Date: Wed, 01 Jun 94 18:05:33 EDT
From: RAKNGLTF@aol.com


NATIONAL GAY AND LESBIAN TASK FORCE
PRESS RELEASE

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE    
Contact: David M. Smith (202) 332-6483 ext. 3309,
pager (800) 757-7736, dmsngltf@aol.com or  
Robin Kane (202) 332-6483 ext. 3311, rakngltf@aol.com



NGLTF HAILS CAMMERMEYER RULING
AS AN INDICTMENT AGAINST DON'T ASK, DON'T TELL


 Washington, D.C. -- (June 1, 1994) -- The National Gay and Lesbian Task
Force (NGLTF) issued the following statement today in response to U.S.
District Judge Thomas Zilly's ruling, ordering the reinstatement of
Margarethe Cammermeyer, a highly decorated Colonel in the Washington State
National Guard dismissed for acknowledging she is a lesbian:

 "The ruling is an indictment against the government's new policy of don't
ask, don't tell,"  said Tanya Domi, NGLTF's Legislative Director, who is a
former Army Captain.

 Zilly said in the 51 page ruling issued today that the military experts
"conceded that their justifications for the policy are based on heterosexual
members' fear and dislike of homosexual. Mere negative attitudes, or fear,
are constitutionally impermissible bases for discriminatory governmental
policies."

 "Because the new policy is identical to the old in that it serves to
accommodate prejudice against gay people, we believe this ruling is another
nail in the coffin of 'don't ask, don't tell,'" Domi concluded.

- 30 -

[Editors note: The National Gay and Lesbian Task Force is a Washington,
D.C.-based advocacy organization.]

1734 14th Street, NW Washington, DC  20009
(202) 332-6483  t  (202) 332-0207 fax  t  (202) 332-6219 TTY