The Bilerico Project | Daily experiments in LGBTQ

Congratulations go to the Broward County Commission which unanimously approved a resolution asking President Obama and Congress to repeal the military's discriminatory policy known as "Don't Ask, Don't Tell." The vote today directs county administration to send a copy of the resolution to our local members of Congress and President Obama.

The resolution can be found here.

Through the help from the Service Members Legal Defense Fund and members of AVER, I first sponsored and passed a similar resolution in Oakland Park, Florida. As a member of the Broward County Human Rights Board, I then drafted and proposed a resolution for the Broward County Commission. At our August meeting, the Human Rights Board voted to ask the Broward County Commission to adopt the resolution.

Commissioner Ken Keechl sponsored the resolution, and the entire Commission subsequently co-sponsored it. I believe that this is the first county to approve a resolution on "Don't, Ask, Don't Tell", joining cities across the country in asking the federal government to overturn this discriminatory law.

Oakland Park, Wilton Manors, and Broward County join the growing efforts to overturn this policy, including a great letter from Congressman Alcee Hastings to President Obama. Congressman Hastings, who represents part of Oakland Park and Broward County, urged the President to end DADT, saying in part:

Mr. President, I am extremely proud of the men and women who serve in our Armed Forces and truly appreciate the countless sacrifices they continue to make every single day to protect this nation and the American people. They deserve better than Don't Ask, Don't Tell.

These efforts show the progressive nature of our community and those who represent us. Hopefully, these efforts help move President Obama and Congress to act quickly on this important issue.