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Chicago, IL — An Illinois congressional candidate announced Wednesday that, if elected, she will join the fight to repeal the U.S. government’s controversial ban on gays, lesbians, bisexuals and transgenders serving in the military. 

Former Army Major Tammy Duckworth, the Democratic candidate for Illinois's 6th Congressional District, expressed strong support for repealing the military's "Don't Ask, Don't Tell" policy in a media statement issued Wednesday. 

"When I was serving in Iraq, it made no difference to me what the sexual orientation of my comrades was," Duckworth said in her statement. "It certainly did not matter to me what the sexual orientation was of the men or women who helped save my life after my Black Hawk helicopter was shot down over Iraq. 

Duckworth, an Iraq war veteran who lost both legs during the war, is campaigning to fill the seat left vacant by the retirement of Congressman Henry Hyde. 

“As a veteran of the U.S. armed forces, I can speak from personal experience that our military's performance depends on the skill of the men and women who volunteer to serve in defense of our nation,” she added. “Any qualified American who is willing to make that kind of sacrifice for our freedom should be free to do so."

The Military Readiness Enhancement Act, a bill to repeal "Don't Ask, Don't Tell," is pending in the House of Representatives. The legislation, introduced by Congressman Marty Meehan (D-MA), is supported by 118 other members, including both Republicans and Democrats. 

"The majority of today's junior enlisted personnel support gays serving openly in the armed forces, and a growing segment of Congress supports lifting the ban, too," said C. Dixon Osburn, executive director of Servicemembers Legal Defense Network (SLDN), in response to Duckworth’s announcement. "It is those who oppose open service who are out of step with the majority of Americans. We should honor all of those who serve our nation, and our nation suffers when we do not."

Other veterans in Congress also support repeal of the ban on open service. Congressman Wayne Gilchrest (R-MD), a Vietnam War veteran, recently told The Washington Post that "When this issue comes up, members who believe that gays shouldn't be in the military are now more hesitant to voice their opinion. Many of us who feel the other way have come out of the closet, so to speak."

Duckworth's Republican opponent is Illinois State Senator Peter Roskam. SLDN requested a statement from Roskam's campaign, but had received no response at press time. 

Written By Troy Espera
Article provided in partnership with GayWebMonkey.com.

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