Costello & Mains proudly supports the repeal of "Don't Ask, Don't Tell," the policy which provided dubious protection to gay servicemen and women by suggesting that as long as they didn't declare who they were, they wouldn't be asked. The policy was a compromise of an otherwise responsible and successful Clinton presidency which has resulted in dismissals from service of otherwise honorable and courageous service people, dismissals not for failure to serve with honor or courage, but dismissals for being gay.
"We're proud of America and we're proud of our Constitutional tradition of fairness, liberty and justice," says partner Deborah Mains. "This policy is one of many that still make it 'okay' to bash and denigrate homosexual men and women simply for being who they are. As civil rights lawyers, we fight against that sort of prejudice every day, but we're hoping that the repeal of this policy will enable us to shine a light on a now national example of eliminating bigotry and hatred even in institutions where resistance to eliminating such bigotry is strong."
Partner Kevin Costello expresses gratitude on an even more personal level: "I have a wife and a son. Anyone who wants to risk their lives to protect their safety and their freedom is a hero to me," Kevin says, "and they should be treated as such. People who are born gay are simply gay people and as capable as straight people of courage, valor, honor and sacrifice. I'm glad that we as a people have finally recognized that."
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