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Bellevue, Washington, October 10, 2006 -- Courage Doesn't Ask, a film which supports gays serving in the military, has wrapped principal shooting and is in post-production.

Shot entirely in the State of Washington by Zaydoe Films, Courage features intense battle scenes told through flashbacks as the story focuses on unit cohesion and the bravery it inspires in soldiers.

Starring Dan Butler (Frasier) as an Army doctor and Robert Guthrie (Expiration Date) as a wounded soldier, the film also features gay combat veterans who have been awarded the Bronze Star, among other medals.

“This is the right movie to make and the right time to make it,” said Joe Acton, writer-director. “Rather than focusing on a gay storyline, it focuses on the mission of the military and essentially asks the question, ‘If our national defense is really an issue, don't we want to engage the best and most dedicated people to defend us?’”

Even though the film does not have a gay story line or any openly gay characters, the U.S. Government refused to support Courage citing the Don't Ask, Don't Tell policy against gays serving in the military.

“Tens of thousands of patriotic gays and lesbians are currently serving their country on the field of battle, on our ships and in our aircraft. Many of them are ‘out’ to their peers, and sometimes even ‘out’ to their commanding officers,” said Rear Admiral Alan M. Steinman (ret). “And there is no negative impact on morale or unit cohesion of combat readiness. All the fears that created the Don't Ask, Don't Tell law have proven unfounded.”

“Courage Doesn’t Ask stands for the proposition that being gay in the military is as transparent as being black, brown, white, Democrat, Republican, Christian or Jew,” said Acton. “It just doesn't make a damn bit of difference and shouldn't disqualify otherwise honorable service.”

Release of Courage Doesn’t Ask is expected in the fall of 2006.