Rep. Sara Jacobs Recognizes 13th Anniversary of Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell Repeal
On the 13th anniversary of the repeal of the discriminatory “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell” policy, Rep. Sara Jacobs (CA-51), Co-Chair of the Transgender Equality Task Force, spoke on the House Floor today urging her colleagues to pass the Ensuring Military Readiness Not Discrimination Act, which would prohibit discrimination in the military and protect transgender service members.
Watch Rep. Sara Jacobs’ Floor Speech Here
On the House Floor, Rep. Sara Jacobs said:
“I rise today to remind this body of the incredible damage inflicted by the ‘Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell’ policy. For 17 years, it was the official federal policy to discriminate against LGBTQ+ service members and prevent them from living authentically – or risk being discharged. This policy wasn’t only hateful and isolating, it weakened our military and failed to live up to our values.
“Today marks 13 years since we repealed this hateful policy and we won’t go back. We won’t go back to Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell, or the possibility of a trans service ban with the stroke of a pen or a tweet.
“Countless queer people serve our country bravely. They serve our country proudly. They serve our country honorably. And they should serve our country authentically, too.
“That’s why we need to pass my Ensuring Military Readiness Not Discrimination Act to prohibit discrimination in the military and protect trans service members. Our service members sacrifice so much for us – but they shouldn’t have to sacrifice who they are.”
Rep. Sara Jacobs also joined Rep. Chris Pappas (NH-01) and Rep. Mike Levin (CA-49) in introducing the SERVE Act, which would guarantee and protect VA benefits for LGBTQ+ veterans discharged from the Armed Forces due to their sexual orientation or gender identity.
“Anyone who has served and sacrificed so much for our country should have full access to their VA benefits,” said Rep. Sara Jacobs, Vice Chair of the Congressional Equality Caucus. “But even 13 years since the repeal of the discriminatory ‘Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell’ policy, many LGBTQ+ veterans are still denied their VA health care and benefits because of who they are and who they love. We owe our veterans so much more than this. I’m proud to co-lead the SERVE Act to right this wrong and provide the care and benefits our LGBTQ+ veterans have rightfully earned.”
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