Poll support repeal of don't-ask-don't tell

Last November, it was reported that more than 100 retired generals and admirals have called for the repeal of the policy.

In January, the Army fired 11 soldiers for violating the don't-ask-don't-tell policy.

Now a Quinnipiac University national poll shows that the majority of Americans want the policy repealed.

The ban on openly gay men and women in the military should be repealed, American voters say 56 - 37 percent, including 50 - 43 percent among voters with family in the military, according to a Quinnipiac University national poll released today. American voters who think being gay is an individual's choice, 36 percent, are generally less supportive of gay rights than those who think people are born gay, 42 percent.

White Catholics say 64 - 29 percent that gays in the military should be allowed to come out, while white evangelical Christians support "don't ask; don't tell" 53 - 40 percent. Voters reject 58 - 35 percent, including 56 - 39 percent in military households, the argument that allowing openly gay men and women to serve would be divisive, the independent Quinnipiac (KWIN-uh-pe-ack) University survey of 2,041 registered voters nationwide finds.

Unfortunately, while the majority agrees that don't-ask-don't-tell should be repealed, they aren't uniform in a pro-gay rights mindset.

Society is paying too much attention to the needs of gays and lesbians, 49 percent of voters say, while 21 percent say there's too little attention and 22 percent say it's "about right."

Hopefully, polls like this will spur the government into righting the wrong of that policy. When the policy is repealed (and eventually it will be) we clearly have more work when 49% believe that there is too much attention paid to the needs of gays and lesbians.

The Servicemembers Legal Defense Network has various petitions you can sign to prod the government into doing what is right. They provide an easy way to write to the House, the Senate, or even President Obama.