attempt to stop the repeal of DADT.

The letter is below the fold, and was also signed by AMERICAblog's John Aravosis, GLAAD's Jarrett T. Barrios, Human Rights Campaign's Joe Solmonese, Knights Out's Becky Kanis, Media Matters' President Eric Burns, National Center for Lesbian Rights' Kate Kendall, National Gay and Lesbian Task Force's Rea Carey, National Security Network's Heather Hurlburt, Servicemembers Legal Defense Network's Aubrey Sarvis, Servicemembers United's Alex Nicholson, Truman National Security Project's Rachel Kleinfeld, VoteVets' Jon Soltz, and last but not least our friend and yours, Lt. Dan Choi, US Army Infantry Officer and Arabic Linguist. It's not all that often that all of these folks sign on to the same letter and it is a testament to the excellent resource produced by Media Matters and importance of pushback on the lies.

Here are a few of the myths and links to sources that debunk the claims. I urge all of you to help spread around the accurate information whenever you see someone making an inaccurate statement about DADT.

MYTH: Don't Ask, Don't Tell is working
REALITY: Over 13,500 service members reportedly fired under law, including decorated officers and those in "critical occupations."

MYTH: Repeal would undermine morale and unit cohesion
REALITY: Unit cohesion argument "not supported by any scientific studies."

MYTH: Military experts oppose the repeal of DADT
REALITY: More than 100 retired generals and admirals have called for DADT's repeal.

MYTH: The public does not support repeal of DADT
REALITY: Numerous polls find broad support for gay men and lesbians serving openly in the military

MYTH: Right-wing attacks on DADT repeal are not anti-gay
REALITY: Prominent right-wing figures opposing repeal have a history of anti-gay rhetoric.

MYTH: DADT repeal would adversely affect retention
REALITY: Myth defies experiences of several other countries that have allowed gay men and lesbians to serve openly.

MYTH: Experience of other nations aren't relevant because "nobody counts on" their armies
REALITY: Several nations have fought in wars after allowing gay men and lesbians to serve openly.

MYTH: Only progressives support the repeal of DADT
REALITY: Polls show support for repeal of DADT among many Republicans, conservatives.

MYTH: DADT repeal would expose servicemembers to greater HIV risk
REALITY: Military regulations and procedures already exist to prevent the spread of HIV.

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