A new CNN/Opinion Research Corporation poll released today shows 79% support for repealing the militarys "Dont Ask, Dont Tell" ban on lesbian, gay and bisexual service members. Only 18% of respondents thought lesbian and gay service personnel should not be allowed to serve openly.

"The American people are fully in support of open service," said Steve Ralls, communications director for Servicemembers Legal Defense Network (SLDN). "Todays poll is the latest showing broad support for repeal of Dont Ask, Dont Tell, and reflects an overwhelming consensus among the public that national security is more important than federal discrimination. Now, it is time for Members of Congress to step up and lift the ban once and for all."

The CNN poll follows a 2005 Boston Globe poll also finding 79% support for repeal. That same poll found that large "majorities of Republicans, regular churchgoers, and even people with negative attitudes toward gays think gays and lesbians should be allowed to serve openly in the military." A similar Gallup poll found 91% support for open service among Americans aged 18-29. A December 2006 Zogby poll found that 73% of troops surveyed are comfortable with lesbians and gays.

The Military Readiness Enhancement Act (H.R. 1247), a Congressional proposal to repeal "Dont Ask, Dont Tell," is currently supported by a bi- partisan coalition of 127 lawmakers in the House of Representatives.