TALKING POINTS:

CURRENT STATUS OF LIFTING THE BAN



*	The announcement by Representative Barney Frank, 
proposing an implementation for lifting the ban on gays and 
lesbians in the military, effectively shifted this debate to 
how the ban on gay and lesbian servicemembers can be 
successfully lifted in the current political climate.

*	While the Frank proposal of "on base, on duty, in 
uniform" has yet to take specific shape, it is a policy 
framework that is far more acceptable than Sam Nunn's 
rigid position of "don't ask, don't tell."

*	Under no circumstance is discrimination based on 
personal bias -- or a policy that countenances such 
discrimination -- acceptable to the gay and lesbian 
community and civil rights advocates.  Frank's proposal 
narrows the application of appropriate codes of military 
conduct to "on base, on duty, in uniform."  Lifting the ban 
must be the policy. An implementation plan using the 
Frank framework of "on base, on duty, in uniform," is an 
acceptable beginning to a dialogue on standards of sexual 
conduct for all military personnel.

*	The Campaign for Military Service is presenting 
recommendations for successfully lifting the ban to 
Pentagon officials and Congressional leaders.  It is the 
position of our broad-based coalition to stop discrimination 
and implement a policy that fairly and equitably treats all 
military personnel, gay and straight.  Under no 
circumstance will we accept a policy that forces any person 
to hide or lie about his or her sexual orientation.

*	This debate has shifted, and serious discussions 
regarding an implementation policy for lifting the ban 
should continue in Congress and within the Pentagon.  
Members of Congress are urged to adopt the CMS position 
as a standard for acceptable implementation.

*	Any position that CMS might support must be based 
on two principles:  non-discrimination, and codes of sexual 
conduct (for gay and straight servicemembers) that are 
fairly and equally applied. Employing the Frank framework, 
we believe it may be possible to achieve a fair and equitable 
solution.


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Prepared by the Legal/Policy Department of the Campaign 
for Military Service.   2707 Massachussetts Ave, NW   
Washington, DC 20009.  (202) 265-6666.