SLDN Week In Review: April 30-May 4, 2012
Boehner Moves to Intervene in SLDN Legal Challenge. Servicemembers Legal Defense Network (SLDN) today fired back Tuesday at Speaker of the House John Boehner (R-OH) and his Bipartisan Legal Advisory Group (BLAG) for their request to intervene in McLaughlin v. U.S., the landmark federal court case filed in October 2011 by eight married gay and lesbian service members and veterans, who are represented by SLDN and Chadbourne & Parke. The case challenges the constitutionality of the so-called Defense of Marriage Act (DOMA) and three other federal statutes - Titles 10, 32, and 38 - that preclude the military from providing equal recognition, support, and benefits for all military families. The Department of Justice announced its intention related to the case in a letter sent to Boehner on February 17, 2012, triggering the BLAG to make known its position. To read more, click here.
Pelosi Criticizes Boehner Action in SLDN Case. Meanwhile, House Democratic Leader Nancy Pelosi (D-CA) slammed Boehner's decision to intervene in SLDN's case challenging federal anti-gay marriage laws, charging his decision is discriminatory against gay and lesbian members of the military. To read more, click here.
SLDN on the Road. SLDN Military Advisory Council Co-Chair Paula Neira and Communications Director Zeke Stokes will travel to Philadelphia this weekend to participate in the annual Equality Forum. Neira will be featured on a panel focused on LGBT military equality. For more information, click here.
Coming Up Next Week. The House Armed Services Committee is scheduled to begin its annual mark-up of the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) on Wednesday, May 9. SLDN will be on the front lines as debate begins and will keep you up-to-date as expected hostile amendments emerge from opponents of LGBT military equality.
05-04-12 By Zeke Stokes, SLDN Communications Director |
