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Washington, March 6, 2010 /LGBT News - PRNewswire-USNewswire/ The Association of Flight Attendants-CWA (AFA-CWA) International President Patricia Friend issued the following statement today supporting the Military Readiness Enhancement Act that was recently introduced in the U.S. House of Representatives and the Senate. The bills, H.R. 1283 and S. 3065, would repeal the discriminatory "Don't Ask, Don't Tell" military practice.

"For over 30 years AFA-CWA has been leading the fight to end workplace discrimination on the basis of race, religion, sex and sexual orientation. We strongly support the efforts of President Obama and military leaders who are taking steps towards ending all forms of discrimination for U.S. Armed Service members.

"The current 'Don't Ask, Don't Tell' practice denies qualified Americans with critical skills the freedom to serve. Our government has invested billions of dollars and countless hours of training in our troops, often in highly classified and technical specialties, and it is imperative that we retain their service.

"A number of AFA-CWA members serve as reservists and have fought for our country. While many are not affected, nor would they fall victim to the current and archaic 'Don't Ask, Don't Tell' policy, they deserve the right to serve our country without fear and with the same anti-discriminatory protections they enjoy under their AFA-CWA contracts.

"It is time we end the practice of forcing out valuable service members due to perceived sexual orientation. It is time to close the chapter on 'Don't Ask, Don't Tell' and promote an all-encompassing policy of nondiscrimination once and for all."

For over 60 years, the Association of Flight Attendants has been serving as the voice for flight attendants in the workplace, in the aviation industry, in the media and on Capitol Hill. More than 50,000 flight attendants at 22 airlines come together to form AFA-CWA, the world's largest flight attendant union. AFA is part of the 700,000-member strong Communications Workers of America (CWA), AFL-CIO. Visit us at www.afanet.org.

SOURCE Association of Flight Attendants-CWA (AFA-CWA)