Resolution asks for repeal of 'don't ask, don't tell'

The St. Paul City Council is expected to pass a resolution Wednesday calling on Congress to repeal the military's "don't ask, don't tell" policy.

The policy bans gays and lesbians from serving openly in the armed forces.

Monica Meyer of the advocacy group OutFront Minnesota said she understands that St. Paul leaders don't have power to shape federal legislation. But she said the action from the city council would send a message to Congress.

Meyer said her group worked with a gay Iraq War veteran, Wes Davey, to help him get the resolution before the council.

"For him, and being a St. Paul citizen, he really looked to the city council to really weigh in and say, 'This kind of discrimination has to go,'" Meyer said. "They want to compel our country to do the right thing."

Congress could vote on whether to repeal the Clinton-era policy as soon as this week. But some critics want lawmakers to allow more time for the Pentagon to study how the change would affect the military.