The number of discharges this year was 997, the highest number since 1989. These officials implied that gay servicemembers are using the "Don't Ask, Don't Tell, Don't Pursue" policy in order to escape their military obligations and that gay people simply cannot "hack it" in the military.

This spin is contrary to the report itself. In the report, the Department of Defense acknowledges that implementation of the policy has indeed been problematic. (See GayToday, Events, April 7 and World, April 1)

It recognizes that the Department of Defense does not know what is causing the rise in discharges. Servicemembers Legal Defense Network knows that the problem is continuing anti-gay harassment, witch-hunts, and improper investigations and asking.

Recommendations contained in the report include reissuing guidance concerning anti-gay threats and violence and ensuring that those implementing the policy receive proper training.

These recommendations are good first steps, however their existence has been lost in the offensive leaks to the press.

Your help is needed.

Please contact: Secretary of Defense Cohen, Vice- President Gore, and President Clinton.

Let them know that you are outraged by the offensive misinformation leaked to the press by the Pentagon. ¨ Tell Secretary of Defense Cohen that he should stick to the facts and fix the problem rather than launch a smear campaign against gay people. Tell them the Pentagon should instead be focusing on the real problems of anti-gay violence, harassment, witch hunts, and "asking" by commanders.

Those individuals serving our country should be praised instead of slandered.

Secretary of Defense William Cohen

Comment via Department of Defense web page:
http://www.defenselink.mil/faq/comment.html;

Telephone : (703) 697-5737;

Fax: (703) 695-1219;

Snailmail: 1000 Defense Pentagon, Washington, D.C. 20301-1000

Vice-President Albert Gore

E-mail: vicepresident@whitehouse.gov,

Telephone: (202) 456-1111

Snailmail: White House, 1600 Pennsylvania Ave., NW, Washington, DC 20500

President William J. Clinton

E-mail: president@whitehouse.gov
Telephone: (202) 456-1111;

Snailmail: White House, 1600 Pennsylvania Ave., NW, Washington, DC 20500