In an interview broadcast on the
eve of a key Senate vote on “Don't Ask, Don't Tell,” New York
Senator Kirsten Gillibrand says repealing the policy is about
equality.
Appearing via satellite on MSNBC's
Hardball, Gillibrand told host Chris Matthews that the policy
that bans gay and lesbian troops from serving openly is “corrosive”
and has to go.
“Fundamentally, Chris, this is one of
the most corrosive policies we can have as a government,” she said.
Gillibrand
was among the first to back Connecticut Senator Joe Lieberman's plan
to introduce a standalone version of repeal after Senate
Republicans, led by Arizona Senator John McCain, twice blocked
passage of a defense bill that included language to repeal the law.
“People realize now that this is also
about military readiness. That fundamentally we need all of these
men and women serving because we've lost so many. And think about
the countless number of people who haven't joined the services
because of this policy.”
“For my part, I also think it's the
civil rights march of our generation. This is truly about equality.
It's about equal rights. It's about civil rights. And these men and
women, they want nothing but to serve this country and are literally
being told that they can't based on who they love. And that is not
who we are as Americans,” she added. (The video is embedded in the
right panel of this page.)