More on Lt. Col Fehrenbach’s legal effort to block his imminent DADT discharge from the Air Force via Julie Bolcer at The Advocate:
Although limited to Fehrenbach at this time, how the court responds to the request filed Wednesday could shape subsequent legal efforts to end the policy.
“The emergency temporary restraining order applies to Victor directly, but the larger case would apply facially to all of ‘don’t ask, don’t tell,’” said SLDN spokesman Trevor Thomas.
On the political front, the request arrives just weeks before the Senate is expected to vote on the DADT repeal that passed the House in May. The Fehrenbach case illustrates the urgent need for lawmakers to act.
“The discharge of Lieutenant Colonel Fehrenbach would dramatically underscore that ‘don’t ask, don’t tell’ is still the law and all gay and lesbian service members should be on notice,” said SLDN executive director and Army veteran Aubrey Sarvis. “Clearly there is an urgent need for the Senate to act on legislation currently pending that would allow for repeal.”
