Washington D.C., Sep 21, 2010 / 10:59 am
Family Research Council (FRC) president Tony Perkins and several African American religious leaders held a press conference on Monday to urge the Senate to vote against a move that would repeal the current “Don't Ask, Don't Tell” policy banning openly homosexual persons from serving in the military.
The Senate is slated to vote later this afternoon on whether or not to repeal the 1993 policy allowing homosexuals to serve only if they do not reveal their sexual orientation as part of the overarching Defense Authorization Bill of 2011. The Senate Armed Services Committee and the full U.S. House approved measures to change the law in May.
In a press conference at FRC facilities in Washington D.C on Sept. 20, Perkins, accompanied by the church leaders, expressed concern over the implications for religious liberty and military readiness, should homosexuals be allowed to serve openly in the military.
Leaders at yesterday's conference included non-denominational pastor Rev. Harry Jackson of Great Hope Church in Washington, D.C., Pastor Aubrey Shines of Tampa, Pastor Christopher Brooks of Detroit, non-denominational Bishop Leon Benjamin, Rev. Dean Nelson of Virginia, Rev. Lou Engle and Austin Nimocks who is Senior Counsel of the Alliance Defense Fund.