Decorated Veteran Joins Florida Coalition Calling for Repeal of "Don't Ask, Don't Tell"

MIAMI – Keith Meinhold, a decorated combat veteran who was kicked out of the armed forces after outing himself on a national news broadcast, is calling on Floridians to write to their congressional delegation and urge them to co-sponsor legislation repealing “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell,” the law banning gays, lesbians, and bisexuals from serving openly in the U.S. military.

“The law has destroyed thousands of careers and compromised the strength of our military, which is already stretched thin,” said Florida native Keith Meinhold, Petty Officer 1st Class, U.S. Navy (Ret.).

“Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell” has forced more than 13,000 service members out of the military since its adoption in 1993. These discharges have included Arabic linguists, pilots, medics and others that held critical skill sets.

Despite Meinhold’s rating in the top ten percent of all Navy instructors, he was discharged when he outed himself on national television in an effort to stop a witch hunt against other gay, lesbian and bisexual members of the military.

A federal court reinstated him into the Navy, and he flew combat missions over the Persian Gulf, was awarded the Navy Achievement Medal and became the first openly gay man to retire from active duty with full military honors. Meinhold hopes a repeal of “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell” will allow many other gay, lesbian and bisexual service members to follow in his footsteps.

Since taking over as the bill’s chief sponsor earlier this month, Rep. Patrick Murphy (D-PA), has aggressively pursued repeal of a law he says “hinders national security and military readiness at a time when America is fighting in two wars in Iraq and Afghanistan.” Murphy himself is an Iraq war veteran, the first veteran of that war to be elected to Congress.

Nine members of Florida’s congressional delegation ranging from Republican Ileana Ros-Lehtinen (Miami) to Democrat Kathy Castor (Tampa) have co-sponsored this historic legislation. “Momentum for repeal of ‘Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell’ is growing in our state,” said Mark Ferrulo, executive director of Progress Florida. “Florida is a big military state. We should be leading the way in the fight for equality for gay, lesbian, and bisexual service members.”

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The complete text of Keith Meinhold’s letter and the sign-on letter to the Florida congressional delegation are available below. For more information, please visit the websites of Progress Florida, Equality Florida or the Servicemembers Legal Defense Network.

To arrange an interview with Keith Meinhold, please contact Damien Filer at the number or email address above.

Keith’s Letter

My fellow Floridian,

I served as an aircrew instructor aboard the Navy’s P-3C Orion aircraft and flew combat missions throughout the Pacific and Indian Oceans and the Persian Gulf. Despite being rated in the top ten percent of all Navy instructors I was kicked out of the Navy after outing myself on a national news broadcast as part of an effort to stop a witch hunt against other gay, lesbian and bisexual service members.

I’m writing to you today because together we have a unique opportunity to right a wrong and stop injustice and discrimination against gay, lesbian, and bisexual service members.

The “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell” law bans gays, lesbians and bisexuals from serving openly in the U.S. military. This law has been directly responsible for 13,000 dedicated military personnel having their careers taken away, their dignity dragged through the mud and their families torn apart. These discharges have included Arabic linguists, pilots, medics and others that held critical skill sets.

Please sign our letter to the Florida congressional delegation urging them to end “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell.”

Every day we are getting closer to the 218 co-sponsors needed to pass the Military Readiness Enhancement Act (H.R. 1283 in the U.S. House of Representatives) and repeal this backward law. With 168 co-sponsors as of today, we are just 50 short of the mark. With your help we can meet our objective over the next 60 days, and have a real shot at getting a vote this year.

There are many compelling reasons for repeal. A 2006 Blue Ribbon Commission found that “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell” caused the Pentagon to waste more than $360 million in taxpayer funds between 1994 and 2003. But perhaps more importantly, no other law mandates firing someone because they are gay, lesbian or bisexual. The 65,000 gay, lesbian and bisexual Americans currently serving in the U.S. Armed Forces, and one million veterans, should not be treated as second class citizens.

As a Floridian, I am proud to report that today there is real momentum for repeal right here in our state. Nine members of Florida’s congressional delegation ranging from Republican Ileana Ros-Lehtinen (Miami) to Democrat Kathy Castor (Tampa) have co-sponsored this historic legislation. And thanks to the hard work of the Servicemembers Legal Defense Network city governments, the latest being Miami, are passing resolutions in support. Now, we need your help.

Please sign our letter to the Florida congressional delegation urging them to end “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell.”

Following my discharge a Federal court reinstated me into Navy where I served for another four years openly gay. It was the most rewarding four years of my career. My crew flew combat missions over the Persian Gulf and was recognized by the Navy as the most combat effective in the Pacific Fleet. I was also awarded the Navy Achievement Medal. I am the first openly gay man to retire from active duty with full military honors. With your support there will be many more.

Thank you in advance for your commitment to justice for every active duty military service member and veteran in the United States.

Yours in service,

Keith Meinhold
Petty Officer 1st Class, U.S. Navy (Ret.)
Miami, Florida

Sign-On Letter to the Florida Congressional Delegation

Dear Members of the Florida Congressional Delegation:

The time has come to end discrimination in our armed forces. We, the undersigned Floridians, ask you to help repeal the failed “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell” law by joining the growing list of 168 co-sponsors of H.R. 1283, the Military Readiness Enhancement Act.

“Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell” has resulted in the loss, through discharge, of more than 13,000 service members since it was implemented in 1993. These discharges have included Arabic linguists, pilots, medics and others that held critical skill sets. The law has destroyed thousands of careers and compromised the strength of our over-burdened military.

Ending “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell” is the right thing to do – for justice and for national security. Please co-sponsor H.R. 1283 today.

Sincerely,
[Your Name]