FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
May 26, 2010

Charleston, WV—Fairness West Virginia (Fairness), the statewide LGBT advocacy organization, applauds Sen. Robert Byrd for supporting the repeal of “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell.” Sen. Byrd announced tonight that he will support the legislation in the Senate Armed Forces Committee, which will send the repeal to the Senate floor.

“Sen. Byrd is taking an important step to end the immoral and unjust practice of forcing dedicated American service members to lie about who they are,” said Stephen Skinner, president of Fairness West Virginia. “We commend Sen. Byrd for his leadership on this important issue, and we urge the rest of the West Virginia congressional delegation to stand beside him.”

“Sen. Byrd knows that ‘Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell,’ runs counter to the military values of honor and integrity,” said Skinner. “He recognizes that the courageous and patriotic gay Americans who are willing to die for their country deserve to serve with dignity and without fear.”

Working with the Human Rights Campaign (HRC), Fairness organized town hall meetings across the state to educate the public about the discriminatory “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell” policy. Fairness supporters have submitted hundreds of letter and emails and have made hundreds of calls to Sen. Byrd’s office urging him to support repeal. Along with HRC, Fairness coordinated direct advocacy in Washington and Charleston, aimed at obtaining Senator Byrd’s support for the repeal.

Fairness Board Member Pepe Johnson, who was discharged under DADT, is also available for comment.