The Campaign
U.S. Rep. Patrick Murphy speaks during the HRC and Servicemembers United "Voices of Honor" Tour kick-off in Washington, D.C. in July 2009.
In February 2010, HRC launched its 'Repeal DADT Now Campaign,' which built on the groundwork of the "Voices of Honor Tour" of 2009. The campaign developed diverse local coalitions; increased public education; activated grassroots contacts with members of Congress; and continued strategic partnerships with other key groups such as Center for American Progress, Servicemembers United and Servicemembers Legal Defense Network. Working with local leaders, groups, allies and veterans, the campaign organized and mobilized grassroots support across the country. The campaign specifically focused on the key swing states of Florida, Indiana, Nebraska, Virginia, West Virginia, and Massachusetts.
Eric Alva, the first American wounded in the Iraq war, testifies before Congress against DADT in 2007.
On May 27th, 2010, the Senate Armed Services Committee adopted an amendment to the Senate FY 2011 Defense Authorization bill to repeal DADT. The amendment was offered by Sens. Joe Lieberman and Carl Levin. Later that same day, Congressman Patrick Murphy offered an identical amendment to the House FY 2011 Defense Authorization bill that was adopted by the House of Representatives by a vote of 234 to 194. The House passed its Defense Authorization bill on May 28th, 2010. The Senate has the chance to vote on its Defense Authorization bill after mid-term elections.
According to the repeal law, DADT is not repealed until the president informs Congress that the Department of Defense has prepared the necessary policies and regulations to implement repeal and those policies and regulations are consistent with military standards for readiness, effectiveness, unit cohesion, and recruiting and retention. President Obama signed the certification on July 22, 2011, setting in motion the open service of lesbian, gay and bisexual troops. The certification step was part of the legislation he signed in December, and after a 60-day period built into the law, "Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell" will be a relic of the past.
HRC’s Jarrod Chlapowski, Rep. Patrick Murphy and Servicemembers United executive director Alex Nicholson at the Voices of Honor Tour stop in Philadelphia, PA in 2009.
The Tours
HRC and Servicemembers United launched three national tours, beginning in 2005, to share the stories of service members who have been harmed by "Don't Ask, Don't Tell." From Philadelphia to Phoenix, from Kansas City to San Diego, the tours made stops nationwide, driving local and national media attention, including coverage in the military itself.