The following is forwarded from NGLTF at American Online:
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Subj:  NGLTF Responds to Prez Clinton        93-06-04 18:18:20 EDT
From:  PROG NGLTF

Statement on Military Compromise

Washington, DC, May 27, 1993....President Bill Clinton Today announced his
support for a military compromise "along the lines" of the "don't ask, don't
say" proposals.  The National Gay and lesbian Task Force (NGLTF) opposes
current descriptions of such a compromise because the policy would continue to
reinforce discrimination and create separate conduct standards for gay and
straight service members.

In addition to stating his support for a possible compromise, President Clinton
reiterated his previous statement that service members should be "judged on
their conduct" and should not be kicked out of the military for "what they are"
but "what they do."  He said also that the country should "accept people as
people and give them a chance to serve if they play by the rules."

"We continue to support President Clinton's commitment to judging service
members by their conduct and requiring service members to 'play by the rules,'"
said Torie Osborn, NGLTF executive director.  "however, current descriptions of
the 'don't ask, don't tell' proposal would not do that.   The policy would set
different standards of conduct and create different rules for gay and lesbian
service members than for heterosexual service members.  NGLTF cannot support
any compromise that enforces discrimination against gay and lesbian people."

"'Don't ask, don't tell' won't work," said Tanya Domi, NGLTF Military Freedom
Initiative director.  "It is unrealistic, unworkable, and forces service
members to actively lie about their lives."

Current discussions about the military ban highlight an immense change in
political opinions since only a year ago.  Through intense organizing and
lobbying by the gay and lesbian community and straight allies who oppose
discrimination, the political debate now focuses on how to lift the military
ban on gay and lesbians, not whether to lift the ban.


"The shift in the political debate is a great victory for the gay and lesbian
community and for proponents of justice,"  Osborn said.  "There now is a
consensus that gay men and lesbians have served and continue to serve in the
military, with honor and distinction.  Politicians also agree that the witch
hunts to ferret out gay and lesbian service members have been a heinous misuse
of military resources.  And most agree that the current military ban is
indefensible and must change.  We will continue to advocate for a policy change
that ends discrimination and offers parity in treatment."
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