Letter: Equal rights in the forces
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.Sir: Mark Lawson's honest, piercing analysis of Tory opposition to gay soldiers is to be welcomed ("Who's afraid of a gay soldier?, 25 April). In a modern democracy there should be no discrimination on the grounds of sexuality. Many voices now clamour for individual civic responsibility. In return, the state must ensure all its citizens have equal rights. This includes the right to serve in the armed forces, irrespective of sexual orientation.
No party must shirk from enacting the appropriate law, which would send an unequivocal message to the British people of tolerance, of a belief in equal citizenship and opposition to prejudice and bigotry.
Yours sincerely,
CAROLE TONGUE, MEP; MEL READ, MEP; HUGH KERR, MEP; PHILIPPE DE COENE, MEP; RENZO IMBENI, MEP; GLENYS KINNOCK, MEP; STEPHEN HUGHES, MEP; ARLENE MCCARTHY, MEP; DAGMAR ROTH-BEHRENDT, MEP; DANIEL COHN-BENDIT, MEP; GLYN FORD, MEP; CHRISTINE CRAWLEY, MEP; MICHAEL MCGOWAN, MEP; SIMON MURPHY, MEP; SHAUN SPIERS, MEP
European Parliament
Brussels
26 April
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments