Levin: 'Don't Ask, Don't Tell' Diminishes Military's Readiness

Senator Carl Levin (D-Mich.) said Wednesday that the continuation of Don't Ask, Don't Tell hurts the military.

“When people are not allowed to serve simply because of their sexual orientation, it diminishes our readiness, it diminishes our strength, it denies us … men and women who can contribute to the defense of their country,” said Levin, who chairs the Senate Armed Services Committee. (0:32)
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Levin: Other Countries Don't Need 'Don't Ask, Don't Tell'

Sen. Carl Levin (D-Mich.), who chairs the Senate Armed Services Committee, dismissed concerns Wednesday that allowing openly gay soldiers to serve in the military would damper morale. Levin pointed to several other nations that have allowed gay men and women to serve without any impact on unit cohesion or morale.

“We have asked about this in hearings,” said Levin. “We have been assured that there is no diminution of readiness or morale.”(0:36)
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Sen. Gillibrand Outraged By Don't Ask, Don't Tell

Sen. Kristen Gillibrand (D-N.Y.) said Wednesday that she shares the outrage of servicemen and women who have been fired under Don't Ask, Don't Tell.

"[DADT is] an outrageous policy. It is fundamentally a violation of civil rights of Americans; it violates the basic sense of equality; it violates the basic sense of justice," said Gillibrand. (0:22)
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Obama Seeking "Practical" Way To Repeal Don't Ask, Don't Tell Policy

President Barack Obama said Monday during a speech commemorating the work of LGBT leaders that he is working with Congress and the Pentagon to find a practical way to repeal the controversial "Don't Ask, Don't Tell" policy (0:25)
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Obama Grants Benefits To Same-Sex Domestic Partners

By Justin Duckham and Learned Foote-Talk Radio News Service

President Barack Obama took what he described as "a historic step" Wednesday evening as he signed an executive order granting limited federal benefits to same-sex domestic partners.

The executive order will give the U.S. Office of Personnel Management the authority to issue directives stating that any discrimination not based on work related factors is illegal. This would include sexual orientation and gender expression.

The President conceded that there was still much work to be done to achieve full legal equality for gays in the U.S., but noted that he planned on working with Congress to take future legislative action, including the repeal of the Defense of Marriage Act.

The "Don't Ask, Don't Tell" policy, which bans gays from serving in the military, was not mentioned. During the 2008 election, Obama pledged that once President, it would be repealed.
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