Barney Frank on DADT Repeal: "We should lobby like the NRA"

In an interview with Karen Ocamb of LGBT POV, Congressman Barney Frank talked about Don't Ask, Don't Tell (DADT) repeal and passage of the Employment Non-discrimination Act (ENDA).

Frank says when it comes fighting for LGBT rights, petitions and marches have little if any effect. "Sending in your own individual letter is the best or your own email or go in to see them. Sending the same copy of a letter – it’s better than nothing. Signing a petition is least important because it doesn’t indicate that much activity.”

Regarding last fall's National March on Washington, the openly gay congressman repeated his views from last year, saying, "They tell me they were going to put pressure on Congress. All they put pressure on was the grass. Members of Congress didn’t know it [the National Equality March] happened because they didn’t call anybody. And I don’t understand why they think that works. 

Frank added, "By the way – you know who understands that? The National Rifle Association. They don’t have shoot-ins and rifle marches – they write and call. The NRA – person for person –  they are extremely influential because they lobby that way."

While I disagree about the impact of the march, I do agree that writing letters, making phone calls and meeting face to face with our elected officials has the most impact.

Call the congressional switchboad at (202) 224-3121 and ask for your congressperson's office. Tell them to work for the repeal of Don't Ask, Don't Tell and for the passage of the Employment Non-Discrimination Act (ENDA).


Better still, join us on Friday, April 30 at 10am at the Roanoke office of Sen. Jim Webb as we ask him to support the repeal of Don't Ask, Don't Tell. We need LGBT veterans to add their voices to ours and help us end discrimination in the U.S. armed forces. Contact me at rev.stevescyberpulpit@yahoo.com.

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