Gay icon Lady Gaga is ratcheting up
the pressure to get “Don't Ask, Don't Tell” repealed, and Senate
Majority Leader Harry Reid is listening.
After walking
the Video Music Awards red carpet on Sunday escorted by four gay
military veterans impacted by the policy that bans gay troops from
serving openly, the gay rights supporter messaged her nearly 7
million fans on Tuesday to contact Reid and urge him to schedule a
vote on repealing the ban.
“Gay veterans were my VMA dates,”
she tweeted. “Repeal Don't Ask Don't Tell. CALL HARRY REID to
Schedule Senate Vote.”
Moments later, the Nevada senator
replied, “There is a vote on #DADT next week. Anyone qualified to
serve this country should be allowed to do so,” and directed the
singer and her followers to a press release on the subject posted on
the senator's official blog.
Repeal
language is tucked inside the military's annual authorization bill.
House members approved the bill in May. Senate Republicans, led by Arizona
Senator John McCain, have threatened to filibuster the bill.
The Alejandro singer also backs
giving gay and lesbian couples the right to marry.