NATIONAL GAY & LESBIAN TASK FORCE
1734 14th St, NW, Washington, DC 20009
(202) 332-6483
lob_ngltf@aol.com

for immediate release 10/29/1993

NGLTF RESPONDS TO SUPREME COURT EMERGENCY STAY

 We are disappointed that the Court has accepted the Government
representation that lifting the gay ban would adversely affect the U.S.
military. The Government's politics of expedience has temporarily won over
the principles of justice. The military has been without a gay ban against
service members for close to a month with no adverse affects. The ban is in
place simply to accommodate the prejudice against gay people that exists in
the military.

 While we are angry about the Court's decision, it strengthens our resolve in
the fight to lift the ban. Every study the Pentagon has done on the subject
has concluded that it is unnecessary and gay, lesbian and bisexual people do
not pose any risk to unit cohesion or morale.

 The fight is not over. This is simply a stay, with the merits of Meinhold's
case scheduled to be heard in December before the 9th Circuit. The gay ban is
the last bastion of governmentally-sanctioned bigotry in the United States.
America cannot tolerate this blatant discrimination.

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[The above statement is attributable to Peri Jude Radecic, Executive Director
of the National Gay and Lesbian Task Force]