Suit Filed in Boston to End Don't Ask, Don't Tell

A dozen former servicemembers whose military careers were terminated under Don't Ask, Don't Tell have filed suit today in U.S. District Court in Boston, seeking to have the policy declared unconstitutional. The group is hoping that their challenge will succeed where others have failed, since the previous suits were prior to the Supreme Court's 2004 finding in Lawrence v. Texas.



The group is represented by the Servicemembers Legal Defense Network, which has more detailed information on the case, titled Cook v. Rumsfeld, posted on their website. You can also link to the text of the complaint. Also representing the plaintiffs is Boston law firm Wilmer Cutler Pickering Hale and Dorr LLP.



Among the requests made to the court are that the policy and related statutes be declared unconstitutional and that the military be enjoined from enforcing them, and that each of the plaintiffs be reinstated at their previous rank, pay and specialty if they are still able to meet all requirements of their last held position.