Below is an excerpt from an email I just received from the Servicemembers Legal Defense Network. The gist: call your U.S. senator NOW and tell her/him to move forward with the repeal of Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell.

If you’ve never done this before, don’t worry: you won’t have to talk to your senator directly. You’ll speak to an aide. Just call 202-224-3121, ask for your senator’s office, and tell whomever answers the phone, “As a taxpayer, a voter, and supporter of equal rights for all Americans, I want Senator _________ to stop the filibuster and begin debating passage of the Defense bill”. It really is that simple.

Here’s the email and more info:

The final hour has arrived. Today at 2:15 PM ET, the full Senate will determine whether “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell” (DADT) repeal will move forward this year. For repeal to happen, we need 60 votes to break Senator John McCain (R-AZ)’s expected filibuster. All supporters must call their senators now.

Call both your senators at the Capitol switchboard right now and urge them to vote to end the filibuster and move on to a real debate on the Defense bill.

(202) 224-3121

These senators are currently uncommitted on breaking the filibuster and particularly need to hear from us today:

–Susan Collins (R-ME);
–Olympia Snowe (R-ME);
–Mark Pryor (D-AR);
–Richard Lugar (R-IN);
–Judd Gregg (R-NH);
–Jim Webb (D-VA);
–George Voinovich (R-OH);
–Kit Bond (R-MO)

Don’t let opponents of open service hold up critical funding for our troops and prospects for repeal. Supporters of open service must make their voices heard today. If you have already called your senators, call both of them again.

Call the Capitol switchboard and tell both your senators to follow the lead of Senate Armed Services Committee Chairman Carl Levin (D-MI) to stop the filibuster and begin debating passage of the Defense bill.

(202) 224-3121